Dreaming Big in Bali: Balinese cooking class in Casa Luna

Ganesh guards the entrance to the path that leads to our bungalows

Tuesday, May 4, 2013

It’s 5:30 am in Bali. It’s the afternoon on Monday, your time. The roosters begin their crowing at around 4 am here. It’s reminiscent of my time in the Peace Corps in Ecuador. At this moment I’m hearing a symphony of sounds---the serenade of the croaking frogs, high-pitched humming of the cicadas, and the cacophony of screeching and singing from many species of colorful birds. Life is singing out it’s full glory.

Our little bungalows are surrounded by exotic plants that look like gigantic versions of some of the houseplants we have at home, along with the ubiquitous coconut palm trees, papaya trees, and the banana plants. Just beyond our patch of tropical forest are the rice paddies. Off the beaten path where we are staying, one can still imagine oneself being in paradise.

The students are staying at a different hotel from the OG’s (older generation) as we’re referred to. It’s a ten minute walk down a little hill to get to their bungalows. It’s heartwarming to see how the students are unfolding on this trip. Marina from Cochiti Pueblo, student at the Santa Fe Indian School, said she had never hung out with non-natives before and that she was learning a lot about herself. Sidney from Santa Fe High School countered that she had never experienced being the only “white” girl in the group and it helped her to get a different perspective on what it’s like being in the minority. Jorge whose parents are from Mexico was initially shy and silent. Now he speaks up with more confidence in his voice and has even begun to smile and laugh out loud along with the other kids.

Each day Gaylon and Zinnia choose a different kid to be in charge of the YGs (young generation) group to develop leadership skills. In the restaurants, for example, the YGs sit off by themselves. The kid in charge for the day is given a certain amount of money to cover food expenses which requires calculating the maximum amount each of their mates can spend on the meals, with enough left over for taxes and tips. The kid in charge is responsible for making sure everyone gets up on time, no one in the YG group gets lost, and that all get back home to their bungalows safely at the end of the day. Of course, they have the back up of the OGs if anything critical should occur while they’re practicing their leadership skills.

Yesterday I skipped my gamelan lesson and went to a cooking class with Steve Simon, an OG who is on the trip to see how his charitable foundation can offer financial support for the Bali Art Project. He has been to Bali many times since the late 1980’s so he knows his way around well. The cooking class was held in an outdoor pavilion that was part of an elegant hotel where Steve spent his honeymoon many years ago. The class was definitely one of the highlights of the trip so far. It was four hours of sensuous smells and tastes. First we learned about the many exotic spices that are an everyday part of the meals here. Apparently, the women freshly grind and mash the spices every morning with mortar and pestle. The smells are divine. We made several dishes, including fish curry with freshly made coconut milk. We also steamed banana leaf packets filled with fish and rice. We served up our marvelous concoctions on plates lined with banana leaves and bowls made of banana leaves which looked like origami creations.

After our marvelous lunch, we decided to devote the entire day to sensuality. Steve and I went back to the spa where we had the first massage and indulged in a second. Actually, Steve has been getting massages every day. They cost around $20 and are really luxurious. I think I’m finally unwinding.

Below are some pictures that I meant to put in the prior posts, but uploading is a very tedious and slow process here because of the weak internet connection.