I'll take you in my backpack

12/31/17 I woke up this morning, feeling not like the other mornings in Bali. Like someone throw me a Xanax and quick!  An intense morose feeling had crept into my body and I was trying to balance that while also appreciating the last moments that I had on this precious island. I thoroughly enjoyed my last delicious (cooked/prepared for me) breakfast. Have I mentioned that fruit?! I surely will not forget that fruit! I enjoyed a conversation with Ogy talking about his wedding, my stay here and how it was so wonderful because of him, his family, the villa, and wishing him well on his upcoming wedding. Sadly Made couldn't take me to the airport to drop me off, his in laws became ill and he had to tend to them, he sent me a message late in the evening letting me know, so I had a new person transporting me. Perhaps for the better. I'm not certain that my heart could take the sadness of saying goodbye to my sweet friend. I think the Universe knows how to take care of yo...

12/30/17 I don't know how this happened. I remember the first day in Bali like it was yesterday. I remember thinking how I had SO many days to be here. And now it's like I blinked and it's over. I have so many wonderful memories imprinted on my heart and soul, I'm leaving here a different person, yet still, I simply don't know how my time here is over. My last full day in Bali. I went into today really consciously focusing on all of the things that are important to me here, the things that I will miss so much, making sure to take time to appreciate and acknowledge them. The amazing breakfast that Ogy prepares every day with the perfectly cut fruit. The visits from Olek when he sneaks in (and Ogy gets made at him because he dirties the floor but secretly I love his visits and his little playful personality), The offerings that get left at the villa door and all over Bali, the smell from the incense, the friendly "hellos" from people walking by that are ...

12/28/17 Shortly after my delicious breakfast this morning, but before Made arrived to pick me up for adventures, Ogy's mom came in with a basket full of flowers, holy water, incense and other goodies. Mystery solved. She is the sweet person who has been leaving all of the offerings throughout the villa. This was the first time I noticed them inside the villa. She left one poolside, one in front of the steps, one on the kitchen counter, and many outside.  These offerings (not just in my villa but everywhere in Bali) are something that I will never forget. The beautiful flowers, the sweet smelling incense, the little woven palm baskets that they all sit in, how they are all swept into a pile at the end of the day. The second that I laid eyes on Made this morning I started in on Mt Batur, he tried diversion tactics, he tried flat out "no", he tried refocusing to today's itinerary (waterfalls, a village, and a temple), the man used some of my own tactics I was impres...