In Reply to: Monument posted by Mr Jeff on Friday, 30. April 2004 at 16:14 Bali Time:
I know exactly what you mean,although I have trouble walking past it without getting tears in my eyes & an overwhelming feeling of grief,pain,loss & sadness.You feel in deep down inside you ! I think it's the lost souls reaching out.
My family & I along with a number of others on this forum where fortunate enough to be in Bali for the 1st year anniversary.Because we were up in Lovina for a few days we were unable to attend the service in the morning.WE went to the service on the beach which was incredibly moving.People of all nations & ages standing side by side together mourning but at the same time giving Thanks for life & the beauty of Bali & the fact that our world HAS to see peace if we are to survive.The way we felt & what we shared with others that night will be with us forever.I know my son will be telling my great -grandchildren that he was there & how it felt.
We went to the service at the memorial at night time & because of a very kind Aussie Journo with a pass & the fact that we had a child with us were allowed up close inside the barriers because he dragged us in behind him.The way I felt (& I realise others may disagree) was that with all the cameras,journo's in your face that it wasn't the same as the service on the beach - it didn't have the feeling of warmth & love for your fellow man or the compassion & empathy for the shocking thing that had happened & for the pain & agony that it caused to so many people.
Maybe it was because so much pain & suffering had happened right on this very spot.I still think that the feelings or something of what happened CAN be left behind & can actually be physically felt by some people.
I'm Sorry if I went on a bit.It's just that such vivid memories & feelings came back at the mention of this.