3/5 - Last evening in Ruteng, and 3/6 - First day in Bajawa

Mikel, Dus and me

3/5: Mikel and Dus came and met me in the afternoon and toured me around Ruteng. We visited the fish market, the vegetable market, and then they took me to visit the Village Headman.

The Village Headman with his mother (I think) and his wife (She never opens her eyes during photographs - even all the photos on the wall show her with her eyes closed).

The Headman and me

The Headman lives in a small wooden house. There is one main room in the front with the sacred instruments (they couldn't be played this evening due to a recent death in the neighborhood nearby), a fire pit, a few pieces of furniture, and no electricity. There are two smaller rooms sectioned off in the back of the house. Four families live in this house - a total of 22 people. We sat around, drank coffee, and exchanged stories (with my limited Indonesian and the help of Dus as a translator).

Quote from Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love (p. 194)

Elizabeth Gilbert told her friends at the ashram in India about her divorce and the difficult time she was having “letting go.” Later that evening her plumber/poet friend from New Zealand took her to this secret tower on the ashram, handed her a note and told her, “I’m going to lave you now. You’re going to go up there. Stay up there until it’s finished.” Here is what he typed on the note:

Instructions for Freedom.

1. Life’s metaphors are God’s instructions.

2. You have just climbed up and above the roof. There is nothing between you and the infinite. Now, let go.

3. The day is ending. It’s time for something that was beautiful to turn into something else that is beautiful. Now, let go.

4. Your wish for resolution was a prayer. Your being here is God’s response. Let go, and watch the stars come out – on the outside and on the inside.

5. With all your heart, ask for grace, and let go.

6. With all your heart, forgive him, FORGIVE YOURSELF, and let him go.

7. Let your intention be freedom from useless suffering. Then, let go.

8. Watch the heat of the day pass into the cool night. Let go.

9. When the karma of a relationship is done, only love remains. It’s safe. Let go.

10. When the past has passed for you at last, let go. Then climb down and begin the rest of your life. With great joy.

3/6: Once again, I traveled on the windiest road in the world, a four hour bus ride to the village of Bajawa, though the view was just as spectacular.

Afternoon walk in Bajawa, and view below of the volcano Inere