The chance of a lifetime

Today, I had the most amazing day of my life, no, this is too big of a statement, let me rephrase, in a long time. I am speechless about humanity and how faith works. I don’t quite know where to start so I will start from the beginning. Couple days ago, I received the most amazing facial paired with a facial massage. Because of what I do, I wanted to compliment my 100% natural custom made skin care, with something that I seen and experience in India, which is a rejuvenating facial massage. I believe this massage is far more effective than any $300.00 cream or botox! In India, the woman that works in spa do it to each other once a week. Their skin is almost wrinkle free and they are twice my age. They live in harsh condition combined with very toxic pollution and daily sun exposure. All the right ingredients to have a skin that aged and wrinkles faster than nature intended. Despite all odds, these woman, had the most beautiful facial feature, even if they were twice my age. I was lucky to witness that massage in person, and I have search since to find someone that can teach me. This massage also works with the Marma points. Marma-points originates from Ayurveda, which I am a lifetime learner of, since it is a very ancient science from India. One day the Western world will discover the Marma-point and it will be the next “big” thing to do. For me it is not about trends, but about its efficacy and common sense. The skin of a face cannot look radiant if it has congestion, blockage and overload of toxins. Massaging the Marma points, helps those liquid system behind our skin to transport nutrients and to eliminate toxins. It also works with energy. When you constantly trigger those points, action happens and the flow starts to happen. The massage itself, helps smooth the skin, almost like ironing the wrinkles with a magic cream! I have a very deep, what I call,a worry mark on my forehead, it disappeared for two days! I couldn’t believe it. I knew how powerful the massage was, but never experience right before my eyes such quick results. Imagine this massage combine with a moisturizer that is pure and potent! So, I couldn’t help asking the girl, where on earth did she learn to do this massage? She told me his name and she said he was a chiropractor from California. She also mentioned, that he actually trained the entire staff, in all the different types of massages. I asked her, if I could get a hold of him, she said to ask at the front desk, because he lived in Bali. I did ask, they gave me his phone number, I was petrify to call him. I have is phone number since Friday and I had to gather my courage to call him this morning at 9:45am. To my surprise, he accepted to see me at his place. So I call, my nice Balinese driver I met yesterday, and he came right over to pick me up. I couldn’t believe how well they pay attention, the front desk call him for me, when they handed me the phone he said, oh! Hi Lena, not only did he remember my name but my voice, well, I guess with my accent it's a good give away! We drove through another part of Ubud that I did not know, from the street the place didn't look like much, and I was surprised a westerner would live in this part of town. You quickly change your mind after entering the gates. What a beautiful compound! A very nice and kind man, he greeted me at the gate, even if he as trouble walking. He is not a spring chicken anymore, but neither am I! But his eyes are still full of life and vitality, a man with passion, and a man with good vibes. My first impression and contact was reassuring for me, as I was venturing to the unknown, one my own! As we walk through the estate, I am speechless, how fortunate one would be to live here, overlooking the peaceful rice paddies in this splendid property. After a nice discussion, which he told me a few things about himself and I told him, about myself, he agreed to teach me the massage, next Monday. I was shock to find out, he was the actual founder of the place where I am staying. Then, he tells me he has a proposition to tell me. I didn’t not expect, such a statement, but I am all ears. He explains to me that he wants to sell, as matter of fact there is people visiting the property right after me. He expressed that he would like to sell to someone that would turn this place, into a nice retreat place, a place of healing. A much better health retreat than what is already in Bali. He says that he was able to build this place with the money he made since arriving in Bali, which I am assuming he arrived here with very little money. He said he would help me with the business model and every details and training, required to open such a place. He said I could easily, have an income of $3000.00 to $4000.00 a week with only a few guest, as this is the kind of place, that has a good ratio per guest 1-3 (3 staff for one person) instead of the opposite. I explained to him, that this would be a dream come true, as I have fond my Dharma, and my Dharma is to help people heal, and these intentions are pure, and money, is not what drives my intentions! But I don’t have a dime to my name, at this moment, I took every penny I had left, to take one last chance and do something that is important to me. I hope writing my book, will be rewarding financially but if it isn’t, I least I did it, and I am sure the experience will have enriched me, in many ways, other than financially. I live for the moment, not for the money. So, I made him an offer, since I cannot afford to buy his place, but I could run the place for him, he would not have to move out of here, and he would be financially secure. He explained to me, it is not what he wants and the reasons why he wants to part with this place. His reasons are very legitimate, the place as many stairs and like any compound in Bali, nothing is just the next room, it is more the next building. He does have a hard time to walk around and I don’t blame him for wanting a peaceful retirement, without worries are duties. I explained to him, I was much honored and deeply touch by his offer and confidence in me, but I cannot afford to buy his place. Then he asked me, if I would pass the world around, and I said yes, even if deeply I want to keep this secret to myself. I am already thinking, how I could buy this place. The sad part is, what he is asking for,is less than any property I could buy in Caledon where my business is at the present moment. I thought for sure, he was going to say $2 or $3 million dollars, nope! As,I promised him to spread the word around, you can take a look for yourself, how beautiful his property his. He gave me a tour of the entire property, and yes, with very little changes this place could be turn into a health retreat. For more details, and feel free to pass this around, visit; www.griyashanti.com. You can tell this men knows what he is doing and when he does something he does it well, take a look at his web site and you will understand what I mean. Now, is there anyone back home, than can go and buy me a lottery ticket?! He actually told me his bottom price, it would be nothing to gather with partners, but people are not risk taker like me. I always go for my passion, not my security, because I always believe, life will take care of me, and so far, it always have! I hop back into my chauffer’s car, light as a feather and so thrill, this stranger that does not know me, had such a good exchange with me and better, I didn’t come there with any expectations, I was only inquiring, how I could learn this massage.Our next stop, is Waka di Ume, which I am schedule to meet with Atmasari, for my cooking lesson. To my surprise Atmasari, was a women. It is funny how you picture people you’ve been in contact with and it is never what you imagine! A tiny, vibrant women, I can’t wait to learn with her. You can see a picture of Atmasari and the kitchen I will be learning Balinese cuisine at; www.wakadiumeubud.com, click on the Balinese cooking lesson. The kitchen is outdoor and so inspiring. This resort, is up the hill from where I am now, in the rice paddies, overlooking at Ubud. It is far from my budget and I was embarrassed, when, while waiting for Atmasari, a Balinese brought me a fresh cold towel, fragrant with pure essential oils, gently inserted a frangipani flower, into my hair (this variety of Frangipani is unique to Bali and very fragrant, the flower is so beautiful, it looks like a fake flower) than he offered me the most refreshing drink, I ever had. Nice and cold Coconut water, with fresh coconut and lime. We have this drink at Ubud Sari, but they always serve it at room temperature, which is not always pleasant, and definitely impart a different flavor. I was so hot, that I could not refuse the gesture, but first I asked Atmasari if he knew I was not a guest here, she replyed, it didn’t matter as it was the custom here. My last stop, at least, that’s what I thought, was a place I wanted to visit since I got here, little bit more expensive but from what I saw on internet so beautiful. I wanted to see, if they were willing to give me a better deal if I stay longer than a week, I also wanted to visit the rooms, to make sure it was good for me. Their web site is lacking a photo gallery, if they did have one, the place would be fully booked at all time. Where I am now, is very nice, and very cute, but not convenient for me. I am sitting at a Japanese table all day long, this means my but is literally on the hard wood floor all day. Not to mention, the tiny aunts that are crawling all over me, my table and my papers! The thin cushion does not do much anymore and my back is killing me. It could be a good excuse to have more massages, but I am here to write not to be pampered, even if the temptation is at every corner you walk, I must restrain myself from spoiling myself! After all, I can always come back! Also, there is something about the energy of this place, that is not sitting right with me. Now, after meeting with Mr. Taylor, I know why. These are details I cannot reveal, as I respect his privacy and the ones of others.But,this place has a story, and that is the energy I feel,and I guess felt so heavy than it made me decide to look somewhere else. When we arrived to Tjampuhan, which I can’t even pronounce, I was speechless, how beautiful the property was. And there, I taught where I was, beautiful! The entire property is built on the cliff with a stunning view over a jungle ravine. I could not believe it, there is a breeze here, I though Bali was breezeless! The room as a nice balcony overlooking the ravine, I have a table and a chair on marble floor; I wouldn’t have to write inside all day. Where I am now, the only place I can sit, is the floor inside, outside is for the fish and the vegetation! When I first arrived, I knew right away, this was the kind of place I could not afford and I was right, when he pointed me the rate chart, I swallowed my saliva with deception. I could not afford to stay here. I quite don’t know how it happen, I managed to have the room, for the same cost as where I am now, with the promise not to tell a soul, of how much I am paying! I will keep my promise. But you can check out this paradise on earth at; www.hoteltjampuhan.com you will have a small idea, one of the reason I did not booked ahead, was because they have very few pictures on the web site. What you see, is better than ,what is on their web site. Funny enough , I thought to myself, my god ,I will feel like a Maharaja, staying here. Incidentally, one of the room is called the Raja room! As the clerk was writing my receipt, he pulls up a pair of reading glasses! I begged him to tell me, where I can find such a rare item, he scribble something on a paper which I handed to my driver and he said no problem. I have no clue how he could understand that scribble! The paper did not have an actual address, just a name, but we did find it. And for $7.00 I have my very first pair of reading glasses and I am not proud of this announcement. I can no longer brag that I still don’t need glasses, and have a pretty good vision. I am still hoping this is just a temporary discomfort related to a high humidity environment…It is now well over 3:00pm and I have not had lunch, and my breakfast was at 7:00am, so I am pretty hungry, I feel so good, I invited my driver to lunch with me, which he first declined, but when I said it was my treat he gladly accepted. What better way to find out things about Bali, than to hang around with those that live here? We had a great time and very good conversation, I am lucky he speaks pretty good English, considering he is self-thought, from talking with tourists. Coincidently, he chose the restaurant I was supposed to have cooking lesson tonight at 5. But I didn’t like the menu we were suppose to learn, and something was telling me, not to participate in this one. On the other hand, I would of never chosen this restaurant, simply from looking at it. But when you venture into the garden, it is stunning how big the place is. Each table has its own little space, like an oasis among a beautiful garden, and the further deep into the garden the more you find tables. He asked me if I wanted a Japanese style table or one with chairs. Dewa, ( my chauffer’s name) if you only knew how sick I am of Japanese tables! The meal was delicious and I was stunt on how fast, our meal was served to us. I didn’t even have time to take a sip of my drink! Dewa, gave me a good analogy of most places in Bali, it is like a bottle, first you see this very small opening, once you pass that narrow passage, there is more and more the further you go, and it is much bigger than what the front shows. I was in shock when Dewa told me he was 35, I thought he was 25, so we laugh, I said, it must not be just the food, it must be the water too! I hope Dewa lets me take a picture of him, so I can show what I mean. And then, he said, I drive you back home now? I said; oh! No, to my hotel, not home! We laugh more, Dewa has a good sense of humour and very genuine. I wish all the taxi driver in Canada, in North America I should say, were like him. My entire day, chauffeured around, $20. I will no longer walk distance, only to arrive wet like a sponge! So Dewa is picking me up after my cooking lesson tomorrow, to move me to my new home! I don’t need him to drine me to the class, Atmasari will pick me up. I am truly sorry, if today’s blog is so long, I just hope it is not too monotonous, for you the reader, this all really happen in one day and I spared you the details of my search for a bank that would cash my travelers checks!