Weave Your Spell

We have purchased a piece of land at an excellent price!

You hear this phrase a lot, I mean A LOT, lately.

It's been said so frequently that sometimes when I join a conversation, it takes me a moment to realize they are talking about land and not pants or candy.

But no, they are indeed discussing land.

I heard it two years ago in Mexico, I hear it now in Bali, and I heard it years ago in southern Spain.

It seems to be a recurring theme in life and everywhere.

When you visit Bali one day, you won't need more than 2 minutes to meet Ketut, fall in love with Wayan's smile, or receive Putu's help.

You won't need more time because, in Bali, people are named according to their birth order.

And that's why the grandfather, the sister, the neighbor, and the lady who leaves offerings every morning at your door for your good fortune, without you even asking for it, all have the same name.

It wasn't always like this. But for centuries, it has been.

And that's because apparently, a long time ago, some gentlemen from Java saw some land in Bali... and they claimed it. Bringing with them the Hindu caste system.

The Balinese automatically became the lowest caste, the caste dedicated to rice cultivation and handicrafts.

Because the new landowners decided so.

And thus, the entire island became a vast rice field. Simply beautiful.

The Balinese have one characteristic, well, in general.

They are the most warming people on this planet.

I came to this conclusion after traveling to other corners of the world, and I reaffirmed it now that I have returned after more travels.

They happily teach Bahasa, learn English, smile at every passerby, and make you feel at home.

They are not afraid, they are not in a hurry, and they have no concept of tomorrow.

Today, I was talking to Ketut from the house across the street about how beautiful the road from here to the beach is. I counted more than 30 paddy fields, 5 ladies making offerings, and a group of men in ceremonial attire.

- Ketut, aren't you afraid that this culture will be lost with the influx of people buying land?

- No, everyone is welcome here and change is part of it.

Well, that's the more local side of Bali.

Besides this Bali, there are many other Balis. There's the Bali of surfing, the Bali of volcanoes, the Bali of rituals, the Bali of parties... and then there's the Bali where Lorena lives.

Lorena, an only child, comes from a humble family where her parents have worked tirelessly. At the age of 20, she decided she wanted to learn English and found a way to do it.

With a suitcase in hand, she ventured to New York as an au pair.

In the end, she spent about 8 years in the United States.

During that time, she worked as a waitress, attempted to start several businesses, had her fair share of terrible relationships, and tried to engage in sports and stay in good shape.

She spent what she earned on an English academy and accommodation, constantly feeling exhausted.

When she returned home, her elderly parents were waiting for her. Her father fell ill on the way, and her 94-year-old grandmother eagerly awaited her arrival.

Lorena cherishes spending time with them, visiting whenever she can, and always speaking fondly of them.

But Lorena knows that staying at home, staring at the wall, and giving up on her dreams won't help anyone. After all, it was her family who taught her the importance of going after what she wanted.

Through tears and emotions, she packed her suitcase once again, certain that Asia would be her next home. She embarked on the journey alone, only for a worldwide pandemic to strike two weeks later.

Eventually, she made her way to Bali.

Lorena doesn't always have luck on her side.

It has been a little over 2 years since she arrived here.

Currently, Lorena resides in a lovely villa with the love of her life. A blond surfer with light eyes, hails from Britain and has eyes only for Lorena. He also happens to be an amazing cook.

For years now, Lorena has been sustaining herself through her own business, which not only provides her with food but also allows her to fulfill her dream of supporting local communities by selling artisanal products.

Success!

Lorena is brave, non-conformist, and goes after what she wants.

She may not always be lucky, but she knows the recipe for success.

Her business may be struggling, but she constantly considers all the options she has to change it and make it progress.

She may have had her fair share of bad relationships, but she always knew there was someone good for her, and she wouldn't settle for anything less.

She may face injuries that force her to give up her favorite sport, but she sees the countless new possibilities to learn something new.

She may experience one of those dreadful days we all have, but she focuses on the fact that she has legs that allow her to take a walk on the beach.

She may miss her family, but she recognizes that her life is her responsibility, and living it to the fullest is her way of honoring them.

She always emerges victorious, even in defeat.

She sees abundance, not scarcity. Not problems but opportunities. Always.

Where Lorena lives, there are many Lorenas (and Lorenos).

This place is somewhat surreal, filled with people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who have found ways to earn a lot, work a little, and enjoy life.

They have created their own version of life.

This area began as a surfing village but has now attracted people from all corners of the globe who live together, working online mostly, and coexist despite their different cultures.

This place comprises individuals who refuse to conform.

I'm not saying that this is right or wrong or that I like it or dislike it or what it must look like to you, simply, this side of Bali is like that.

Truth be told, I've heard hundreds of extraordinary stories of how each of them has made it here.

I've met idiots, obviously, also super generous people, and a little bit of everything, as everywhere.

The important thing is that I've discovered that there is something that is common to all of them and it is essential.

They think big. They don't settle. They do not accept excuses.

They believe it is possible.

And the Balinese are part of their story with a smile from ear to ear.

The haters will say, nah, I'm sure they're rich daddy's boys who ain't never done anything in life.

Maybe.

It is quite possible that the 350,000+ immigrants in Bali are just daddy's boys.

Daddy's boys like my buddy Andres, who ain't never had anything nor anyone but decided to change his destiny.

Well, good or bad...

just today Lorena and her boyfriend bought a plot of land.

Because yes, it is happening, the foreigners are buying land,

and the Balinese are selling it.

And do you know what Putu does directly with the money he receives?

- Thanks for the money, now at 3 o'clock the family gathers to go buy the paint and start renovating the temple!

It's amazing how beautiful the temples are these days.

They don't think that later they will have either money or land, they think that now they will have a nice temple to go to pray and they don't need anything else.

Is it worrying?

Again, it is just the way it is.

Anyway, years ago they were dedicated to rice 'cause some people from outside took over the land, but not before. Do they have to continue doing it? They know better than us.

Last weekend we went to a waterfall to do a ritual to get rid of the negative and attract the positive (yes, the one in the pic). The guide explained to us that they are already rich, they already have everything, 'cause they have their gods and their temples.

"We all have the power to create whatever we want," he said, always with his splendid smile.

They ain't afraid.

Right now they see the opportunity for their backs to have a much better life and their children too.

They don't know if in 10 years they will have to go back to rice or if one of their volcanoes will explode and they will have to start from scratch.

Whatever happens next, that's the way it's gonna be.

- Oh but you are gonna miss the beauty of the island and its culture!

That's me, wanting to control everything and for others to hurt their backs so that everything continues to be beautiful.

The only thing they know is that life changes and the truth is that yesterday matters little and tomorrow...we don't know. Things are as they are whether you like it, or not.

They ain't afraid. Nor are the Lorenos that now live in Bali. It seems to be part of the magic of the island of gods.

Then...what do we do?

To gaze upon the heavens and believe. Just like they do. Is an idea.

You'd be surprised, the sky here has colorful stars. Yes, blue, green, red...

How come?

Well, because while we try to prevent change and buy lands at the same time, they create kites out of garbage bags, put a light on them, and spend their time playing and gazing upon eternity.

Relax, accept what it is, then...

BALI WEAVES ITS SPELL.

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Next week, we will go all the way to Africa, and be ready for a significant change of scenery spending a night at the Savannah. Don't miss it!

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