Our driver from the hotel was told to take us to Ubud and stop anywhere we wanted along the way. We were excited at the prospect, but our driver did not speak English very well so we had a few communication problems. He did, however, provide us with one of the best surprises.
I've been thinking for several days that it would be wonderful to see a Balinese school which I could compare to the Muslim schools I will be attending in Jakarta and Tangerang. I knew yesterday was the Balinese students' first day of school so it was taking a big risk. I asked our driver if he could take us to a school to observe. He drove us to a school just outside Sanur and spoke briefly to a man at the gate who gave us a nod. I expected the driver to escort us in to the school and help translate for us, but he waved us on.
It was clearly a break as children were everywhere eating and playing. They stared, smiled, and waved from all four floors of the school. We looked around nervously for any adult. One woman saw us, but continued on her way. We obviously couldn't read the signs and it became quickly evident that most of the children could not communicate more than, "Hello!"
Eventually we found a man (who we later discovered was a drawing teacher), but he knew little to no English. Fortunately, he passed us on to Dr. Pujana, a 6th grade teacher. Mr. Pujana was rather confused at our presence at first, but kindly brought us in to the office to have us sign in. The office was filled (really filled!) with trophies. A few office staff barely acknowledged us before Mr. Pujana took us back outside.
We watched as the children flocked to him taking his hand and placing it to their foreheads. Clearly, it was a sign of respect. All the children smiled and giggled at us. Mr. Pujana explained that this was an elementary school. There was a morning and afternoon session and that 1100 students attended the school. There were approximately 700 present during our visit.
The students were very eager to approach us and smile and say hello, but when Mr. Pujana encouraged them to try to speak in English, they got very shy. He took us in to at least eight different classrooms and explained more information along the way. Each class had at least forty students. Students take 12 classes, such as religion, art, music, math, English (although they only study English for 40 minutes three days a week).
All of the children were beautiful. The youngest students fought just to shake our hands. The older students mostly giggled. Mr. Pujana had us speak to a few classes. We put our names on the board and then wrote, "California, USA". The students' eyes widened when they saw "California" and they all broke out in to applause.
It was hilarious to see that kids are kids no matter where you are in the world. We could establish the class clown, the know-it-all, the leader in several of the classes we went in to. We especially enjoyed going to an English class. I think the English teacher was a little unnerved having us listen to her, but she did beautifully. Students got up one at a time and said their address, phone number, and a hobby. They also sang to us under Mr. Pujana's direction. He was hilarious. I didn't need to speak the language to tell he is an animated, fantastic teacher.
Near the end of our tour, Mr. Pujana took us past the clinic (nurse's station), student store, cafeteria (several areas to buy food), and the music class. We were in awe watching a room full of young boys playing the classic Balinese instruments as their teacher acted out traditional dance. They were very focused and extraordinarily good. We thanked Mr. Pujana profusely knowing we had caused quite a commotion within the school. Everyone was welcoming and kind and waved and yelled goodbye as we left. What a remarkable and unexpected experience!
Next, our driver headed to Ubud. My husband saw a travel show which insisted the best pork in the world is at a restaurant called Ibu Oka. We headed there for the pork special, which included pork that is chopped from the pig with a massive knife, its crisp skin, veggies, and rice.
Upon entering, you remove your shoes and sit on the floor around a table. It wasn't long before we had our specials, which you are to eat only with your hands. My husband had found his moment of zen. As he polished off his plate, he asked, "Would you be embarrassed if I ordered another?" I think there was a pig joke, but I conceded to allow him to stuff himself further.
We decided it was time to head to our hotel, Alam Ubud Culture Villas. Our driver was lost and had to ask for help a couple of times, but our arrival was worth waiting for. We entered a dream world. We were warmly greeted and asked to sit. They then gave us the most wonderful foot wash in flowered water. We were also given aromatic washcloths for our hands and face and a fabulous drink made of ginger, lemon grass, and sprite. We already felt in heaven!
When we looked over the edge, we couldn't believe our eyes - an infinity pool surrounded by nothing but forest. Breathtaking. We were then whisked to a golf cart and driven to our villa. We entered our first gate, then a second, and then our gorgeous villa. As he showed us our canopy bed, flower-filled bath, balcony, etc. I wanted to ask, "Are you sure this is for us?" Surely educators don't deserve all this... then again, maybe they do.
We opened our balcony doors and laid on our bed listening to the sounds of the jungle and we were both soon sound asleep. Blissful rest.
It was time to get up and explore. We soon met Ade, our new driver and our favorite thus far. He was genuinely cheerful and young and eager to help us with whatever we wanted. I felt the world was trying to tell me something with the name Ketut the last few days, so I asked Ade if he happened to know Ketut Liyer, the medicine man (from Eat, Pray, Love). Ade said, "Yes! Would you like to go see him?" What?! Seriously?! I childishly screamed, "Yes, please!"
Ade drove us through back streets to a remote area. Unbelievably, we were at Ketut's home. We went in and sat on a mat admiring all of his bird and plant life while waiting to meet him. Before I knew it, I was sitting in front of the 96 year old medicine man.
Ketut smiled revealing only two rotted teeth and asked where I came from. I told him the United States and he said, "Oooohhhh. Very good." Ketut asked me a series of questions and examined my hand telling me about my life line and fortune. He also examined my legs and back further explaining information about my present and future. I tried to remain calm as Ketut revealed many truths about my life, most of which will remain between me and this sweet man.
For all his years, Ketut moves well, speaks well, and is remarkably funny. When leaving Ketut's home, Ade explained that you can take what you will from his messages. It would be easy to walk away and say it was just fun, but I choose to believe in Ketut and this place. My heart just says so.
Ade then dropped us at Ubud Square. We reviewed the menu of a restaurant (Pindu Pindu - the name is important) Ade recommended and decided we would come back. We started to wander through the streets shopping/haggling. There were endless shops.
After some convincing to my husband, we journeyed to Monkey Forest. (He claimed it "freaked him out".) I bought some bananas from a woman and she instructed to take one off at a time. As we entered the forest, it was dusk and suddenly dozens and dozens of monkeys appeared. I'll be honest, I panicked as they approached. I threw one banana, but they were still coming at me so I frantically threw another and another and another. Within 90 seconds, I had screamed and sacrificed all of my bananas.
During my retreat I managed to step in to a hole and scape the back of my heal. I instantly had visions of "monkey fever". Bleeding and sufficiently freaked out, I decided it was time to make our exit which my husband happily welcomed.
Our night did not get better as we found ourselves completely lost and could not remember the name of the restaurant Ade had given us. We plotted on for what seemed like hours and eventually took a taxi to Ubud Temple (our pick-up spot) where we opted to eat at a nearby restaurant. Then the rain began. Not a sprinkle, but a downpour.
Ade was right on time and we were thrilled to get home, but the many flights of stairs in sandals during the downpour was treacherous. We were so relieved to climb in to bed until two a.m. I heard my husband and saw his phone go on. Water had dripped on his head! He thought he was dreaming, but the downpour had caused a small leak just over him. Fortunately, the bed is big and we could shift to find comfort, but not before discovering the power was out. Hopefully rest would bring better fortune tomorrow.
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I think it is so amazing that you met Ketut! I can't wait to hear more about that! Your journey so far looks fantastic! I hope to comment more soon - I am burried in boxes! Have fun! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteCindy :)
PS - I warned you about the monkeys! :)