When you live in Bali, among the locals then you will see or find or hear:
1. The stray dogs, they are everywhere, and if you live in the small banjar (balinese community) like me, the dogs are actually good security "portal" because they'll bark at strangers who don't live in the banjar. And even though most of them they won't bite, it's a strong suggestion NOT to pet them, they might the gesture, menacing and might attack you.
2. Offerings, you'll see them everywhere, from street side to the beach side, from the posh hotels to common houses. And if you see a big pile of them in front of a house, that just means that house is having a ceremonial event.
3. Hindu temples, nuff said!
4. The cocks, balinese men love cock fightings, so almost all balinese household will have at least 2 cocks in their yard. Trust me, you won't miss them, coz they crow at all hour of the day.
5. Balinese in their traditional attires, when you them, it just means that they are getting ready to pray or doing a communal duty, such as taking care of the parking in the nearby market.
6. Beautiful art work, balinese are craftmen, so no surprise that they can create stunning wood carvings, paintings, musics and dance.
7. Foreigners living among the locals, Bali is such a huge magnet to live that you will find all sort of foreigner living here, whether is in a luxury villas or in a small rented room. From the rich retiree to the broke and poor beach bum, are attracted with the easy going pace and balinese attitude toward life. Not mentioning, the "i don't care what you do as long as you don't bother me n leave me pray" of the balinese, kinda makes living in Bali so much easier, beacuse you don't have to worry about people telling how you should live your life.
8. Cuisine from around the world, You can find russian food right next to a Padang restaurant, a Greek cafe across the street from the traditional English fish and chips, or Korean BBQ right behind Balinese babi guling (balinese suckling pig). Of course chinese, japanese and italian food is in every street corner.
9. The smell of incense, well....the balinese pray at least twice a day, where ever they are, at home or work place. So you will not miss the smell, even inside the crowded airport waiting room.
10. Bintang, in Indonesian word this means stars, in Bali, this means a cold and delicious beer.
Now, if you are just on holiday, in addition of those things above, you probably will also see or hear:
1. Balinese traditional music, they play it every where, especially if you stay in big hotels, from the lobby to the restaurant.
2. "Hey boss!", also "Massage, wan dalla (one dollar), wan dalla!".............yes, you will hear this especially if you go to the popular beach such as Kuta and Legian. The "Hey, boss!" usually came from men try to offer you bike for rent or taxi or souvenirs, the "Massage, wan dalla (one dollar), wan dalla!" usually came from middle age women, offering a soothing massage by the beach or in of their little spa salon. Now, be careful in interpreting "one dollar", because it doesn't mean that their service or goods their selling cost only 1 USD or AUD, but that is merely a tag line to lure you, if you are interested in whatever they are selling, be sure to ask how much in rupiah. Few years ago, when me n hubby came to Bali as tourist, after getting sick and tired listening to the one dollar offers every time we stepped out of our hotel. So to turn the table around, my husband finally stopped at one of the little store selling sunglasses, since the seller always insisted that everything is one dollar. My husband chose one shade and said:"one dollar right? that means 10.000 rupiah (pointing the board from the money changer booth next door)". At first, the seller tried to explain that the shade cost 50.000 rupiah, but my husband gently and jokingly persist that one dollar is one dollar.....finally, the seller made a compromised, 15.000 rupiah.
So, if you think you have more to add the list.....please don't hesitate to tell me!
1. The stray dogs, they are everywhere, and if you live in the small banjar (balinese community) like me, the dogs are actually good security "portal" because they'll bark at strangers who don't live in the banjar. And even though most of them they won't bite, it's a strong suggestion NOT to pet them, they might the gesture, menacing and might attack you.
2. Offerings, you'll see them everywhere, from street side to the beach side, from the posh hotels to common houses. And if you see a big pile of them in front of a house, that just means that house is having a ceremonial event.
3. Hindu temples, nuff said!
4. The cocks, balinese men love cock fightings, so almost all balinese household will have at least 2 cocks in their yard. Trust me, you won't miss them, coz they crow at all hour of the day.
5. Balinese in their traditional attires, when you them, it just means that they are getting ready to pray or doing a communal duty, such as taking care of the parking in the nearby market.
6. Beautiful art work, balinese are craftmen, so no surprise that they can create stunning wood carvings, paintings, musics and dance.
7. Foreigners living among the locals, Bali is such a huge magnet to live that you will find all sort of foreigner living here, whether is in a luxury villas or in a small rented room. From the rich retiree to the broke and poor beach bum, are attracted with the easy going pace and balinese attitude toward life. Not mentioning, the "i don't care what you do as long as you don't bother me n leave me pray" of the balinese, kinda makes living in Bali so much easier, beacuse you don't have to worry about people telling how you should live your life.
8. Cuisine from around the world, You can find russian food right next to a Padang restaurant, a Greek cafe across the street from the traditional English fish and chips, or Korean BBQ right behind Balinese babi guling (balinese suckling pig). Of course chinese, japanese and italian food is in every street corner.
9. The smell of incense, well....the balinese pray at least twice a day, where ever they are, at home or work place. So you will not miss the smell, even inside the crowded airport waiting room.
10. Bintang, in Indonesian word this means stars, in Bali, this means a cold and delicious beer.
Now, if you are just on holiday, in addition of those things above, you probably will also see or hear:
1. Balinese traditional music, they play it every where, especially if you stay in big hotels, from the lobby to the restaurant.
2. "Hey boss!", also "Massage, wan dalla (one dollar), wan dalla!".............yes, you will hear this especially if you go to the popular beach such as Kuta and Legian. The "Hey, boss!" usually came from men try to offer you bike for rent or taxi or souvenirs, the "Massage, wan dalla (one dollar), wan dalla!" usually came from middle age women, offering a soothing massage by the beach or in of their little spa salon. Now, be careful in interpreting "one dollar", because it doesn't mean that their service or goods their selling cost only 1 USD or AUD, but that is merely a tag line to lure you, if you are interested in whatever they are selling, be sure to ask how much in rupiah. Few years ago, when me n hubby came to Bali as tourist, after getting sick and tired listening to the one dollar offers every time we stepped out of our hotel. So to turn the table around, my husband finally stopped at one of the little store selling sunglasses, since the seller always insisted that everything is one dollar. My husband chose one shade and said:"one dollar right? that means 10.000 rupiah (pointing the board from the money changer booth next door)". At first, the seller tried to explain that the shade cost 50.000 rupiah, but my husband gently and jokingly persist that one dollar is one dollar.....finally, the seller made a compromised, 15.000 rupiah.
So, if you think you have more to add the list.....please don't hesitate to tell me!
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