A stroll through Balangan - Bali
little girl playing in the shop of her parents
Since the second I put my feet on balinese ground again I immediately felt like coming home. It’s hard to describe what it is exactly that makes my whole body just instantly relax when I get here. It is the combination of the thousand little things that make this island so special to me and so many others. The smell of incense, the chaos that has his own mystical order, the friendly smiles and rooster crows. Of course, I have a lot of history here. Shaun and I met in Bali and lived here together for six years. Our first two children were born on this magical island and we raised them in Canggu until we decided to live in Australia for a while. But we never planned on leaving for three whole years but Covid had other plans for us.
When we finally had the chance to come back to Bali for six months we were thrilled. And because we are so deeply in love with the rawness of this country and beauty of the culture, we decided to move away from the busy streets of Canggu to a more quiet part of Bali called Balangan.
whatever sprinkles your donuts
Since we arrived here three months ago our life has slowed down immensely and my mental health has increased so much. And that means that we are all so much happier.
I finally take the time to stop and look. To take it all in. To feel. To truly experience life. And sometimes I grab my camera and go for a stroll all by myself and slow down even more.
Taking photographs of people in the street made me feel a little bit uncomfortable at first but I have experienced nothing but wide open hearts and kindness.
young teenagers posing for the camera
I love the connections we create through the simple process of trying to communicate with our hands and feet. And the sparkling eyes when we look at the images together at the back of my camera. I am so grateful for this experience. I can see how I am able to grow as a person and as a photographer through this practice.
Another thing that amazes me is how many things are happening within a pretty small area. Ceremonies are getting prepared, whilst and old Ibu is making her way home and teenagers flex their muscles. One little shop next to the other filled with one million little boxes and bags and in the middle of it, sits a little toddler quietly playing with her toy. While I sat in awe on the side of the road watching motorbikes race past me way too close, two piercing kitten eyes fixated me out of a corner.
It seems as if the Balinese radiate light every time they smile. And man, they smile a lot. Those beautiful people have mastered the art of looking at life with laughter. A skill I want keep adapting and ingrain into my own life even more.
Still, after all this years Bali feels like a big mystery to me. Unpredictable and somehow inscrutable but always opening up door after door to let me have a little peek.
