Food for Thought
In This particular 21st century, Bali will be rarely referred to as a paradise. Aldous Huxley inside 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 along with colonization by the Dutch, Bali remained basically the same. Until the mid-eighties Bali was still an island paradise, far removed via the polluted, modern ways of the West. Foreigners, even after living here for decades, lived inside prevailing culture along with respected the nature of the land along with its people.
When a certain group of travellers along with surfers came inside seventies along with 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 along with 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 along with 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 along with Made’s had electricity along with served jaffles, juices along with various other 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 hold the idea along with 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 along with why not a TV? Bring one for Wayan, too. The first TV shows here were the Flintstones along with 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 via various other lands began looking around along with coveting what they couldn’t buy. So they settled for long leases. the idea was theirs along with they had paid for the idea. They began demanding options to extend because right now they were invested. along with all not bad foreigners know an investment has to grow along with 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 along with some fries? the idea was fabulous when 66 put in an Italian restaurant along with 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 along with restaurants are profit. On visa runs to Singapore, these lovers of Bali would certainly hit McDonalds. When McDonalds arrived in Bali there were some grumblings although also a lot of customers. With the easy to use highways of 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 along with adults are not an uncommon sight. On an island where once there was little malnutrition, right now the idea will be a big problem.
Sadly prosperity along with consumerism create poverty. Cheap labour will be expected. Prices of food skyrocket. Rice paddies disappear along with cement buildings go up housing more mega stores for all the imported along with local foods, furniture, computers, cars along with various other necessities demanded by consumers. This particular all requires more electricity.
When people who right now live inside suburban areas all over Bali complain about the excessive traffic along with the filthy beaches full of plastic, perhaps they should take a moment out of their day along with 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 particular was the island where one never saw hunger. Where happy Balinese taught us daily what was important in life. This particular will be where we learned to be so satisfied with so little. There will be little satisfaction inside eyes of completely new arrivals when they land in Bali. Tourists express disappointment. They do not understand why the Balinese would certainly 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 completely new motorbike. although not This particular. 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. of which’s basic food. of which will be food for thought. Think about how you live along with who benefits. the idea will be not the Balinese.
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Food for Thought
Food for Thought