When it all gets hard…
Sometimes I get a little edgy, a bit grumpy, bit over it. Our tours can be a little out of our western comfort zone. Especially if this is your first time.
Living in a tropical, jungle environment with all the associated issues, bugs, geckos, weird noises – confronting. Eating street food, visiting markets and temples – sensory overload. Not to mention the weather and humidity. It all adds up!
For some of us who are used to being by ourselves just being with other people all day every day, can be tiresome. Our experiences of different culture and the subtle differences in language and customs and values, can also unsettle and overstimulate us. The different environment, and how that effects our sleep, also the party-type overindulgence of a tour makes us tired, and a bit fragile.
Lastly, the different spicy food and how that settles in our bodies, the traffic, the intensity of everything being so different, and the processing of that. Understandably, we all get tired and a little grumpy.
Usually this occurs around day four or five.
There is a lot to process here on earth and we very quickly learn about Balance.
Balance underpins everything in Balinese culture. The Balinese work very hard to maintain the balance with their ceremonies and offerings. After every tragedy that has struck their culture, a series of important, expensive rituals are performed to maintain harmony.
After the volcano erupted in the 1960s which killed lots of people and destroyed villages, a huge purification ceremony went on in every temple in Bali. Many offerings were sacrificed. One of every animal on the island was blessed and sacrificed at the mother temple, Besakih. Elaborate huge offerings were placed and many prayers and mantras were said by the priests and everyone across Bali.
From huge ceremonies to simple everyday ones, the placing of offerings (small woven baskets full of food and flowers) seeks to maintain the balance and appease the gods. In the family temple and around the compound twice a day everyone in the family participates.
Being in this environment teaches us about balance, maintaining equilibrium both inside and outside ourselves. Feast with famine, quiet with chaotic, hot with cool, dry with wet, etc.
When I design my tours I take into account time for rest, swims, regular food and drinks, early nights and massages. All things that bring about and help to restore balance.
Sometimes this is not enough, so I go the extra mile. We visit a 5-star hotel, with a huge infinity pool, gorgeous staff, luxurious couches, amazing food, and delicious cocktails.
This works wonders, changes the whole vibe.