It took a long time this morning for the nausea to settle, knowing how harsh life will now be for these beautiful people.
The friendliest staff at the Adhi Darma Hotel.
Connie and Made who were already struggling to find business with their less than luxurious van.
The guides Darma and Agus from Eco Budaya Cycling tour - friendly and highly professional, yet so humble.
The school children that ran over to greet us with such large, innocent grins and giggles.
Eben, the artist in Ubud, whose talent I will soon display proudly on my lounge room wall.
Ketut, a Freestyle guide from North West Bali, who has a 6 month old baby. He sees his wife and child one day a month and at ceremonies.
Segara the gardener, who is such a gentle soul with such a ready smile for guests and work colleagues. He taught us some Balinese so humbly.
Mona the beach seller, that remembers us from last year! Her husband is also a beach seller, her daughter a shop seller and the son is about to finish school. They had hoped to send him to college. I guess that dream just went down the drain.
Jeanette, the widow from Kintamani, with only an unemployed 18 yr old son to help support her. After scrubbing my feet and a calf massage we talk. She then invites me to share her meal. I thought she meant a taste, but no, she INSISTS I have half. Young and beautiful Wayan then offers me some of hers if I am still hungry!
Olga from Legian, who expertly sewed for my sister and me.
The street DVD seller from Lombok who sees his family every 2-3 months when money allows!
And the tout that thanks us for our respect when turning him down. My heart sank with this comment - what do others treat him like in his own country?!!! They are not flies, but individuals trying to make an income.
The waitress in a back alley restaurant. She has her canti 4 yr old daughter and 2 week old son out the back.
And Made the very friendly taxi driver with the two very young children, because the contraception injection failed.
My heart simply aches for the hardship they will all have to endure.
How DARE these extremists invade their peaceful exsistence and f%$# up their lives once again, and just maybe for good! This is not Karma. These people did not do anything to deserve this.
I will return, but I would not put down others that are too scared to. Maybe I'm too fool hardy and/or stubborn to be.