We stepped out of the airport and into the first fresh air we’d inhaled in forty-seven hours. Hot and humid, it swallowed us whole. Yes! I thought. No chance of a polar vortex here. We happily strapped ourselves into the back seat of Nyoman’s ride, blissfully unaware of what lay ahead.
Bali drivers make Italian drivers seem like grandmas on Percocet. Droves of little motorbikes carrying one, two, three, and even four people at once dart in and out of lanes, squeeze between vehicles, and come at you from every direction, including the opposite one, in your lane. Technically there are two lanes, but they’re entirely optional. Driving here is intuitive and cooperative. Otherwise, it would never work. Everyone taps their horn to say, “Hey, I’m here,” or “Hey, watch out!”
And so motorbikes pass each other and the many behemoth cargo trucks while chugging up hills and rounding hairpin curves. They even try to pass when there’s not a popsicle’s chance in a pizza oven that they can make it. After gasping and covering my eyes several times, I decided that it was best not to look out the front window. Better instead to say my prayers and let the Universe know I was thankful for having had a wonderful life full of blessings. Amen.
Our driver, Nyoman, cranked up the AC, effectively turning the vehicle into a mobile meat locker, and told us that he had to pick up his daughter on the way to the villa. Would that be OK? No problem, we said, even though I was shivering, yawning, and twisting my face into strange contortions to keep my dry, burning eyes open. All I could think of was a soft warm bed and a pillow. But first we’d have to stop by the villa owners’ home in Ubud to settle up our rent, get a SIM card at some little toko, hit up an ATM for rupiahs, and then, of course, pick up the daughter.
By the time she hopped into the passenger seat next to her dad, I wasn’t sure what my name was, much less hers. I thought she said “Wilda”; Chris thought she said “Winda.” But according to Lonely Planet, the Balinese go by certain first names depending on birth order, regardless of gender: Wayan (first born), Made (pronounced Mah-day; second born), Nyoman (third), and Ketut (fourth). So I’m pretty sure her name must be Wayan.
“Hallo!” Wayan said and shook our hands from the front seat. “Where are you from?”
We told her we were from America, which seemed to please her greatly. Americans are tenth on the list of visitor nationalities, so we’re a lot more exciting than the Australians or the Chinese, who occupy slots one and two.
“I will be married in three days,” she said with a heavy accent. “You can come to my wedding.”
Chris and I looked at each other. Had she just invited us to her wedding? For real? We’d only known her for three minutes.
“Are you serious?” Chris asked. “You want us to come to your wedding?”
“Yes, of course. The whole village will be there.”
We’d read in our guide book that if you can get invited to a ceremony while in Bali, under no circumstances should you miss it. So I guess we’re going to a Balinese wedding in three days.
Read more in “The Bali Diary: Fields of Dreams.”
P•O•S•T•M•A•R•K•S 
OMG waiting with bated breath to read more. I’m so glad you’re okay. I was a bit worried you were on the Malaysian Air flight. Please respond to my email and text. I miss you but love reading about your adventure.
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Hi Beth! It was great to see you. Looking forward to sharing more of the story.
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Wow – and this is just your 1st post!
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I know. Just wait!
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“Grandmas on Percocet” …. Hilarious! I’m sure it was terrifying but nonetheless that is so funny! Glad you’re back safe 🙂
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Thanks, Amy! We’re glad to be back, but we had a great time.
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Awesome!!!!!! Brings back good memories. I LOVE Bali!! And Ubud. I can’t wait to read more! We got invited to a funeral. We felt too odd to go, and when we declined saying it’d be sad, they gleefully said OH NO! NOT sad. Happy! And it was indeed, quite the colorful, amazing procession full of smiles, food, and offerings.
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You’re so lucky to see a funeral! We caught a glimpse of one. Really a beautiful sight. The Balinese seem to have a healthy understanding of the cycle of life.
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Wow, what a way to go. Glad you are home and safe in Montana. Looking forward to reading more and seeing your wonderful pictures.
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Hi Sharon! Thank you for reading. Bet you’re getting geared up for a new season at the garden. Can’t wait to hear about it.
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I want more! I want more!
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If only it were easy to write … 🙂
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I love your adventures and I’m so happy you share them with us! Kris
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Thank you, Kris!
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I need more right away!!!!!!! Love your posts..
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I need some little elf helpers … but I’m working on it. Thank you!
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What an exciting time you’re having. Life is too short, so enjoy as much as you can. Say hi to your mom.
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Thanks for reading!
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One of my favorite writers traveling to my childhood home. What could be better?
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Wow, I had no idea, Renee! You must have some wonderful memories.
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Fresh, real, I can taste Bali. I love that place I love this piece. When I was there I too was invited to a wedding within minutes of meeting someone and then spent two + hours at the grooms house with he and his family getting him ready for the ceremony. Then walked the procession and was invited to sit on stage with the bride and groom for a portion of the ceremony. It was sereal and wonderful.
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