Sounds of Ubud June 2017

There is something incredible about the sounds of Ubud I have yet to encounter anywhere else in the world.  The streets are loud, motorbikes revving up their engines, tour buses full of tourists making their way on narrow streets, fumes of exhaust and cigarette smoke filling the air. And then you make a turn.

As much as I didn't enjoy the throngs of people, The Sacred Monkey Forest was a quiet place in a middle of city chaos. Vines and banyon trees dripping from top to roots created a green oasis even as girls squirmed and delivered unreasonably high pitched squeals. 

Walking into a local Balinese neighborhood instantly deafens the noise. One turn, one meter, one corner, it doesn't need much and just like a snap of fingers, there is a change in atmosphere. It's immediate and surreal.

My neighborhood in central Ubud 

 After Heather left this afternoon, I made my way to Agung Rai Museum of Art. It's indescribable how I had to dodge traffic to cross streets and breathe in nasty exhaust to get there.  And then in an instant I turned left to the entrance. Calming sounds of water flowing through the fountains, gentle music playing in the background, quiet square with a bench and a local greeting me with a smile.

      View from the aforementioned bench

I find that the noise and quiet change me. I generally have a very fast walking pace. As a rule, most students who have traveled abroad with me absolutely hate it. Few can keep up and I can take over slow walkers like nobody's business. I will walk as fast as possible to avoid the next person who offers me a taxi, bracelet, a dress or 5 more taxis. I always look like I know where I am going (Maury says "THAT was a lie!") I enjoy walking briskly but it is certainly a solo traveler safety tactic. No one messes with a girl on a mission. However, I noticed, when 

I enter these oasis of calm my walk completely changes. Subconsciously, I come to an almost stand still soaking up the energy and sounds of these unique places. Body knows before the mind, I suppose. 

Ubud is special and it transcends calmness into something I have never experienced. You just need to know where to make that turn.