In Reply to: Domestic dogs posted by Imagem on Tuesday, 3. March 2009 at 13:06 Bali Time:
I agree fully with what you are saying, Imagen.
I wanted to add some thoughts I have been having after my last trip.
My trip in Feb this year confirmed to me that my perception of Bali is slowly changing, and unfortunately, not for the better.
My first trip was in 1986, and I soaked up sun, surf, and and quite an amount of food and alcohol. Over the years, the trips to Bali evolved, as I was changing (Well, probably maturing!)
What I have seen, when I bothered to go further than the bars, restaurants, shopping strips and spas, has shocked me. I have dear friends there, for many years, who I adore, but my value system is very different to theirs. They dont raise an eyebrow when a dog is being beaten to its death for food, or because they can. Cock fighting is a tradition there and I hate it, and wont attend. Things you see in the villages over time, make me wonder why I keep going back. I certainly havent surveyed the people of Bali (nor intend to) to see whether my friends lack of empathy is widespread and normal. Not many local people appear to care what goes on ( only a perception, and there's always those that do) and I know too many people there have other pressing concerns to worry about.
I guess what I am saying is my eyes are open further now (with the animal issues) than when I first started going to Bali, and personal opinion only, I struggle sometimes with the different values we share. Is it worth losing my frienships over it? No, it isnt, but I carry a heavy heart sometimes.