Whoa
Hello friends,
My last post had 120 views, which is unreal, but only 30 of you are subscribed. If you’re a consistent reader, don’t be shy and subscribe! I don’t bite!
I’ve made some updates to the blog, including a new picture and title — aptly named UNREAL for short.
Hope you enjoy the new post. It’s significantly lighter.
Where I’ve been
Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia (1/13-1/17)
Partially gentrified surfer town
Great food, even better yoga
Canggu, Bali, Indonesia (1/17-1/20)
Fully gentrified party town
Great food, expensive Vegas-style clubs
Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia (1/20-Current)
Lesser traveled island in Bali with decent food and very friendly people
What I’ve loved
Eating incredible local and western food
Strong AC in my hostels
Incredible yoga
The $20 ring I picked up at a hole in the wall jewelry shop in Uluwatu
How crazy some Aussies are
What I’ve loved less
Unfriendly stray dogs
Saying goodbye to friends
Locals that try to rip you off (but do I blame them?)
Traffic (it was sooo crowded in Canggu)
Seeing how easy it is for 10 year olds to ride mopeds when I can’t
What the fuck is going on?
I’m currently sitting on the beach with a constant breeze blowing in my face, reading Greenlights, and awaiting another magical sunset. This is the same place I sat last night to watch the sunset and where I met an Indian couple, who synchronistically told me about Rishikesh for yoga retreats — the place recommended by the Canadian stranger in Five.
Earlier today, I completed my Advanced Diving Certification (I saw Octopuses having sex) and learned how to drive a moped from my scuba instructor (yes, you read that right). The man brought me to his home and let me ride around on his moped for over an hour.
Yesterday, I dove twice as part of the training. We dove to 28 meters (91 feet) below sea level. Apparently the group saw a hammerhead shark during the dive (higher up), but I missed it. At one point, I got high from breathing in too much Nitrogen (referred to as Nitrogen Narcosis). It was fun.
The day before, I tried (and failed) to ride a moped. I then paid the man renting me the moped to taxi me around the island for the afternoon. I saw the craziest beaches and traversed my way down a cliffside to a stunning swimming pool. The way down was sketch af… at one point, I was walking down a creaking wooden ladder facing a 300ft drop to the ocean… alone. The other ladders down were metal and rusting. I’m scared of heights btw.
Several dogs just started shrieking in fear behind me from what appears to be a bully dog… bullying. A woman came out from a restaurant holding a plastic crate above her head threatening to throw it at the dogs to make them stop. They did.
In addition to my farmers tan, I now have a flip flop tan. And some sunburn on my back because I’m still learning to apply it myself.
What the fuck is going on?
I had no intentions of writing a post but in sheer awe, I felt I needed to get this down on paper because none of it makes sense.
Let’s go deeper.
The morning after my trauma dump 😅, I took an incredible yoga class in Uluwatu. The class was special. After an intense 90 minutes, I felt compelled to introduce myself to the teacher and compliment her teaching style. The conversation about yoga retreats with the Canadian woman was still on my mind and I was curious.
We had a quick chat and I left. Though, I felt incomplete not having asked to connect on instagram (something travelers do often).
So, I proceeded to find (stalk?) her on instagram and send her a DM. I was curious about her practice and where she learned. In referencing her training, she responded with the only sentence I needed to hear:
It was a very intense awakening and healing journey.
She had me.
To my surprise, she agreed to get coffee and share more (I drank matcha obv).
A very intense hour and a half long conversation ensued. The synchronicities were endless. And we finished the conversation with a big sigh, which telepathically, we knew meant:
What the fuck just happened.
Astral forces collided. Or in non-woo woo english, something clicked (made that up btw; it sounded cool).
I knew right then and there that it was my calling to go to South Africa for seven weeks and participate in the same Yoga Teacher Training that led her here. As I come back to earth, I’m still warming up to the idea though.
I don’t know why, or how, but there are few things in life that elicit this type of feeling (drugs excluded). I call it: inner knowing.
It’s a deep sensation in my chest that just feels right.
So that’s how we got here: searching Airbnb for an apartment in Cape Town (writing that just makes me laugh).
Tomorrow, I have no plan. The next day, same story. The only thing I know right now is that I fly to Thailand on Jan 30th and the yoga training starts on Mar 4th. There’s a chance I’ll scuba dive with Manta Rays on Friday but that’s up to the tides and currents (read: universe). I never thought I’d be venturing to South Africa during my travels, but here we are.
Oh and the yoga teacher? She just found out she is going to be co-teaching the training. So our path does not end here.
What the fuck is going on.
Love you all,
Jacob
Pics
And this is why I hiked down a cliffside:
Greenlights - drumming in africa scene 🎬
Talk about synchronicities. Im sitting w sara katie and filling her in about your journey right when you posted 7. Our hearts are with you and so excited to continue watching you follow your inner knowing/heart.
what an amazing week in all the ways you’ve had. 💕