BALI PARADISE POTRAIT
Bali Paradise Potrait article.First
came to Bali in 1986 and lived in the village of Penestanan near
Ubud. Among all the vivid and challenging experiences of a newly-
arrived tourist, I noyiced that people called me Tamu or Guest.
I had lived in several other places around asia before this time
and I had been called many other things, most of which were not
nearly as pleasant as : guest: and so I appreciated this graciousness.
As I've lived here over the yeras, I've gained
a deeper understanding that this linguistic custom is not a formality
but reflects a more basic quality of Balinese culture. As I moved
around the island and lived in different situations I was always
wlcomed in the same way. And despite all the confusion I inadvertenly
caused as I tired to learn the ways of Balinese life, I was always
treated with patience and with a spirit of accommodation in some
cases my presence was valued simply as entertainment and as a break
from the routine.
I'm sure that I've been the subject of a substantial
amount of good-natured teasing whether I know it at the time or
not, but at other times I noticed that people were really curious
to know about my world and how people really lived in it. I've been
asked every conceivable question about life outside Bali. For Example
people have wanted to know what it feels like to drive a car in
a snowstorm, or how it fells to be so far away from family. I,ve
been asked many questions about personal relationship in western
culture, some that could be printed in this magazine and some that
could not.
I've always respected this attitude of curiosity
the Balinese have toward differences between themselves and the
many guests to their island The Balinese could easily react with
fear and anger toward attitudes and beliefs that are different from
their own, especially when faced with such a high saturation of
them. But its to the credit of the Balinese people that they are
been able to maintain their natural curiosity and accommodating
spirit. It's my deepest hope that they will be able to preserve
this special quality for the future. Be welcomed in 2006. Other
articles you can find at http://www.balitraveling.com/articles.htm
By Bruce Granquist.
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