Oz Adventures: Jol's Ubud Hideaway

Jol, a nurse who works with George at the hospital, is as crazy about Bali as George is about Mexico, visiting frequently for weeks at a time. We arranged to meet with her by driving up with her friend, Made, who acts as a tour guide and driver. The photo on the left shows Jol's friend, Jenny from Adelaide, Made and Jol.

Made (pronounced Ma-day) was a delightful guy with whom we thoroughly enjoyed conversing. His name is very common in Bali as tradition dictates that eldest child is named Wayan or Putu, the second born is called Made or Kadek, and those born third and fourth are named Nyoman or Komang and Kutut respectively. The fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth will be another Wayan, Made, Nyoman, Ketut and Wayan again. They also have a short middle name they never use and different last names that are given to have spiritual meanings. I'm sure it reduces the stress in finding a name but it can be confusing. George should like it because it gives one an excellent chance of getting someone's name right if he forgets. : )

However, Made broke with tradition and called his daughter Monica. Monica was his cousin's child but was adopted by Made and his wife since they were not able to have their own. Sharing children in the extended family is common because the Balinese believe children belong to the whole family. They believe in reincarnation and that they come back into the same family. It's one of the reasons that ancestors are venerated. We really enjoyed having someone who was willing to explain Bali to us and show us the sights.

Jol stays at a home stay with a Balinese family in their compound. Balinese often live in walled areas with several small cottages. Usually cooking is done outside in a central area with bedrooms and bathrooms in each little building. They spend most of their time outside; we saw someone sleeping and a child watching TV on the porch. Many family members stay in each cottage.