Living in the Jungle

Days have melted by as we end our first week.  We have been out to the coast to spend time with Justin, Arielle, Lisa, and Charlie who have been hanging out in a surfing town called Brawa Beach. Earlier this week we visited Green School for the first time and we were blown away.  It is far more amazing and magical than we expected.  The bamboo structures nestled amongst the banana and coconut trees along the river is simply too much.  There is food growing everywhere on campus--eggplant, basil, tomatoes, squash, beans, and on and on everywhere you look.  There are cows, goats, and pigs mostly kept for their manure in an effort to produce enough biomass to trap and keep methane.  Their manure gets mixed with the human manure from campus.  So far there is little gas being harvested--apparently a lot more manure is needed.

Though I was against it at first we decided to live in a house on campus.  Originally the thought of living and working at the same place was of no interest to me.  However, after seeing the house and realizing it is really separate from the school, we decided we couldn't pass up the chance.  The house is entirely constructed of bamboo--frame, floor, cabinets, furniture, railings, toilets, shower, stairs--everything!  It is indoor/outdoor living--we are completely exposed day and night. There is no front door, no locks, few windows (and mostly for show).  It is deluxe camping and we love it!  Our first night was amazing as we were lulled to sleep by the gentle jungle symphony.  And the commute time is perfect for me--about a 2 minute walk to my office.

Tomorrow we head off on a bike ride with the founder of GS, John Hardy and then to a ceremony on campus honoring the god of knowledge.  I have to shop for a few clothing items--a head piece and a white or yellow sash--and will be expected to wear a sarong.  On Monday work begins for me and we start the week with a long walk in the rice fields followed by cultural workshops.  I can't wait!  

I can't believe it's only been a week!  -Andy

  Our new dining room

  The entry into our house
  The kitchen
 Rice patti in Ubud
  Heart of School

  Kaila's new buddy Oscar from Lithuania
  On campus

  Bridge crossing from where we live to campus--now part of my "commute"

  View from teacher housing area

We have arrived in Bali!

After a solid 26 hours of traveling we arrived on Balinese soil.  We were met by Arielle, Justin, Charlie, and Lisa.  It was a sweet reunion for Kaila and Arielle!  A Balinese family from Green School picked us up and drove us to Ubud.  Driving here is insane!!!  We are staying is a cute little hotel in the heart of Ubud, Bali's cultural center.  There is a vibrancy here, lots of energy and artistic expression.  We had a great dinner with the kids and then they headed back to the beach (at least we hope they make it as they got lost the last time they tried).  We ended our night sitting on the patio outside our room listening to gamelon music and watching Balinese dancers through the trees.  It has been a good first few hours in Bali!

 Kaila loved the free socks

 Our final good-bye with grandma and grandpa
  Getting ready to leave
  Kaila was ready to get the show on the road

 Our first dinner in Bali
 Hotel
 Justin and Lisa
  What safety laws?

 Proof that you really only need a scooter

 Kaila's first gamelon experience

 Arielle and Kaila jamming the gamelon music
 View of a temple from dinner

Tonight's the night!

Well, it's finally happening.  We are leaving for the airport in about an hour to catch our 2am flight to Hong Kong and the to Bali.  It has truly been one of the most amazing experiences getting ready to leave.  To condense your life down to two duffle bags is a great experience in non-attachment.  It is liberating and refreshing.  But what has been most amazing is saying good-bye to so many incredible people.  From the last day of school to tonight we have visited with all of our closest friends and family--a little tour of our lives spanning from Bend to Los Angeles.  We feel so fortunate to be loved and appreciated by so many people and we take all of your love with us on this new adventure. We will miss you all so much and look forward to a sweet home-coming in a few short years.  We are so excited!!!

We will see you down the road...