77
The Women
Balinese Doors
Behind
utu would sweep around my home with quick, rhythmic
strokes as she sang like an angel alongside Balinese music
playing from her phone. Her smile never hinted at the war
she was fighting inside.
There’s an underbelly to the world of women in Bali - as in most
cultures. On the surface, everything can look so beautiful, soft,
and nurturing. But spend enough time immersed in any culture
and you’ll soon discover the true depths and challenges women
face, especially in strong hierarchical systems. The legacy of
tradition can soothe the soul, but it can also suppress and derail
life’s possibilities.
I’ve never been a good tourist. Unlike those chasing sunsets and
smoothie bowls, I’ve always chased something else: stories. And
Bali, in all its beauty, holds some of the most complex ones -
especially in the lives of women.
Travel has continuously transformed my life. It’s been the most
important education I’ve received, hands down. At sixteen, I got my
first taste of cultural immersion as an exchange student in Sweden.
That year changed the trajectory of my life. Living and learning
through different cultures not only expands your worldview - it
humbles and humanizes you.
Bali is no different. In fact, what I love most about living here is
that nothing stays the same. Transformation is in action every day.
At any moment, something unexpected will unfold that makes
Four times a week...