Hidden Screams of Kuta — World’s Famous Paradise, Destructed By Pandemic
Not long ago, I talked with my father through an online video call, as he bluntly told me how was his day going. Not much he responded, but something doesn’t sit well, even though our internet connection wasn’t at its finest, I can recognize his sorrowful face.
With a flat tone, he explained to me about the current condition of Kuta. His village of birth, my childhood playground, and the same place where we grew up to be decent human beings.
Kuta is known as a “Bali’s Paradise” by mostly foreigners. The world’s popular holiday destination where you can enjoy your nightlife relentlessly and spend the next day sunbathing at Kuta Beach. At least, that was the ideal construct of Kuta perceived by people before the pandemic kicks in.
Now, everything seems to get scrambled over. Kuta’s residents are slowly suffocated by the situation, seeing the fact that their economy is heavily dependent on tourism. It is just like getting struck by lightning in the broad daylight, not a single person has ever prepared for this sudden storm to come let alone have another plan B to work this out.
One year of a pandemic in 2020 feels like a decade for most of Kuta’s residents. It seems like an interdependence cycle to see how the pandemic impacts businesses owned by locals and their struggles to make the end meets.
During those hard times, it was such a magical yet miserable feeling seeing dark and empty Poppies Lanes. Many small bars, restaurants, gift shops, and traditional bungalows owned and operated by residents are close. No hustle and bustle situations happen, no loud music by nightclubs and bars are heard, no foreigners walk here and there, just a casual hot sun showering the hidden screams of Kuta.
“Some of my friends are struggling to pay their monthly electricity. They had been closed their bungalows for more than years, they are suffering, we are practically suffering.” My father said without hesitation.
That is true though. I happened to ride a motorcycle accompanied by my sister throughout Poppies Lane at 8 PM, It was one of the scariest rides I have ever experienced. The light was kind of dim, no human being at sight, very minimal space at the lane, and the only things we heard were our motorcycle’s machine competing with the sound of crickets. It was a sad reality.
“At least, the brighter side is, we know now that we can’t fully rely on tourism.” I answered, nervously. Since this is a very sensitive topic for everyone and we have no one to blame.
Many hotels were also competing to half their price just to attract the tourists. As for the record, I had the opportunity as a Human Resources intern at the best five stars hotel in Bali during those hard times. Not to sound bragging with that “best five stars hotel”, but through that, I was able to see the situation from another perspective outside of a normal resident.
I witnessed almost 60 percent of employees are being cut off that day. The hotel can’t afford them to stay. I assisted many elder employees with their grey hair and wrinkles to being laid off, almost half of the total employee with average ages of 20–30 years old were confused and forced to be okay with the situation.
Although you can’t hear, deep down they are screaming, the village is screaming. As cliche as it sounds, you can feel the hidden screams of Kuta — the world’s famous paradise are being destructed by pandemics.
However, with almost two years of suffering under the fear of pandemic. Kuta’s residents now can see a little sun between the dark storm. They have a bigger hope while working on to re-rise from the grieve.
“We re-opened the Kuta Beach this morning! Although we have to close more than ten entrance gates and only open the main gate, we are happy to see many people able to enjoy the beach again.” My father cheered.
