writing for self-discovery

Sunrise over Lake Imagination – The Farm

You have to know Sudi. He’s the most considerate, kind, cooperative soul ever hatched on the planet. He bends over backward, does flips and handstands, to live peacefully among his neighbors. As he was apologizing and turning off the music, Nina and I were glowering in the background, mentally filleting the ornery gent.

So last night the blues weren’t blasting. They were a subdued, barely audible version of blues. And the conversational peaks and valleys as the family members chattered in Balinese, Indonesian, Dutch, and English, were easily heard. The party honored the arrival of Sudi’s twin brother and his two daughters from Holland, and Nina’s father from Milwaukee. The menu couldn’t have been more American, pizza and beer or Jack Daniels for anyone who was so inclined!

We gathered on the front lawn enjoying the warm night.

In the front yard chowing on pizza

Everyone had finished eating when most of us felt the first tiny droplets of moisture. Nina’s dad chose that precise moment to say, “What a beautiful evening!” We burst into laughter as the bamboo mat was collected and everyone scrambled inside out of the rain.

Nina and her father, Ted

The three brothers
Suda left, Sudi center, Belos right

Ubud is a global village and that was evident in our gathering last night. I visited with Naomi and Amber, Suda’s gorgeous Balinese/Dutch daughters.

Naomi 20, and Amber 17

Their pronunciation is lovely, but every so often they turned to their dad and asked him in Dutch, “What is the English word for ___?” As soon as he answered they were back in the flow. As so often happens here, I was grateful, but embarrassed that the world’s children are required to learn English, while I who grew up speaking it, reap the benefits.

Dewi, in her happy place front and center, is Sudi and Nina’s 6 year old fireball!

Joe is the very grown up, ‘almost’ 13 year old son of Belos and Kadek.

I captured Kadek in a rare moment. I’m told she doesn’t drink beer!

Here’s the same Kadek posing for her installation ceremony. She heads up a local decision-making group of about 200 women. Her makeup is done professionally. “It takes less than one hour!” she tells me!

Ted lounged comfortably as Mark joined the group on the terrace. Mark from Milwaukee, and I, were the two non-family guests.

I think it rained for a while. I’m not sure. I agree with Ted, it was a lovely evening. The point is, whether the rain is coming down in torrents, or the sun is a blinding radiance, it doesn’t matter. It’s Bali, and that’s MY happy place!