Bali. What is the first thing that pops in your mind when you hear Bali? Religion, yoga, food, surfing or rice?
How about i-am-so-lost-in-life-whats-next-oh-lets-go-to-bali-for-an-answer? That was my case, anyway.
Hi, my name is Alenka and I have a traveling addiction.
The first time, I have heard of Bali, probably back in 6th grade, in Slovenia. In the middle of having a sleepover at my best friends house at the time and her mom and I were doing that What’s your dream destination game. I said Argentina of course, what else. I’m still completely in love with Patagonian mountains.
My friend jumps in and she screams »LA OF COURSE!«. Yeah, as bad as it sounds we both wanted the classic story of moving to LA and becoming stars. Silly, if I think about it now, but little girls can dream right?
Looking at her mom as she says, »Bali.«
One simple, short word, yet sounding so mysterious, with her eyes glowing in that special way, something had told me that it’s a magical place.
»What is that?« I heard myself say.
»It is a perfect, dream destination – from the movie Eat, Pray, Love. Go see the movie and you will understand.«
Believe it or not, in the last 7 or 8 years, I did not bother seeing that movie, I guess it didn’t feel important at the moment, or at any moment after. Untill today.
The past year, was absolutely amazing. I did lots of crazy things, I have traveled to so many places, but I couldn’t help it to feel a bit weird, or confused every now and then. I didn’t get it why, like I did things I love, I traveled anywhere I wanted, I was basically living the life I’ve always dreamt of.
Yet, there was something missing, like a purpose or a meaning, or a leading plan to get me somewhere, how could I know?
And FYI, I still don’t. And that was one of the reasons, I bought a one way ticket to Bali. To actually start a new chapter of my life, find a meaning or some sort of path that I should take and find out who I am. That and surfing. Of course.
Now today, I finally watched the Eat, Pray, Love. Funny, cheesy movie, she eats good food in Italy, prays and finds peace in India and falls in love in Bali. Now, my expectations are a bit different, but just because I have no idea what to expect. And tomorrow morning – leaving Canada for the next half a year, I hope I will get something out of it.
I might be more confused than ever, but it feels like I’m doing a right thing.
You’ll hear from me soon.
(If the massive volcano doesn’t erupt and I get stuck in China on the way there.)
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