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What I’ve Learned From A Balinese Hindu Ritual Of Silent Day
Travelling to Bali When The Entire Island Was In Lockdown, And It Wasn’t Because Of COVID-19
On Monday, 23rd March 2020 following the Prime Minister to close doors to cafe and restaurants and public library, in a matter of minutes, twenty-two of us lost the job as an event, venue, and cafe staff at The Bryan Brown Theatre and Knowledge Centre in Bankstown, South-West Sydney suburb. With 21 other casual staff, the following day, I would wake up unemployed. Now the only option I’ve got is to seek help from the government to claim what so-called ‘the job keeper’ allowance. It is degrading at a mature, independent age like myself to go through on the ‘dole payment’ again.
I was the last person who worked on my evening shift on Tuesday, 24th March 2020. It was quite eerie to see the building was looming in the dark. Usually, the LED lights were so bright in the library. From a distance, I could see glossy interiors of modern bookshelves and desk behind the immense glass wall. But tonight all the lights were off.
Here Downunder, winter is approaching. Though this year, autumn gives us mild sunshine and some days of rain, the harsh summer was still in our vivid memories. I was walking down a few blocks away from the station to my…