I have a new addition to my Balinese family. Her name is Lala (meaning “spicy” in Balinese) and she is a lively and very friendly white puppy. Since I have traveled all my life, Lala is my very first dog and a true delight. I have made sure that she is getting all of her shots (rabies is a fact of life in Bali) and when she is a little older will have her spayed (hundreds of unwanted dogs are routinely rounded up and put down here). Have already bought her the best puppy chow and a number of toys and have made the realization that if you spoil your grandchildren, you are definitely going to spoil your dog! There are limits however to the latter. When I mentioned to Wayan (my houseman) that I was going shopping to get Lala a bed, he tried not to laugh and said to me with as much respect as possible: “Mr. Alan, in Bali dogs do not have beds.” When I leave Bali in April, Wayan will take Lala to his home compound where his extended family lives. It is a kind place. Lala will not have a bed, but she will have a safe place to live out her life and I will leave knowing that I left a healthy dog behind.

After Lala first arrived about three weeks ago, I was in the swimming pool sitting on a step. It was a beautiful evening, just before sunset. A dove flew down from a flowering tree and began to drink from the pool. She knew I was there but was unafraid. I looked up and saw many other species of birds in their beautiful colors perched on their favorite branches. A couple of calm, neighborhood cats were poking around eyeing in vain the many large goldfish that swim about in the garden´s stream. I thought about the family of alu (monitor lizards) and the python that live in the jungle just outside the walls of my house and felt an enormous sense of peace and unity with life that blesses my stay on this magical island. I am healing, growing stronger, writing, and preparing physically and spiritually for my return to the United States.

Alan