Only in Bali

The scent of burning trash, burning incense, two stroke engines, and tropical everything overwhelmed my nose as I stepped out of the airport and into the refreshingly humid air. Ahhh Bali, nowhere else on the planet smells the way it smells here. Is it a good smell? Mmmm that’s debatable, but because it’s unique to Bali I love it. I was greeted at the airport by my friend Dewa who was holding a large sign reading “Kate Olson” in intricately decorated block letters. He already knew me, but it’s customary to make a sign if you are picking someone up in the airport. Since everyone in Bali seems to be blessed with the creative gene, the sea of signs as you exit looks more like an exhibit at MOMA than an airport greeting area. Only in Bali. We toss my bags into Dewa’s car, and I attempt to get into the driver’s seat forgetting that they drive on the other side of the road. Soon we are the main road quickly leaving the large city of Denpasar, headed towards the hilly jungle town of Ubud. I stick my head out the window like a puppy dog and giggle as we weave in and out of traffic, narrowly avoiding motorbikes packed with entire families. It’s 1am as we cruise by a motor bike with three teenagers all in barefeet……”don’t they have school tomorrow?” I say to Dewa. He just shrugs. “Oh yeah, I’m in Bali,” I remember, life is a little different here. In unison they wave and flash me some of the widest smiles I’ve ever seen. I grin and wave back, their smiles reminding me exactly what it is I love about Bali so much; the people and the way they live their lives.

By the time we make it to Ubud, I am nearly asleep. As I walk the narrow path to my new home my senses begin to awaken again. Out in front of me lies the most incredible landscape I have ever seen. The jungle trees look like silver shadows as they bask in the moons light while a symphony of insects serenades the few sleeping souls. I am perched high up on a ridge that overlooks and ocean of palm trees and cascading rice paddies. Far in the distance three majestic volcanoes rise up toward the sky. A small spiritual offering with a stick of incense still burning sits in front of my door. Just to the left is a gorgeous statue of a Hindu goddess dressed in freshly picked flowers. I sense mystery and magic everywhere. Only in Bali.