Such a day. No words. Just this.

Yesterday began the start of the second portion of my Balinese adventure; involving a shift in focus, bringing a more explicit spiritual component to my experience here, and giving me the opportunity to learn mother earth through a Balinese perspective. We took a trip to holy waters where we had the opportunity to honor the god/dess and be purified in the falls. We made our way to Sebatu village, around 10 miles north of Ubud, where people bathe in the sacred waters and perfo

Gaya Ceramic Arts Center is a special place indeed. Aside from the obvious allure of its location in Ubud, Bali - the community feeling is amazing and really welcoming. Hillary Kane, the staff and studio techs - Jen and Emily in particular - were so helpful and genuine.The warmth and fellowship extended to even transient folk like myself was truly wonderful - and so very appreciated! There was an international assortment of artists working as part of the community - Canada an

The ceramic studio was closed Sunday so I made my way via motor bike (clinging to the back of the driver like a burr) to the center of Ubud to explore the art market and do a bit of shopping. What a cacophony of of color and texture and sound... the sheer number of things! Woven baskets, silk robes, sarongs, wooden bowls, spoons and cutting boards. Lingams (key chains and bottle openers mostly). Rings, bangles, bracelets... pendants of various stone and shape. Incense and inc

Up with the dawn. A quick swim then coffee and breakfast. Around 8.45 or 9.00 walk the half mile to the ceramic studio. Work in the studio until 15.30 or so (with a quick break for lunch). Walk back to Devi's Place for an afternoon swim. Read. Maybe write. Maybe nap. Order dinner for delivery at 19.00 or maybe walk to a local warung for a quick bite. Read some more. Sleep by 21.30. Repeat.

Every building, commercial or otherwise, seems to house a shrine. On commercial ways they are usually near the entry - sometimes right on the street. All kinds of representations are evident. Animals sometimes (I've seen dogs, lions and monkeys), or wrathful female goddesses. Sometimes little houses on plinths. Or a chair, sheltered by silk umbrellas in various colors (mostly yellow but I've seen red and white as well). Some with fringe. This is the one at the guesthouse wher

Sometimes you know where you are headed, sometimes you are surpised. The roads here are sometimes nearly paths. Its a bit confusing for a Brooklyn girl to make sense of - at one point I found myself negotiating a kind of scary "stairway" path - with steps so tall I wasn't sure I'd be able to scramble down (at least gravity was working with me!) - but I made it. It got me thinking about how we make our way in the world and how paths are sometimes meandering - leading to places

I arrived yesterday evening in Ubud. I'll be spending the next 15 days in a combination of both art and spiritual retreat. I'm excited about what this opportunity to immerse myself in another country might bring to my being and how that might be expressed in my makings. The sounds here are at once familiar and foreign. Travelling alone, you really understand how the quality of silence changes.  I am silent mostly. Sitting here with my coffee, typing away on this post and chat