Bali ESP Experience

      Just last week the entire middle school took trips all to different places of Indonesia for an extended study program. Seventh grade took a trip to Bali, an island to the east of Java. The first day, we had to be in our buses, headed toward the airport, at three am in the morning. The one rule I have is if the sun's not up, then I shouldn't be up either. I was still really excited about spending time with my friends in Bali. On day one after we got to Bali, we were given our keys, then sent to our rooms to unpack. The rest of my day was spent at the beach or the pool. Bali beaches are always really nice.
      The rest of the week, my group went to Gunung Kawi, painted stones, swung around on trees at Treetop adventures, built rafts then raced, painted batik cloths, went white water rafting, and lastly almost learned Balinese dance.
      I think I've learned so much more than I would have if I had gone with my family or just friends. The tour guides had so much information to share, and were great to interview or translate. I learned about Balinese temples, art, religion, music, and dance.
      I think this experience has helped me more on my project than it would have if I had just used the internet for evidence or notes. When Balinese were asked the question, "Where do you think your economy would be without tourism?", our tour guide said they would all be dead. I think that's a little harsh, but in some way he's right. Bali needs tourism, and this would be one negative impact. I think Bali depends a lot upon tourism and that's probably the way it will always be. I hope in my study of Bali's tourism, I can find more positive impacts than negative ones.
     For the next seventh graders going to Bali, I probably wouldn't change anything. Some people said they didn't like the food (mostly at the hotel), but I loved all of it. If I could go back to Bali, with the same group, with the same roommates, I definitely would. That was an amazing trip.