Healing ways

I woke up yesterday morning sneezing and snuffling but thought I could continue with my plans for the day. I was scheduled to take a jamu class from the herbal store connected to Westi's (the herbal walk guide) family. Jamu is a healthy drink made from turmeric and the class also demonstrated how to make a body scrub, body mask, and body oil.

It was a great class. Two lovely young women were in the class which was led by Angelo, Westi's brother. By the time we had made the jamu (a little too sour for me--I would cut back on the tamarind and increase the palm sugar) and the body scrub, I was sniffling and feeling pretty uncomfortable. Angelo's mother, a petite Balinese woman with a warm grin and one tooth who brought tea to everyone who entered the store (and even to Dale who was waiting for me outside), decided to take care of me. She brought me a sarong and sent me to change (all done with absolutely no English--I was not sure what was happening). I didn't know how to tie the sarong so came out to some big grins. She tightened up my outfit and proceeded to put the body scrub (made with red rice, ginger, cloves, coriander, cardamon, nutmeg, patchouli leaves) on my temples, behind my ears and massage it onto my arms and back. I felt much better.

Chopping herbs for concoctions while Angelo's mother brings tea.

Experiencing Balinese healing.

Bali really is a paradise. Despite all the tourists, people smile and are unbelievably friendly, there is beautiful artwork everywhere, and the land is lush with greenery.