Life on the Bike in Bali

Thurs. March 11th
Yogi offered to take me around on his bike today, and I was a little hesitant, but I was living in the moment and said 'yes.' I really wanted to see an orphanage and he said that he had no clue where there was one in Bali but that we would find it. It took us a while, and I really did think that I was going to die today, no joke. There don't seem to be any rules for the roads in Bali--2 lanes really end up being 4, bikes weave in and out of small crevasses to try to get ahead, and people drive on one way streets; going the wrong way.

Yogi must have stopped a dozen times to ask local men on the side of the road for this one particular orphanage. I felt like a freak every time we stopped as all the men would turn and gawk at the 'white girl' and snicker, but I really didn't care because I wanted to find the orphanage, and Yogi was determined to make me happy!

I also realized today that I think I have a serious sweating problem...lol... because I felt like I was doing hot yoga without moving at all.... but it was well worth it, because we finally found it: The Dharma Jati Hindu Orphanage, established in 1985. It's led by 2 local people whose intention is to run an orphanage to take care of orphans and the poor in order for them to have a "good future life and education to be kind, honest, good mental and mannered, as well as having cultural minded." There are 200 orphans living in this building, ranging from 3 - 23 years old. I didn't feel sad at all when I came in, as the children were very happy and well taken care of. I was blessed to have met such an amazing woman, who has devoted her life to running this orphanage and taking in all of these children.

After leaving the orphanage, Yogi suggested taking me to Dream Land, a famous surfing beach -- where we went swimming. From there, we went to a Balinese Cultural center, a huge place with massive Hindu statues and temples.

By this point, it had gotten dark, and Yogi took me back to my hotel, where I quickly showered and got ready to go to a local Balinese restaurant for dinner, which again, was amazing.