Of the many exotic sights on the exotic island of Bali, one seldom mentioned is the garbage dump in the public square. I don't know why, because this is certainly not something seen in most countries around the world--as rare as Everest or the mighty Mississippi. Who can fail to be impressed by the towering mountain of breathtakingly odiferous garbage outside the main entrance of the new mall in Denpasar? Why, it is the very definition of exotic, and yet not featured in any of the travel brochures or coffee table picture books. One feels awestruck, stunned when he stands at the lip of the Grand Canyon or in the courtyard of the Taj Mahal, barely able to comprehend the grandeur before his eyes. It is the same with this majestically rancid peak. It is as strange as a stalagtite, as unnatural as Mt. Rushmore, as mysterious as a sunken cathedral. Who has placed this visual and olfactory malignancy at the entry to a multimillion dollar mall, and why? And how is it that people can pass on the street, on foot, on bikes, in cars, and seem not to notice the thing at all? It is, in its own way, more wonderful than the mountain itself.
2 comments:
Strange indeed. It was not like this in the 90's when I visited Bali several times.
Mb--The rapid expansion of the middle-class in Bali, as well as a revived and booming tourist industry, has given rise to development that has outstripped infrastructure (which was lagging behind under even the best of circumstances). This particular garbage handling plant long preceded the mall at this site. Apparently it either did not occur to them to move the plant to another location, or another location was simply not available. These dumps have always been here, tucked away where they would be offensive only to residents. It's just that they have been overtaken and uncovered now by expanding businesses. A bit of good news, on the other hand, is that Bali has now outlawed plastic bags, which were beginning to clog up the ocean and litter the beaches. Now, one must bring his own cloth bag when he shops.
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