anachronistic - adjective - belonging to a time other than what is being portrayed. (Oxford Languages)
Bali, Indonesia is an island of distinct contrasts. It is as though it is involved in a tug-a-war between its past (its own culture influenced by firm belief in Hindi polytheism, the anachronistic side) and its present (Western culture, primarily American). Although seemingly at odds with each other, both have managed to coexist extremely well by allowing each other separate beds in the same garden to grow.
As I was waking up to the heat and humidity (80 degrees F with ninety percent humidity at 9 a.m. soon to become 90 degrees) of Bali, the port in Benoa was painted in tones of grays. Normally colorful, the "jukung" Balienese boats (outrigger canoes) blended into the banal atmosphere. But the monotone look did not last long. It ended with the entrance of our animated tour guide Shoopy, dressed head to toe in red and black, two hues that would repeat themselves throughout the day in the pagoda-style architecture and temples. While inside of the bus, despite being effervescently friendly and completely complimentary (he said one of my seventy-year-old bus mates looked like she was seventeen), as his accent was so pronounced, I could only understand every third word he said: "Seesemmes so fities ah plastic bags, memistro tofememe cookies and coffee." You get the picture.
I did pick up on one entire sentence in English, though: "No money, no honey." Which was pretty much the theme sentence for the day. Other than a few minutes spent at a magical Hindu temple (I had to wear a makeshift sari to hide my knees) and interesting artifacts museum, featuring prehistoric bones and other fossils, we were taken to one shop after the other (most likely owned by the cruise companies) with the sole intention of getting us to improve the Balinese economy. It was something that I did buy into as I pretty much felt sorry for them. In between the splendid, ornate temples, thousands of motor scooters and SUVs were slums and filth despite Bali's being a huge tourist destination.
On the day of our arrival, the city of Denpasar was preparing for their New Year's festival, so the mood was celebratory and decidedly American. Oddly enough in a park across from the temple that we visited, there was a live classic rock concert going on before noon. As we stepped off of the bus, we were serenaded by "Knocking on Heaven's Door" by Guns and Roses (how ironic!) and later "Listen to the Music" by the Doobie Brothers, covers performed perfectly. A Honda 150 rode in front of me, the female driver of which was wearing a UCLA Bruins T-shirt. I had just enough time to give her a thumbs-up and to say, "Yay, Bruins!" Which she probably did not hear. (Although the U.S. may not be universally appreciated these days, I suppose California is still considered to be cool.) Within a block of us was a Burger King, a McDonalds designed to look like a Hindu temple–proof of my opening insight–and a Pizza Hut. Were the locals trying to make us feel more at home (so that we'd spend more)? Or had our culture completely won them over? Who's to say?
Before closing, here are some fun facts I learned about Bali: There are 4.5 million people on the island of 2,230 square miles. Two hundred languages are spoken. Cock fights are allowed, especially during New Year's. The people are highly creative, known for their batiks and woodcarvings, gold and silver jewelry. The "Love" portion of the Hollywood movie Eat, Pray, Love (Julia Roberts) was filmed there. I recognized some of the locations probably because I saw the movie more than once.
Did I like Bali? Yes. And I can't quite say why. Maybe I just appreciate anachronisms, colors that clash.
#Bali, #travel, #cruise ship travel, #Indonesia, #blogger, #blog
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