Where do I begin with Bali? I have been back in Australia for about 8 hours and I already want to go back. I plan to post separate blogs about things I did there; which include visiting a monkey forest, white water rafting, elephant safari, temple tours and Bali coffee tasting. There were also the small in between things that I got to experience. First off, we were able to stay in a hotel rather than a hostel for the first time in a while. We were greeted with flowers, cold towels and drinks. We got in the car and the roads were actually a free for all. I was shocked I didn't see any accidents in the short time that I was there. The streets were filled with motorcycles that would maneuver the roads in any directions they wanted, weaving in and out of cars and driving in the wrong direction just to avoid traffic. Also, these mopeds were sometimes driven by kids that couldn't be older than 10 and some had 3-4 people on just one standard bike! Most of the time the riders did not have helmets on. You also saw the occasional trucks with people crammed into the bed of the truck.
The walk to the downtown area was flooded with small shops and people yelling out "Massage? Mushrooms? Ride?" For the most part, and not to much surprise, the people in the shops were all extremely pushy. You had the people who would call you beautiful, tell you they loved Obama or that you had great name. Then you also had the people who would curse you out when you didn't buy anything. It can be a little frightening when they get so angered. I personally bartered the least with the few stores that didn't push you to buy anything and on the hand, the extra pushy people made me get just as pushy back. They seem to expect us all to be loaded with money and become angered that we are "so cheap" when it comes to buying things; half of the time I didn't buy things because I did not like their selection and wouldn't buy it anywhere at no matter what the price, or the other half of the time they were asking for the equivalent of $45 for fake sunglasses, or other cheaply made products, that you could buy at Forever 21 for $5 most.
There were people who genuinely were infatuated with America. We had two separate occasions of people ask to take a picture with us because we were American. We were also asked why we studied abroad in Australia, when America was "so powerful." Most ask about New York and Los Angeles and would sometimes say with envy how they hope they get to see it or that they knew someone who had gone to America.
There were definitely mixed emotions when visiting Bali. At times I would feel bad for these people but some were just trying to take advantage of you and its hard to justify whether they have the right to for them to make a living or if it is at times unnecessary and just plain cruel. You didn't want to give them the impression you were cheap but you also didn't want to be walked all over because this was their job and they quickly learned to say cheesy lines to get any money out of you. Also, one minute you wanted a massage because of all the stairs you had walked for a white water rafting tour you signed up for at your own leisure meanwhile you recognize that there were just women carrying at least 20 helmets and life jackets, in a bag on their head, up the same stairs you climbed and yet were probably not saying "I'm getting a massage after this." (I personally experienced my first and last full body massage because I was way too ticklish to lie still.)
Overall, Bali has some really beautiful people and some truly talented artists that are deserving and grateful of the money and therefore I believe the "good" outweighs the "bad." The paintings, wood carvings, cloth making, and jewelry shops were amazing. You witness the work they put in at those types of places as they create pieces or art in front of your face. I would comment how beautiful their pieces were or use "suksma" instead of "thank-you" and they would respond with the biggest smiles. I think if I went back to Bali it would be an even better experience because I would know better where and how to spend my money.
The walk to the downtown area was flooded with small shops and people yelling out "Massage? Mushrooms? Ride?" For the most part, and not to much surprise, the people in the shops were all extremely pushy. You had the people who would call you beautiful, tell you they loved Obama or that you had great name. Then you also had the people who would curse you out when you didn't buy anything. It can be a little frightening when they get so angered. I personally bartered the least with the few stores that didn't push you to buy anything and on the hand, the extra pushy people made me get just as pushy back. They seem to expect us all to be loaded with money and become angered that we are "so cheap" when it comes to buying things; half of the time I didn't buy things because I did not like their selection and wouldn't buy it anywhere at no matter what the price, or the other half of the time they were asking for the equivalent of $45 for fake sunglasses, or other cheaply made products, that you could buy at Forever 21 for $5 most.
There were people who genuinely were infatuated with America. We had two separate occasions of people ask to take a picture with us because we were American. We were also asked why we studied abroad in Australia, when America was "so powerful." Most ask about New York and Los Angeles and would sometimes say with envy how they hope they get to see it or that they knew someone who had gone to America.
There were definitely mixed emotions when visiting Bali. At times I would feel bad for these people but some were just trying to take advantage of you and its hard to justify whether they have the right to for them to make a living or if it is at times unnecessary and just plain cruel. You didn't want to give them the impression you were cheap but you also didn't want to be walked all over because this was their job and they quickly learned to say cheesy lines to get any money out of you. Also, one minute you wanted a massage because of all the stairs you had walked for a white water rafting tour you signed up for at your own leisure meanwhile you recognize that there were just women carrying at least 20 helmets and life jackets, in a bag on their head, up the same stairs you climbed and yet were probably not saying "I'm getting a massage after this." (I personally experienced my first and last full body massage because I was way too ticklish to lie still.)
Overall, Bali has some really beautiful people and some truly talented artists that are deserving and grateful of the money and therefore I believe the "good" outweighs the "bad." The paintings, wood carvings, cloth making, and jewelry shops were amazing. You witness the work they put in at those types of places as they create pieces or art in front of your face. I would comment how beautiful their pieces were or use "suksma" instead of "thank-you" and they would respond with the biggest smiles. I think if I went back to Bali it would be an even better experience because I would know better where and how to spend my money.
A smaller truck with a few extra passengers and helmet-less motorcyclist waiting for the parade of Hindus making their way for the temple.
One of the many daily offerings.
I found all of the rice paddies to be absolutely breathtaking.
There were stray medium sized dogs everywhere, along with cats and chickens.
A part of the Mother Temple in Ubud.