Notes On Bali

I just got back from Bali yesterday, and can I say - WOW - I had no idea what I was in for. I'm always a bit wary of traveling to 3rd world countries for a holiday. I always seem to find myself stuck somewhere between the slums and paradise, between guilt and pleasure. I feel I am tearing through the community of this poor, starving country, exploiting their resources for the benefit of my luxurious hotel stay. Not so in Bali. While tourism is certainly an industry that's a necessary evil to most muslims - we all remember the bombings a few years back - I never felt as though I was pillaging the balinese people of the things they value by being there. I never felt unsafe or afraid. Most are very good at English, and I was lucky enough to hear their thoughts on foreign tourism, and what they truly thought of us encroaching on their culture. Our cab driver, Made, (who, by the way, drove us down to Dreamland, waited about 6 hours, then took us to Jimbaran for dinner, waited another 3 hours, and drove us home for 20 bucks total) said that most of the Balinese people really appreciate the tourism, and the only time it falls short is when (mostly Japanese) vacationers don't really take the time to visit local businesses, hire local taxis, or eat at local restaurants. When they buy these package deals that bring them on busses to resorts, and back to the airports, they never actually get a chance to meet locals, or to give back to the community in any way. The place I was truly struck by the beauty of not only the land, but of the Indonesian culture was in the Gili Islands. No cars, no cops, no rules, and ironically enough, no crime. Chatting with Boi, a local guy from Lombak, who dreamed of one day visiting Australia, I realized how incredibly difficult - rather, nearly impossible - it must be for people to get out. Even still, he seemed completely content, smiling and laughing and playing us Bob Marly off his cell phone. Looking out onto the clear blue waters, fisherman searching for their daily catch, hearing the guitars and the clapping, the songs in the distance, it was nice to know that this world existed for some. This world where people are simply happy to have one another. Their friends, their families. And for me, in that moment, even if for only a short while, I felt lucky to be a part of it.