When Eat, Pray, Love became my reality.

by Claire Murphy (Ireland)

Making a local connection Indonesia

My bear feet strolled along the white cold sand of Sanur beach. The sun was not long in the sky, the temperatures were low as was my heart for it was the last morning of my adventure that I didn't want to end. I'd strolled a distance in one direction, the only people in sight were the staff of the beach front restaurants beginning the set up for the day ahead. I sat for a while watching out to sea, reminiscing on what had been a crazy busy trip, jam packed full of sight seeing, praying, eating beautiful food, the business and the peacefulness of it all, almost too much to think about in that moment. The air was fresh, the sky quite dull to my disappointment. My mind was busy and I wanted to still it. A lone surfer emerged from the waves and wandered over to me, inquiring why I was out so early. I explained I was heading home and was soaking up the last of the alone time, peace before I travelled home. Curious, in his Australian accent asked where I'd come from with my not so recognisable accent, I replied Ireland. We chatted briefly, he was astonished to hear my trip was so short when I'd travelled such a distance. I have to admit I was jealous, Bali was his holiday home a few times a year. We bid each all the best and I walked the opposite direction. The beach had begun to become alive, as I walked I noted locals sitting putting together canang sari's. I thought I'm going to miss these wonderful colours, flowers, and the peace that goes with them. I noted how people were placing them in the sea as quick as they were being made. I watched on as I walked and thought it seemed a bit unusual all these people heading into the sea, what struck me as most unusual was some of the men picking up a duck and throwing it out to sea, each time it floated back in it was thrown gently back out into the waves. I decided to sit among the goings on of it all and close my eyes, listen to the sounds around me, the chitter chatter in a language I had no knowledge of but sounded so interesting. With the waves gently brushing over the sand and the cool air, I began to breath it in to the motion of the waves and feel that sense of peace inside my mind. I could sense the light around me darken and I heard hello in an Indonesian accent. I opened my eyes to find a man standing above me, I replied good morning. He asked if he could join me in my morning meditation, I patted the sand and said "sure". He sat beside me and introduced himself as Ketut. I smiled, a thought crossed my mind, all those times I'd watched and dreamed of living Julia Roberts life in Eat Pray Love and here I am meeting a real life Ketut. I said 'Ketut' curiously, he went on to explain, the fourth child in each family is named Ketut. He asked if I knew what was happening on the beach right now and went to explain the morning rituals/offerings, how everyone gathers to bath beginning the day and to my surprise along with the offerings were included, the duck! We chatted for a time about life and the experiences it gives us. He seemed such a wize man, a gardener by trade, brimming with local knowledge and history. I'd wished I'd met him earlier for more conversation but part of me believes we are all where we are supposed to be in life in moments of time. This was a perfect moment in my time, a truely beautiful ending to my personal journey of 'Eat Pray Love'. I smiled as I shook his hand and thanked him for his time, wished him all the best in life, as did he to me. I watched a community united as I took one last look around me with my heart lighter at the beauty that surrounded me forever etched in my memories.