Before I write more about what happened
last year in Ubud, if you’re a fan of books and literature, interesting
festival coming up in October over in Ubud – Bali. Ubud Writers and Readers Festival brings you Indonesian and
international writers, readers, thinkers and artists together in the unique
setting of Ubud to engage in conversations and exchange ideas.Check www.ubudwritersfestival.com to
find out their programs and see if it’s not too late to volunteer for the
festival.
It was a great experience volunteering
for Ubud Writers Readers Festival ( UWRF ) from 5 – 9 October 2011. I worked
with other 200 volunteers from all over the world, guess we all came to Ubud
with one big mission : to participate, and didn’t want to miss the experience sitting
with readers from all over the world, having discussions with your favorite
writers surrounded by the enchanting view of Ubud nature and valley the
festival. I applied to volunteer for UWRF Special
Events and Community & Arts
Program ( they have so many
sections you can choose to volunteer ),once I received a reply from them, I booked
my flight ticket which was just like a pass for the whole fun in my own little
adventure.
Arrived in Bali on Saturday
afternoon, 1st October 2011, I was sooo happy to see my old buddy
Doddy picked me up in the airport. He took me to Kuta to see my friends Widya and Indri, we spent
the whole afternoon riding around town and watched the sunset at Dreamland. Shame
Dreamland beach was a bit dirty, it was one of my favorite beaches while
sipping drinks or dip in the pool at Kelapa Restaurant. Then we went back to
the hotel, showered, had some chicken satays at Javanese restaurant, shopping a
bit after that we went to Sky Garden at Legian – a great night out everyone
would recommend you to go, it has 3 levels including a mostly open roof top, cheap
drinks, all in all…great party atmosphere. This night club reminded me of good
old times with Club Med staffs, we came here a lot after finished working. Work hard, play hard.
Spent a night with Widya and
Indri at Berlian Inn at Poppies Lane 1, the backpackers district in Kuta, I left
the next morning, took a shuttle bus at 10 am to Ubud with Perama Tours at Legian Street (
Rp 50.000 one way ). Reached Ubud in the afternoon, I took ojek / motorcycle taxi to Ubud market where I was planning to stay
with my friend Bop who lived just one block from the market. Me and Bop used to work together in Malaysia for 6 months, he was an incredible colleague for me. Moved to Bali 2 years ago, he is now working as a general manager
at Swasti Eco Cottages ( www.baliswasti.com
), living such a happy life with his gorgeous girlfriend.
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| Dinner with Bop |
On Tuesday morning, I had my
first meeting with all UWRF volunteers and supervisors. The work schedule was
pretty easy, only 1 to 3 hours a day. I’d be assisting for Tribute Night, Words in Motion and Poetry Slam Competition. Some Balinese artists and international
poets from Australia and UK were scheduled to read poems, we also invited the
audience to join Poetry Slam Competition. I found it very interesting to see how each
person had unique ways reading their own poems. Some were talking about love,
food, women, Bali, even tourist behavior.
When I didn’t have any volunteer
schedule with UWRF, I went bike riding around Ubud to check out their amazing
landscape and also joined some of the discussions. Each day UWRF had different
programs in different locations, always double check with your book programs about
the locations and themes. My favorite discussion was about independent women
led by Debra Yatim – a woman
activist, Djenar Maesa Ayu – an author,
and two others newspaper editor.
At the last day of the festival, UWRF organized street party at Gotama st, and closing party at Don Blanco Antonio Museum. The venues were packed with local people, tourists, artists and volunteers enjoying performance by Rio Sidik Quartet band, DJs, international poets and many more.
At the last day of the festival, UWRF organized street party at Gotama st, and closing party at Don Blanco Antonio Museum. The venues were packed with local people, tourists, artists and volunteers enjoying performance by Rio Sidik Quartet band, DJs, international poets and many more.
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| before Tribute Night @ Pura Dalem |
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| Get ready for Poetry Slam Competition @ CP Lounge |
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Words in Motion @ Lotus Stage
Stilt Puppets
Rio Sidik Quartet :D
Crowds @ Closing party at Don Blanco Antonio Museum
|
Hidup Mizone :)
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