I was paged at the MSP airport and told I was denied boarding. I asked myself how this could happen when I’d been planning for Bali for a year. Eventually, the visa question was qualifiedly cleared up, the flights went without a hitch, my room at the Singapore transit hotel was upgraded and I saw Sherry’s smiling face on arrival in Denpasar.
The drive north and inland to the town of Ubud was both familiar and disorienting after the 32-hour overseas trip. On arrival, I was introduced to my new home and it’s owner, Sumantra. It’s a small but comfortable room and has stunning views from the balcony of gardens, temples and across acres of red rooftops.
One patio view
It was not an auspicious start when we blew the power by plugging in my power strip to recharge electronics before heading out for a walk and lunch.
The scooter, car and construction noise mixed with the color and smells of shops and restaurants as we walked down the now-familiar and still broken-apart Hanoman street in the afternoon heat. Edging through my fatigue was also the question “What am I doing here”? We sat at Altmans restaurant where I was served a coconut with the top lopped off. I drank thirstily.
A natural electrolyte booster
Then on we went to the money changer with his back-room counter and calculator where I walked away with a tremendous clutch of bills – 1250 Rp. per $100 bill. I returned home to unpack and then celebrated with a cold Bintang on my patio. My internal dialogue settled into a place of “Ahhhhhhhh, this is right”.
This feeling was even more pronounced after a good night’s sleep and breakfast with Kopi (coffee) on my patio. The roosters wakened me repeatedly starting at 3:00 and were accompanied by the pet mynah bird squawking (who knew?) and soon after, the cicadas buzzed an electrical tune for an hour. I traded a mini kitchen for air con which provides a sheer curtain against early-morning noise as well as a couple of hrs away from the heat of the day to read and write.
This morning I was picked up on a moped by Sherry’s good friend, Ketut, for an adventurous drive to Bayu’s restaurant. She had invited me to be her guest at her writers’ group and I enjoyed 
hearing others read words they’d written and to, unexpectedly, share a piece of mine. On leaving, I was encouraged to write more and to join the group during my stay. Hmmmmmm.
Bayu’s Restaurant
A trip to Coco’s (THE) grocery store, and a blister from incorrect shoes for the unexpected walk home, left me tired and sore, wondering how far I could go for dinner tonight. Perhaps it will be bungkus (boonkoos/takeout). PostScript…perfect, Sherry brought me a yoga mat and bungkus and stayed for a nice visit.
And now, a cool breeze blows across my balcony. Neighborhood children sound the same everywhere…..just a different language. The clouds build over the volcanoes to my right and darkness prepares to settle over Ubud. Ahhhhh, there sounds the rooster again.
Namaste,
Sharon
SAGEBLESSINGS 
Reblogged this on writing for self-discovery and commented:
Sharon arrived looking amazing after her 30 plus hour flight. She came for the Yoga and Writing Retreat last year and is here again this year! But this time she’s staying in Bali for nearly two months and she has decided to blog about her time here. Read about her first day…and night!
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Sharon, a trip down memory lane for me too, thank you, lovely writing, Enjoy your wonderful adventure !!!!
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Thank you Barbara. Yes , it is good to be back.
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Nice to see you made it there ok. unlike waiting to see winter to end, you can look forward to a new Bali season to enjoy, spring, {sprungle} that’s a spring and jungle type season, a little stretchy? Once you get your island legs working I’m sure your time will past much to quickly. Enjoy!
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Thanks for your good wishes. You are so creative…..I love your word “sprungle”. I will need to find a place to use it.
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HI Sharon,
Delighted to hear from you and sooo happy you weathered the trip over so well. Your photos are so helpful in seeing where you are; sending light, love and blessings your way!
Love, Nancy
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Thanks nancy for your comments as well as your blessings. Both appreciated.
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Sharon,
How lovely you can embrace Bali once again. I imagine it will be a new adventure this time building on memories already cherished.
Best to you,
Terri
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….and it embraces me. It is good to have the extra time so no rush to do anything. Thanks for your thoughts and wishes.
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Hey, this is awesome! Not the part about the denied boarding though, especially after the hassles getting the seat!!! However, sounds like you managed well and have also managed to let that go now in favor of much more wonderful stuff! Glad you are safe, sound and happy!!! We love you! Mike, Tracie and Shelly
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I let it go the second The flight left the ground. Thanks all three for the good wishes. So much here I recognize…other is new. Settled right in with no jet lag. Amazing, I think.
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Thanks Pat. It’s 6:00 am and I’m on balcony listening to the wake-up calls.
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Excitement! Today I got your Feb. 15th blog, not via email,(although I’ve signed up for it
at least 4-5 times), but by entering sage blessings.com. Maybe it just had to crawl to me
on Bali time giving me a message about my impatience. I will relax and hope I can continue
to get your beautiful descriptions of all that you are taking in. It’s a wonderful way to wake up each morning.
love,
Pat
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Glad to hear that you made it back after such a long journey… Enjoy your time there, and the retreat. Hope to see you there soon!
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Retreat starts tomorrow. Gorgeous retreat center. Just saw the most stunning sunset. When do you arrive?
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Tomorrow night 😉
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