Indonesian Lantern May-June 2014/2nd Edition | Page 24

Indonesian Lantern Magazine − 24

Indonesian Lantern Magazine− 25

iNDONESIANA

From Bali to Bala and
back again and again and agaiN

S

“Dang Dut in America”
Kembali Menggoyang

itting back at home Philly in a dream state of

also which the foreigners

(pronounced bay-cha). Those

come over and take me for a spin

a muzzy time warp, I can hardly believe I flew

who lay claim to this amazing

of you who either saw my very

around the hills of our neighbor-

halfway around the world to my beloved Bali,

landscape and culture experi-

own becak at my show this year,

hood. I tip way better than the

and back again to my beloved Bill and Daniel. The time

ence through this very tourism.

or heard the thrill in my voice

average Javanese.

away – though measured in hours, days, weeks – feels

Surrounded by endless con-

when I spoke of how I came to

like cristalized moments that filled my soul overflowing

tradictions, I am just a visitor,

own one (a long held dream

Now, back to this reality, I just

with experiences and emotions, now banked away to

fortunate enough to be able

of mine), know how dear they

returned from a walk on this

be drawn on as needed throughout the year. Such a

to come to and fro and also

are to my heart. Each year as I

glorious warm spring day,

M

sweet month, healing and restorative with the needed

to choose the lenses through

return home to Yogya there are

catching a glimpse of the first

menyanyi Dang Dut yang digelar

salve of lots of laughter mixed with tears. Trying to get

which I view this conundrum.

fewer and fewer on the road,

clump of white snowdrops (early

VOA bekerjasama dengan NSR

to the airport to fly home, yet immobilized in the traffic

As the Balinese rice farmer

or at least, ferrying passengers

spring flowers) bursting from the

Production.

with little time to spare, blocked behind a walking funeral

stares up at me, I am humbled

to and fro. More than most sit

wooded floor. Nearb 䰁