seventeen - hi, i'm alive

okay, i'm not sure how much time i'm going to have in my last few days in bali... my last few days in indonesia. the internet cafe is a walkable distance, even though we're now in homestays (since wednesday), but i only seem to have free time at night... and walking home at night amongst throngs of barking dogs frightens me a little. we're all having trouble even walking around the block from the Cudamani (they are a gamelan music group that we're close with) compound back to Ketut Liyer's.

i'm mixed about leaving indonesia. there's no doubt that i really miss each and every one of you back at home, but there is something about this island of bali that just makes me want to stay and work for one of the many exciting NGOs here. there is such a rich culture on this island and i've only hit the tip of iceberg in learning about it. hinduism here is so interesting here, and since i'm a half-baked hindu (you know how it is, growin' up in the US), i just want to learn from them, learn more about their specific, interesting rituals and beliefs. already i see the similarities and differences with hinduism in india...

last night, Gusde, our lovely indonesian tour guide, arranged balinese dance lessons for us... it was grueling even for such beginner steps! the two young ladies teaching us were very patient and that was a great experience i will treasure. Gusde played his gamelan instrument for us so we could keep time... (which reminds me, i watched them practice two nights ago and it was magical.) in return, i did ganapati kavutvam sans music, after a year of disuse. :) turns out Cudamani is going to do a gamelan-Bharatnatyam mash-up starting this week with a group from Minneapolis. Interesting. all of the music and art culture here only makes me want to get GOOD -- not half-baked -- at either music or dance. sigh. something to think about when i get back...

yes, i'm living with ketut liyer, the medicine man from eat, pray, love. more like, avery, jill, and i are living in the back of the compound with ketut's familia, which includes a cute lil baby girl named deya... we each have our own room (desk fan, whoo!) and bathroom. unfortunately, my bathroom comes with my pet roach alfred. taking showers is terrifying.

though i have been interacting with the family, it's not as great as my homestay in yogya, where i felt like a part of the family. i feel like i'm in a hotel, and that's not just cause we have nice rooms compared to others. i feel like a customer, more than a family person or guest.. sigh. oh well.

i did have my palm read two days ago, too. he said many of his generic things, but apparently i do have good karma and will be successful. he also said some really interestingly specific things. ask me about it when i get home. it's been a long day (i'm muddy from going to the organic farming NGO today and helping out) and i should really wash up my filthy shoes and feet.

much love from bali--

nina