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I ran away to Bali. One gloomy night in December I was in my New York apartment where I realized I couldn’t take this depressing weather anymore and just needed sun. Right now. The desire was so overwhelming that I impulsively got a ticket to Bali right then. To that magical land I’ve heard about but never been to. I packed my tiny suitcase, kissed my husband goodbye, and there I went. On the 20-hour flight my hubby’s words echoed in my mind: “don’t fall in love with someone else there and please come back to me”. Well, he was somewhat right. This is a love story. Just not the one you’re used to. . One day in the tropical Canggu, I was working on something on my computer at a cafe. I was there with a group of my new-found friends. We bonded over our memories of our cold homes we left behind, the incredible Balinese sunsets, and the enchanting feeling of freedom that the island is so good at proving. About half an hour before the sunset I got this earthy urge to go see the ocean. I had to feel its energy again. Last time I saw it was the night before - what now felt like a lifetime ago. I grabbed my bag and, without saying much, left on a bike. I wasn’t even wearing shoes. The waves were magnificent. The energy of the ocean was so strong I didn’t even have to go into the water. I walked along the coastline, sinking my bare feet into the warm sand, sometimes stepping on plastic and dead corals. Ran with the dogs and got to know a couple locals. Then together we collected garbage on the beach. Cried. Not because of the people who don’t look after our earth but because I am one of them. . Pink and orange ribbons are dancing in the sky as the sun is turning in for the night. Slowly the stars and dark blues take over. I’m dancing in my headphones. I’m repeating the movement of the endless waves. I see people are walking towards me and a thought passes through my head: “they’ll think I’m a crazy woman, I should stop”. For a moment I almost stop but then I think “to hell with them” and close my eyes. Those people don’t exist, time doesn’t exist. Thoughts of busy New York are far away. A lovely breeze passes through my hair as I continue my motion. I’m in a different universe. Then something unexpected happens. Someone touches my hand. I open my eyes and see a little Balinese girl. She dances with me. I share one of my headphone pieces with her and she laughs. The moment is so precious and beautiful. It’s unlike any beauty that is imposed by our society, but is here, present, and so real. I say “Siapanama anda?”, she says “Nama saya Nuri”. Her name is Nuri. She raises her thumb up and returns the headphone piece back to me. I guess she liked the music. It’s very dark now. I sit on the sand and watch the waves clash with each other. I’m happy and very much at peace. I think I’m in love. And this time with an island.