A sad journey

It’s a sad day. It’s Halloween isn’t it? No that is not the reason. As I am traveling on this train to my next destination I am reflecting on how I am getting increasingly skeptical about love. The more I keep trying, the bigger are the disappointments. Sometimes I think it’s like a curse, a destiny that I cannot escape. But it’s my fault too because I keep searching in the wrong places and easily fall for the trap of seduction and beauty. I am also reflecting on the direction society is heading to. With social media taking over our lives the chances to find and establish a healthy and enduring relationship are slowly dissipating. Maybe this is part of evolution. But what’s the point of getting married these days? To build a family and have someone that will take care of our needs when we are old? To make our parents and family happy, join the club sort of sea level. Or for economic reasons? Maybe… Anyway why getting married for love? Love is transitional. And unless you are super lucky, love will have a hard time surviving in this kind of society where it takes five minutes to install an app, create a profile and meet someone new. I am finding myself increasingly surrounded by people that once used to believe in real love, was hurt and now is out there trying to fill a hole, trying to get rid of that emptiness that this modernized, hyper-connected, instant gratification society has created in all of us. I feel most of us singles are becoming victims of our own loneliness, emotionally detached, lost in our social media life with no end in sight. That’s why I am sad today. Love is fading away, in and around me.

Ceremony for theGunung Lebah temple

A major religious festival at the historic Gunung Lebah temple, which is not far from my home, has been going on for the most part of October and has reached its peak today. The religious festival comprises six different major rituals: Karya Mamungkah, Tawur Panca Wali Krama, Penyejeg Jagat, Tawur Pedanan, Ngenteg Linggih and Pedudusan Agung. As part of this, there are large-scale temple dedication and purification rituals coupled with major sacrificial rituals to appease nature’s spirits. In addition, Ubud locals – as the temple’s main custodians –  participate in declaration of faith rituals. All these elaborate rituals mark the completion of the extensive renovation project of the temple. Here’s some pics I took from the street.

Sun poisoning

Yesterday I learned the hard way what it means to live in a tropical area. I walked for a long time in the sun at midday, without a hat or sunblock protection, feeling safe as my skin color is already brown. It was extremely hot and I started feeling dehydrated, after a while I had to stop for water. My body was absorbing heat, making mr weak and exhausted. After I got home I was shocked to see my face. I had some weird red bumps and was still not realizing what was happening. Today I am KO in bed, with fever, dizziness and ice on my face. They call it sun poisoning. Lesson learned.

Serpente in casa, che spavento

Mi sono appisolato in camera per un mezz’ora e quando sono uscito ho trovato questo bel serpente sul divano. Quando mi ha visto ha cercato subito di scappare ed e’ finito sul pavimento. Pero’ scivolava sulle piastrelle (povero) e non riusciva a trovare una via di fuga. Così ho chiesto aiuto. Mi hanno spiegato che questo tipo di serpenti non sono pericolosi. Vivono nei campi di riso e raramente vengono in casa. Avra’ sbagliato strada…  😉