The internet has been down at my residence since last night. I feel terribly handicapped by this inconvenience! Ubud is flooded with people who have come for the Bali Spirit Festival and they’re all here with their internet accessible phones, computers, etc. The additional activity has evidently put a strain on the system. But here at the Atman Kafe the internet is alive and well, another reason I love this place! I came here first thing this morning to plug in and immediately ordered coffee. It came with this surprise:
How sweet is that! I am delighted and my server is so pleased to have surprised me. Have I mentioned that I love this place!
After a short time of sipping coffee and answering e-mails I am joined by a nineteen-year-old girl from Berlin. Amalia. She has been traveling for seven months. She spent time working in Australia then went to New Zealand to mountain climb on the glaciers, sky-dive, and do some hang-gliding off cliffs. Timid soul! She leaves to return to her family in Germany in six days and she admits she is lonesome. She reminds me of a 19 year-old in the 60’s who left her Minnesota home to live in Hawaii. But I somehow talked my best friend, Diana, into going with me!
I am amazed at the number of women I meet who have opted for traveling alone. We are here in droves, all ages, not running from…not looking for…just being who we are without constraint or compromise. It is an empowered sisterhood of kindred souls. From this perspective, half a world away from home, the globe shrinks to a companionable size. Imagining possibilities comes naturally. Dreams are allowed, encouraged, nurtured. We share them with one another, almost apologetically at first, shocking ourselves with the boldness of them. But in the sharing they become more real. And somehow, we too become more real.
writing for self-discovery 
Mar 28, 2012 @ 09:10:57
It has been nearly twenty years since I traveled solo through Southeast Asia and every step of your journey is reminiscent of my travels. The harrowing motorcycle rides, unusual insects, delicious foods, the kind-hearted Balinese, the aggressive monkeys, etc… I can see that Ubud has not lost it’s beauty or serenity, however it does appear more touristy than it used to be. You have discovered what I call the “traveler’s highway” where opportunities to meet all sorts of interesting people abound. Women were scarce, as were Americans, when I made the journey, so I’m glad to know there seems to be an abundance of them now. The internet did not exist when I was there and it has certainly made the world a much smaller, more accessible place. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
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