The possibilities of meeting a new face from a different country are endless here. Aside from my newest friend from India who has already taught me many of her cultures and inspired me, I met an interesting soul last week from Pakistan -- the Carpet Man from Pakistan (as I have dubbed him). I volunteered to help at a carpet bazaar and that is where I met him.
The Carpet Man from Pakistan (who now lives in Bali) arranged to have hundreds of hand-woven and machine made carpets (rugs as we in the US call them) and spices brought up to Tembagapura to sell. These are opportunities we thrive upon, especially getting the chance to shop and for something unique right in town!!
I walked into the hall (where I am to volunteer as a greeter and help point out the differences between hand woven carpets and machine made to potential buyers), the hall was full from side to side with hundreds of various rugs. It was so full that it left the hall with no acoustics. I was given a tour from one of the other Ibus on the differences etc. There is a HUGE difference between hand woven and machine made. She then left me in the hall, it was just me and the Carpet Man from Pakistan.
He and I sat for hours and he told me of his life in Pakistan especially the story of how he and his wife met. It was a Romeo and Juliet tale of clashing families and two star-crossed lovers. He told me how they ran away together for three days (a pre-wedding celebration, wink wink (so not allowed)) and upon their return she was taken home by her father for disobeying. The Carpet Man detailed how every day he went to her house and asked her father for her hand in marriage and every day the door was slammed in his face. Everyday he could see her looking at him from her window as he walked away (break your heart, right?). One day he couldn't take it anymore and knocked on the door, the door opened and there again was her father, the Carpet Man slowly sat down on the stoop and said he wasn't going to leave without her and would die there from starvation and thirst if that is what was meant to be. The door slammed (UGH- killing me!!). But a few moments later the door opened and it was her, his Juliet (YAY!).
The day went on and the Carpet Man told stories of the ancient rugs that filled the room as we stood on them feeling their texture with our toes -- one depicted war planes before dropping deadly bombs, others were more inconspicuous detailing the tree of life and the Garden of Eden. They were all so unique and special and as he told their stories the room changed, it became a haunted gallery full of historical life (gave me the goose bumps). That night he cooked a Pakistani dinner at the Lupa Lela for the community and it was delicious! A great end to a great day.
As I have said before the friendships here are the foundations of this community. If not for that it wouldn't be a place worth living in. And what a fantastic community we have. The thing I love about it is yes, there are many groups of friends within the community but we all, for the most part, support and care for each other on such an amazing level.
My most recent experience of said support was for a friend of mine. It was her birthday and, of course, we only do things to the nines here it was more than just her birthday, it was a celebration. This friend has undergone such an astonishing transformation. She has worked tirelessly to transform her physical self but through the process has transformed her inner self, as well. Just being around her, her energy is contagious along with her drive and determinations. She is such an inspiration to us all. The night at her birthday party I stood back and looked at everyone and how it was a gathering for her, a celebration for her accomplishments and a testament of our love and support. Such is a true gift!!
Life in the jungle continues to go on and we are getting closer to our trip to Fiji. We are all looking forward to some sun and warm weather.
As always, to be continued....
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