 |
| ©2011 Studio Deeba |
"Inda. Inda," the young girl was touching my hair as her friends gathered around me. They were so happy and excited to be next to me. Holding my hands, stroking my arms and touching my hair, pointing at my eyes.
 |
| ©2011 Studio Deeba |
My Sunday began with a trip to the Museum Wayan (Doll/Puppet Museum) in Jakarta. My Driver picked me up at 10:00 a.m. and we started our journey trekking through the winding streets from one end of town to the other; quite the drive. After about an hour, we found the museum and parked. Ghofir (go-fear) opened my door and the minute my feet touched the ground, I was being watched.
 |
| ©2011 Studio Deeba |
The large plaza was packed with people trying to cool themselves in the hot sun (96 degrees). As we made our way around the vendors and their wagons, blankets and items, across the open space to the door of the museum, I was grateful for having a dress on and not the heavy weight of jeans.
Ghofir was clearing a path for me to walk (every inch of space is occupied) while I thought about what defines Inda. Looking at all the beautiful dolls and puppets made to represent Indonesia's ancient Javanese, I was moved beyond words. The delicate features that are fringed with long black lashes and beautiful black hair braided and twined around crowns and combs, batiked (hand-painted lost-wax and dye) clothing with the most intricate of designs. I was in awe. These puppets and dolls are made from wood, animal skin and bone. All hand carved centuries ago. What appeared to be a paper doll puppet, was actually hand-tooled leather...no lazer cuts here, just pure craftsmanship and attention to detail. Magical, to say the least.
 |
| ©2011 Studio Deeba |
 |
| © 2011 Studio Deeba |
 |
| ©2011 Studio Deeba |
Looking at these ancient dolls, I thought of how I have struggled with my physical beauty for the last decade; going from 40 to 50 in a heartbeat while seeing skin move and wrinkles appear where there were none before. I have wondered what defines beauty. Inside? Outside? I believe both. Is it attitude and if so, what type? Is it what the majority doesn't have? Or is it the best of the majority? And who defines that? Can mannerisms define a person's beauty? Sometimes. Confidence, definitely. Nothing sexier to me than a man who's comfortable in his own skin. :) yum.
I see the beauty of others in even the tiniest ways and yet with myself, well....it's been difficult. Don't get me wrong, I love me. I love everything about me. I just don't see me as I see others. We're probably all like this, right? Well, this last year I have been accepting my body's changes as it moves through the aging process. However, as a single woman in the dating world, it has been daunting as most men from 50 years of age to 60, can go after women half my age and do, successfully!
 |
| ©2011 Studio Deeba |
A night out on the town in San Diego, I am overlooked frequently. In Indonesia, I am constantly being told Indah! Indah!~
Ha! What an experience to have as I enter into my fifth decade of life. I shall never forget this experience as long as I live. What a wonderful gift! Okay Universe! I have spent the last year accepting my physical self as I change, Now I Will Celebrate Myself! I now believe! I am Inda!
As we made our way through the museum, I asked one group of girls who so desperately wanted to photograph me, if they would be so kind as to be in a photo for me. They were thrilled! What Fun! And don't you agree? We truly are, all Indah....even in 96 degrees of ugh! :)
 |
| ©2011 Studio Deeba |
No comments:
Post a Comment