In Reply to: Drifting, Drifting, Drifting...... posted by Cracker on Friday, 22. April 2005 at 19:58 Bali Time:
Bali is different things to different people. My love affair began in the 80's. Still under immense stress a year and a half after losing my young son in a car accident my boss suggested I get right away from it all for a couple of weeks, he said he would pay my air fare.(lovely man)
My sister and I went to Bali. After some initial trepidation, first time overseas and all of that, I found myself smiling and laughing with the local people in Nusa Dua Village. We found a small warung where the family cooked for us and after we had eaten the children would join us at the wood slab table for english lessons and we learnt some basic Balinese. Dad was so desperate for his children to get an education and have a chance in the world. I learnt of their struggles to keep their small business from becoming part of the nusa dua enclave, if this happened they would receive no compensation they would just have to pack up and move on.
We were honoured to find a new "sister" her words in the small village outside our hotel. I made friends that became family over the next 15 years. I left Bali in tears that year but with a lightness in my heart that I hadn't had for over a year, I learnt to recall the wonderfull times with my son with a smile and though the pain never goes away no matter how many years pass, it became easier to bear.
Bali is special to me for many reasons but yes I have had some concerns recently with the drug arrests and so forth. We are taking my daughter and granddaughter to Bali in November and the thoughts of "could that happen to us, could someone place something in our bags" drift in to my mind occasionally.
It's sad that these things can effect the joy of something that you are wanting to do. I feel for SC I feel that she is probably innocent, I feel so deeply for the families of those kids that have been arrested, Bali will have a different meaning to them.
Thanks Cracker, we are going in November, I will probably drive everyone a little crazy being security concious but reading your words this morning just reinforced my desires to get back as soon as possible.
CBE
Coco