Serenity now!!!

Some of you might recognize the title from the lips of Frank Costanza, when he is shouting it out like a maniac...but here in Bali, it really is whimsically serene and clam. Lover and I are staying at a spot called Jati Home Stay. The wonderful thing is that the "bungalow" style rooms are on a family's plot of land, so we are getting a very real life experience every time we go to and from our room. The owners are painters and all the rooms are decorated with stunning classic Balinese art. If only we had a million dollars we would surly by some art here. Bali is brimming with incredible artists.

Luckily for us the room we are in now, is sealed completely. When we first arrived here our room was open at the top, and I was very nervous of a repeat performance of devil spiders. We got to switch rooms as soon as one opened up. Whilst moving our stuff to the new sealed room, I noticed the biggest spider web I have ever seen strung up on the tree right in front of our porch, and lazing the day away was an outrageous spider. Have I mentioned how happy I am about the sealed room???!!!? This spider is different from the Manali and Thai version, but just as horrific. This one actually might be the biggest yet, with a body like a butterfly and legs like long spindly wooden sticks. At my exasperated gasp, one of the guys that lives there came over to see what the problem was. Of course he was all "oh, that? No problem." ummmzzzttzzt..I am thinking "yeah, no problem, your lucky we are in a sealed room now, or else the problem would be my glass shattering scream if I saw that thing in our room!!"

On that note, the rooms are lovely and every last bit of the room and furniture is made out of bamboo. It is quite impressive and beautiful. We actually have hot water, so much so that I have to turn it down! The room also has a porch, overlooking the spider and rice paddy fields. It is very quiet and peaceful.

As far as serenity goes though..the people that live on the land could not seem more content. One old Balinese woman spends her day sitting on the stoop chatting to the other ladies around, while weaving little palm leave dishes. She does this everyday. The dishes are then filled with collected flowers and incense, and at sunset she wanders around the property placing out these little offerings to the gods for protection and I assume even more serenity. She gives each little dish a blessing as well. This is her life. Everyday the same palm leave dishes, the same offerings, the same holy beliefs, and she has a constant true smile on her face. It is amazing.

Serenity now!
xoxoxo
Alicia Claire