Food for Thought
In This specific 21st century, Bali can be rarely referred to as a paradise. Aldous Huxley within the mid-20th century wrote a book entitled ‘The Island’ in which he describes a utopian paradise of communities on a beautiful island paradise. He was writing about Bali. Despite centuries of trading, associations with foreigners as well as colonization by the Dutch, Bali remained basically the same. Until the mid-eighties Bali was still an island paradise, far removed through the polluted, modern ways of the West. Foreigners, even after living here for decades, lived within the prevailing culture as well as respected the nature of the land as well as its people.
When a certain group of travellers as well as surfers came within the seventies as well as eighties, they came here to live a simple life. Bamboo huts on the beach with sand floors were considered a luxury because of the simplicity as well as one’s proximity to nature. The lack of electricity made Bali all the more magical. A dinner party was a dozen people gathering to share a meal. Torches were lit as well as music was possible with batteries in a cassette player with speakers. Larger parties meant getting a car battery for sounds. Some restaurants like Blue Ocean as well as Made’s had electricity as well as served jaffles, juices as well as additional western cuisine. Enough to please the palate. although the idea obviously wasn’t enough.
The dirty old Dutch kerosene lamps gave way to ‘clean’ electricity. Everyone had to possess the idea as well as there went the magic. With electricity one could see at night; not the stars although what else was coveted. A refrigerator, a real oven, hot water as well as why not a TV? Bring one for Wayan, too. The first TV shows here were the Flintstones as well as the A-Team, which was followed by a rash of burglaries; a few where the victims were tied up. Where to put all these items dragged here by happy travellers? In a home of your own where curious natives could be locked out. The subject of ownership arose. People through additional lands started out looking around as well as coveting what they couldn’t buy. So they settled for long leases. the idea was theirs as well as they had paid for the idea. They began demanding options to extend because right now they were invested. as well as all Great foreigners know an investment has to grow as well as yields a profit. the idea’s only natural, the idea’s only fair. All the work for one’s own comfort must have gross profit written in somehow.
Food was a big thing. How long can you go without a big juicy steak as well as some fries? the idea was fabulous when 66 put in an Italian restaurant as well as then a string of lovely little cafes sprung up on Rum Jungle road; Thai food, a great French restaurant, a Natural Café. Made’s Warung was just not enough as well as restaurants are profit. On visa runs to Singapore, these lovers of Bali could hit McDonalds. When McDonalds arrived in Bali there were some grumblings although also a lot of customers. With the easy to use highways in which run sporadically throughout the island, right now come the fast food venues. Starbucks, Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts are all here to stay. The Balinese did not request them. They did not bless them. Rather the gluttony, the misplaced desires of the foreigners created a market for these corporate food vendors. Indonesians saw them as a symbol of prosperity, cool venues of western taste. On an island where obesity was rarely, if ever seen, right now chubby kids as well as adults are not an uncommon sight. On an island where once there was little malnutrition, right now the idea can be a big problem.
Sadly prosperity as well as consumerism create poverty. Cheap labour can be expected. Prices of food skyrocket. Rice paddies disappear as well as cement buildings go up housing more mega stores for all the imported as well as local foods, furniture, computers, cars as well as additional necessities demanded by consumers. This specific all requires more electricity.
When people who right now live within the suburban areas all over Bali complain about the excessive traffic as well as the filthy beaches full of plastic, perhaps they should take a moment out of their day as well as look within. Why did you come here? Did you come here to experience the magic of Bali? If so, what are you doing sequestered in a villa, alone in your pool, one of over a thousand in Canggu alone. This specific was the island where one never saw hunger. Where happy Balinese taught us daily what was important in life. This specific can be where we learned to be so satisfied with so little. There can be little satisfaction within the eyes of fresh arrivals when they land in Bali. Tourists express disappointment. They do not understand why the Balinese could allow such rabid growth.
The Balinese had little to do with the idea. The rice farmer did not understand compounded interest when he borrowed against his land. He wanted his children to go to school, maybe a fresh motorbike. although not This specific. The lucky ones got rich, for a while. right now you can still have a pembantu for about the same you paid thirty years ago… a little over a hundred dollars a month. About the same as a westerner spends at the supermarket in one visit. Food prices have gone up for the locals. Indonesians spend 40% of their income on food. in which’s basic food. in which can be food for thought. Think about how you live as well as who benefits. the idea can be not the Balinese.
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Food for Thought
Food for Thought