Every civilized sound is offensive. Garbage trucks grinding their refuse replace gibbons calling out their morning songs. Horns honk where only hours ago cicadas were buzzing. And people screaming at each other have replaced the gentle sound of the soft-spoken Indonesians. A part of me wonders if my explorations on one end of the spectrum will ultimately reduce my ability to enjoy the pleasures at the other end.I race through my visits with family, friends, and editors, just a little off-balance and impatient to be somewhere else. I suspect that with a little more time, I would slip back into the delights of the city, but I don’t wait around to find out. I stay for two weeks and get on another plane for Indonesia.This time, I’m going to Bali. Noted for its art, music, and dance, Bali is an island the size of Connecticut with a population of about 3 million, 95 percent of them Hindu. Main industry: tourism. Main attraction for me: the Balinese people, who are known for their spirituality, something that has always eluded me.As a kid I sought spirituality in the synagogue, but I found words, music, social events, and fundraising.
What do You think about Tales Of A Female Nomad (2007)?
