Page 32 - Taliesin's Rainbow

What have we done?

Where There Be Dragons, Fall 2011 : In-Field

We are a mere __ days into our home-stays in Tanggayuda. I use
the number __ for two reasons. First and foremost I simply can’t
remember, and I don’t care to. Second, I have begun to realize
that time conveys nothing, as no number could even begin to
reveal the amount of personal growth that has taken place on
this journey. No Westerner should consider themselves grown
until they have battled the pseudo-hypothermia that is a con-
sequence of a frigid bucket shower at 6:00 in the morning, nor
until they have grown accustomed to using their left hand as a
bidet. Americans feel entitled to so many pleasures that argu-
ably do nothing to, or remarkably even lower the quality of our
lives. This has never been more apparent to me than during our
purely educational visit to the Denpasar mall. It is fair to say
that many Balinese idolize Americans. To them we are rich and
white, which is all many of them want (many Balinese now lit-
erally bleach their skin!).