“You’re sure that this is going to be alright?”  I ask my Balinese guide, Mr. Lucky.  “They won’t mind being photographed while they work?”  “It will be fine,” he says calmly.  “Just be mindful of your step and follow me.”  I can’t believe  I’m doing this…  we’re doing this…  hiking into a rice field…  with […]

I’m so excited that I can hardly stand it…  I feel my excitement growing as I enter the classroom.  “Good morning, Miss Lisa,” a group of young voices say to me.  “Good morning,” I reply.  I see beautiful, dark-eyed children looking at me with big, infectious smiles.  Their warm greeting lets me know they are […]

I shine my flashlight on my watch and see that it’s 4:10 a.m.  Seriously…  I can’t believe I’m doing this at this hour… “We are ready to begin,” our guide says.  “Let’s go.”  With our flashlights leading the way, the four of us walk through the darkness toward Batur Volcano.  I’m excited, although I’m usually afraid […]

I see a saturation of color everywhere I look.  There is an extreme richness to the green hues that blanket this island.  The sky seems bluer here.  The clouds seem whiter.  The soil looks richer.  It’s all around me and can’t be ignored.  Even the fabrics in the marketplaces are woven in rich, colorful patterns.  […]

It was hard to leave the daily rhythm of the yoga retreat at Soulshine Bali Hotel.  What an an incredible and transformative experience it was to meet the group of women that were there and practice yoga next to them as we gazed out into the rice fields.  I look forward to reconnecting with them next […]

Today is my last excursion with Mr. Lucky, and I know I’m going to miss his kindness and sense of adventure.  I look at his smiling face as he enthusiastically tells me about where we’re going.  “This area, Mas Village, is known for woodcarvers,” he says.  “They’ve been a community for many years, and they […]