I have just returned from two weeks built around the the Writers Festival in Ubud. At first I was disappointed about the line up of authors because very few of them were known to me as they were mostly from South East Asia. As it turned out, the discussions were much more interesting than I had expected because of the theme which was, SUKA DUKA. When loosely translated it means Compassion and Solidarity. This became immensly interesting to me as the discussions between INdonesians, Balinese and Austtralians, headed by many journalists who have their own methods of getting to the heart of the matter, left me with a clear understanding of how the Balinese society is structured and just why they live their life as they do. MAny of you will already know this, but on my previous trips, this information has alluded me.
HOwever this new knowledge was begun with a wonderful driver who was recommended by someone on this forum, and whose name I didnt write down, so if you are reading this, I say a big thankyou.
Wayan Sukerta was recommended as someone who has a strong knowledge of Balinese life, has worked overseas and has his own car. His name just jumped off the page to me and he turned out to be a 'diamond'. HE took us into the mountains, through villages where we saw the craftsmen working, the old lifestyle of Bali, temples where there wern't any other people, and was able to answer every question we posed. We had a beautiful day in Sanur and sat in the Bali HYat in those famous gardens and talked about his life and then told jokes.His English is the best I have come across on previous trips. We had a wonderful time filled with unexpected moments and beautiful smiles.
As for Ubud, it is three years since my last trip and the difference is remarkable. there are so many tourists now and girls shoving pamphlets under our noses abvout massage all along the Monkey forest road was very annoying.We even had to wait in a queue for dinner at IBU Rai which along with Wayans is still one of my favourites.
So I think that apart from the initial disappointment about unknown writers, the writers' festival was worth going to even though it is exhausting going from one venue to another and being hastled by drivers outside as soon as you step on the footpath.
i don't know how to make my email Address available in case anyone wants to know more about the wonderful Wayan, so if you are interested, let me know and please tell me how to do it.
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