Home again - looking back

I left Bali in the early hours of Sunday September 29th and was home again in just 5 hours.  The flight home is typically about an hour shorter than the flight to Bali.  Why?  Look at the map - it's "downhill".   That's an old joke but some people nod knowingly and agree when they hear it.  The flight from Bali to Adelaide, like that from Perth to Adelaide is usually assisted by a tail wind, and the travel time is also adjusted to suit take-off and landing slots at airports.

The initial "homecoming" was brief as after 3 nights I went to Sydney for 10 days.  On arriving home for the second time Bali seemed so far away and it was hard to get back into the "Paul in Bali" mindset to conclude the blog, but after some weeks I've done it.  The final blog for this year is a bit of a grab-bag of bits and pieces chosen for the particular memories they evoke.  As good as it is to return home to family and familiar surrounds I always have a period of readjustment.  Connections to family and friends are re-established, but that is balanced by the sadness at separation from those I've been close to in Bali - until next year.  There's satisfaction at what was achieved, and some thought about what more might have been done if circumstances permitted.

Here are images reminding me of special times in the last week (and a bit) of my time at Universitas Dhyana Pura, Dalung, Bali.

In my out-of-classroom role as "conversation coach" I got to speak regularly with many of the staff of the University.  With some I discussed their work and interests.  One would read every word of my blogs and ask me to explain anything he didn't understand or word he did not know - it was a great "proofreading" experience.   It was always a particular delight to converse with Mia and Maria.  Mia became a new Mum 2 weeks before I left and it was a pleasure to go with a group to visit her and meet the new baby.  

A house call to inspect the new baby.  New mum Mia to my left, Maria
just in front of me.  It's a Friday - we are wearing the staff "Friday" shirt.

Mia and daughter.

The next photo was taken in the shopping strip along Dalung Permai.  I don't know how many garments this little boutique sells, but I do know I've never seen anybody wearing clothes (and especially the hats) like this around Dalung - or nearby for that matter.  It just doesn't look like local clothing, and although holiday-makers may buy these, there are no tourists in Dalung.  It's a mystery, as are the shoppers, as on my many trips past here on foot during my 14 weeks in Dalung I didn't ever see anyone in the shop. 




Some surprising fashion items at the MOI Boutique, Dalung



On the Saturday evening a week before my departure, I went with members of the debating team and a few other friends to a secluded little beach just to the north of the very popular, very busy, Pura Tanah Lot site.  The weather was very pleasant and it was relaxing to stroll on the beach and clamber over the rocks as the sun set.  Later that evening we stopped for a very enjoyable pizza beside the rice fields on the road back to the campus.



Not pop stars but members of the Debating Team



The setting sun lights up a small temple on the cliffs.



Students and staff on the rocks

Several of the students at Undhira come from the orphanages of the Widya Asih Foundation which operates as an agency of the Protestant Christian Church of Bali ("GKPB").  Although commonly called "orphanages" they are better described as children's homes.  "Widya Asih" means "Knowledge with Love".  In July I visited No 4 just north of Dalung with a group of students from the University.  In my last week in Bali one of my students invited me to visit Orphanage No 1 in the southeast of Denpasar, where she lives and assists in the office after classes.

Miss Suci at the office of the home.

I was shown the facilities at the complex which consists of the children's home, a GKPB worship centre and Harapan Pariwisata (a vocational high school with emphasis on education for work in tourism related activities).  Six of the senior girls came to the office to practice some English conversation and it was a delight to talk with them and learn something of their aspirations.  One girl hoped to become a chemist (for many years I was an Analytical Chemist) and another wrote poetry.  They were a talented lot and I hope that they can pursue their dreams and reach their goals.

Senior girls at the home.

Information on the foundation can be found at: http://www.widhya-asih.or.id/home

The PPLP, the vocational training predecessor of the young University, still provides courses leading to certificates and diplomas.  The University offers courses leading to degrees and I taught classes within the English Department.   It was very satisfying working with the 14 new students in their first semester of "English Studies".  I taught the "Speaking" subject and assisted with "Listening", "Reading" and "Writing" topics.  I hope to return and work with them next year at the next level of their course.

Bu Diana with the new class of English Studies students.

I almost missed my farewell.  I was indeed present at the staff gathering in the last week when it was announced, but as the notice was given in Bahasa Indonesian it didn't register with me.  It was only an "in passing" comment with another staff member which alerted me.  How embarrassing to have been late (or absent) for my farewell.  It was an enjoyable gathering, although tinged with sadness at the prospect of leaving.  The Rektor, Dr Nyandra, spoke kindly and presented me with 2 books on Bali, neither of which I had seen before, so these gave me some satisfying reading while I waited hours at the airport on the night of my departure.



With the Rektor at my farewell

On my last day I finalised my packing - no easy task, especially when presented with a number of gifts at the last minute by students.  It was a tight squeeze.  The trip to the airport took almost 2 hours but once there the check-in proceeded smoothly.  It was a long wait for the flight which left at 1:15 am.  In fact I waited just about as long as the time taken to fly home (a mere 4 hr and 30 minutes).  I left Bali in the early hours of Day 100 of my assignment, my 4th and I  hope not my last.

My great thanks to friends, colleagues, students and members of the University (Undhira) and GKPB who made me feel so welcome,  and who helped with arrangements, transport and companionship during my time in Bali. 

"Sampai jumpa" (see you again/later).