Clotheslines: An open window to the soul of a people

Photo: Dan King

Clotheslines are a window into the soul of other people’s lives. From a seemingly small part of life, you can observe the daily ins and outs of the culture, the things you don’t get to see as a tourist. This is part of why we travel. Not just to see the sights, hear the sounds, and taste the wonderful food. We also travel to gain some insight into how the locals live, maybe even get to meet the people. Taking a look at the clotheslines outside of someone’s home is a perfect way to gain this understanding. And many tours give you the opportunity to see that, thus allowing us to understand the social and economic conditions of a country and the people who live there. But if they don’t, pay attention to the sights you see along the way. Even an unwitting tour guide will pass a local community on the way to a major sight. Some of the places that have given me this particular vantage point I took with Grand Circle Travel (www.gct.com ) or Overseas Adventure Travel (www.oattravel.com ). And of course, many I have taken independently.

Visit Bali and see their Sacred Spaces

Indonesia is filled with many temple complexes, and you can certainly get "templed out" if you are not careful. The major temple complexes in  Java, one Hindu and one Buddhist , are among the most important temple complexes in the world. In Bali there are thousands of temples and shrines, Hindu and Buddhist alike. A visit to these monuments will likely bring you a sense of peace regardless of your religion if you go with an open mind and a caring heart. There is a great deal Westerners can learn from the Eastern religions, and the experience of visiting these sacred spaces is at once educational and peaceful. You can see them on your own with private drivers and other transportation arrangements. However, for a very comprehensive two week trip to Indonesia to see them including as visit with a local family and schools, contact Overseas Adventure Travel.

Enjoy Bali and the Highlights of a Fire Dance

Jann Segal

Bali is not a destination most Americans visit. In fact, the majority of English speaking foreigners there are from Australia. Americans should give this destination a second thought. On an airline like Taiwanese carrier EVA, it is easy to fly there with one change of planes, and from the West Coast there is literally no jet lag in spite of the time difference. The food is wonderful, the beaches among the most scenic in the world, and the authentic Asian Pacific island culture is second to none. Where else do you get to see the traditional fire dances like the one pictured above?