The Yoga Retreat – Bali, Indonesia

Crying in front of strangers is almost always uncomfortable and weird. However it was not uncomfortable for the Californian at a yoga retreat in the middle of a jungle in the middle of a rice field in the middle of the island of Bali. And that was weird. The property cascades down a hillside beginning […]

The Mafia, A Childhood Dream, and Two Pizzas – Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

“I think that was a mob boss.” Ride share services such as Uber and Grab do not pickup or drop off in certain areas of Bali. An Uber driver mentioned that this is because the mafia has claim to transportation needs as it gives jobs and commerce to local services. It is not unheard of […]

“I come to watch the sunset.” – Lombok, Indonesia

As the scooter rolled down the cement dock towards him, the driver offered a wide smile and said, “How are you, brotha?” “Good, just here to watch the sunset,” the Californian replied, smiling in an attempt to match the warmth received from the stranger. “Me too! And smoke some marijuana. Do you want to smoke […]

The Cultural Experience – Bali, Indonesia

He was use to “cultural experiences” objectifying based on his time traveling Peru. This experienced featured a minimal amount of those elements, but far more authenticity and substance. Families in Bali own compounds that stay in the families name for indefinitely. One grows up in this compound, then often move away for adult life, only […]

The Queenless King – Bali, Indonesia

Warm weather, lush wilderness, and endless fruit. The tropics are lovely, and best enjoyed when love is present. The last time he was in the tropics, the queen was by his side. He made the decision to travel alone. He had chosen this fate. The king looked over his domain and wept.

The First Refuge – Bali, Indonesia

He has never seen “Eat, Pray, Love,” but apparently Julia Roberts has some type of spiritual awakening in Ubud, Bali. He couldn’t speak to that type of experience, but he did find his first real refuge in Ubud. Wayan is the name given to first born children of a family of Bali. Wayan of my […]

“Live Like A King” – Bali, Indonesia

Transitions scare him. He helped children at summer camp transition from tears of fear to laughter of joy. He had been one of those children. He understood the mindset. He also started to understand, 20 years later, that transitions still intimidated him into feeling fear and feeling weak. He was thankful to know that these […]

The Ugandan Scientist – Singapore

Moses parted the Red Sea and saved the Jews from slavery. He lead them through the desert and provided solace and hope when there was none. His Moses was not a leader of the Jews but rather a PhD student studying in Singapore, raised in Uganda. If you sat within two feet of someone for […]

The Neat Things – Singapore

He was committed to not hiding in his room all day. He had done that before in life, and that dark hole was not worth climbing into again. So he ventured into the world of high-rise buildings. After the 8 hour nap that ensured his sleep schedule would not adjust for the next 10 days, […]

“The Death Penalty” – Singapore

He liked bland food. He spoke English and couldn’t roll his Rs. He liked comfort and understood Western culture. Singapore was to be a transition country. It was recommended by a friend, so he booked the ticket two weeks prior to takeoff. The ticket would be cheap (relative) and the culture would be easy (relative). […]