I live in Perth, Western Australia, and Bali is a very popular desitnation for Australians, particularly West Australians, as on the west coast we are only a three hour flight from Bali, a beautiful tropical island.
To get to Bali costs about the same as going inter state in Australia and everything is so cheap in Bali. Getting tailored made clothes, jewelery, accommodation - it really is a tourist mecca.
I have not been there for a number of years, but the social worker in me came out last time I was there and I participated in a cultural walk, which takes you off the tourist track.
While I was in Bali what did strike me was the way a lot of tourists seemed to have a cultural bubble around them. It was as if the loacals did not exist other than to serve. The local culture did not seem to exist other than to be 'cute'.
Underneath the tourist trap lies another layer of Bali that is third world.
When you watch the video on Bali notice how mental illness is largely not recognised by the locals. Mental illness does not exist as they have not been educated in it. Therefore friends and relatives with mental illness are to be largely ridiculed, humoured and in some cases chained up to keep them out of the way.
It is a video that touched me heart.
If you have a story, please let me know by emailing support@afbmh.org
The link for the videos is http://www.afbmh.org/public/articles/TheWorld.htm
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