One of the greatest things about volunteering at Jiwa Damai along with other Balinese workers is that I was able to become friends with locals. Made (pronounced Mad-e) and Putu were two of the kitchen workers who cooked us amazing Balinese dishes, much of it coming straight from the garden I watered every day. Nearing …
I never thought I’d say that I’ve cleaned elephants before. Okay, so they weren’t real elephants. As a break from our usual work in the garden, Margret asks if one of us volunteers would be willing to clean “her elephants” – there are four large elephant statues scattered on Jiwa Damai’s property. I thought this …
It happens. There is a thing called traveler’s sickness – literally – and basically it’s when your body rejects the new bacteria and environment it’s exposed to and freaks out for a moment. I had this experience for the first time at Jiwa Damai.
It’s our second day off. We have a couple of ideas for today, such as an elephant safari. But we find out it costs $68 for only a thirty minute ride. So Max and I go with taking a motorbike ride to a nearby waterfall called Tegenungan. We take pictures of google maps before heading …
Today is our first day off. At breakfast, Margret gives Max and I easy verbal instructions to get to Ubud. Then we’re off. Max fits right in with the Balinese driving scene. He winds through traffic erratically just like everyone else. At least he has good control of the motorbike. Except for when the road clears …
This morning, Margret asks the three of us to do a special task for her. She wants us to clean out the trash down at the river that lines the back of Jiwa Damai. Jiwa Damai’s neighbors would dispose of their trash in their backyards. Yes, it was within their property, but often the trash …
Today is Catherine’s day off. It’s weird not having Catherine around. People keep asking where she is. I keep finding moments where I’m really sure what to do because she’s not around for me to ask questions. But I think Max and I are doing pretty well without her guidance. I start off the day …
I’m surprised by how quickly I fall into routine with life at Jiwa Damai. It’s my first official day as a volunteer at Jiwa Damai. I start the day off with yoga and meditation again. And this time Max joins. I can tell I’m a little sore today, but I stick through all the positions. I …
Max and I left L.A. Wednesday night at 10:20pm. Now its Saturday, our second day in Bali but our first full day here at Jiwa Damai. We can’t believe we skipped four days so easily. We definitely time traveled a bit. I woke up 3 times (or was it twice?) to go to the bathroom …
My good pal from high school, Max, and I were lucky to find a round-trip ticket to Bali, Indonesia for only $809. But that also meant we had two stops along the way: one in the Philippines and another in Singapore. Each carrying only a small duffle bag and a backpack, we leave the airport …