About Angel Galvan-Raich, My Love for Beyond Soulful Boundaries & Adventures
This is where I uncover everything that matters behind the work of Beyond Soulful Boundaries & Adventures. It's not just a memoir; it's a shared experience—to make everything I do more relatable and accessible. It’s a personal narrative that outlines the key moments, wins, and experiences in my life that have led me to this work. In writing this, I aim to let you in—to divulge not just my story but the essence of what drives me to do this work. You’ll learn about my life’s journey—
One of my favorite landmark moments was traveling around Bali by myself. I explored many kinds of temples, fantastic art, and the most beautiful statues. I felt such a spiritual connection in the Hindu temples. My friend Dee took me shopping for authentic Balinese women’s beautiful skirts and blouses. I loved getting temple wear, including shoes and a broach, waist scarves, and earrings. I wanted to attend the Full Moon Temple Ceremony. With much respect, I patiently wait outside the temple watching all the Balinese enter. When most of the temple was full, I asked if I could enter, raising my hand in prayer. The people inside the temple accepted me as the only white human. I felt honored and welcome. I was invited to receive the blessings offered to those who wanted them. A kind gentleman taught me how to do the Balinese Hindu blessing and offering, without saying a word. The blessing felt so needed to my spirit and soul, I felt the letting go of my defenses, open to the kindness and blessings. I was offered to drink and splash myself with the blessed water, poured into the palm of my hands, on my head, and rice on my third eye and throat chakra.
The daily profound blessings and offerings taught me so much more about myself, including my spirit and soul’s need for healing, my strengths radiating throughout all layers of my aura, the love I have for myself, healing and opening my chakras, deeper body cleansing from the ocean, and my deep connections to strangers in a faraway land. My favorite moments were when we went from strangers to sisters and brothers, family across the seas.
One of my favorite Temples, Tirta Empul Temple, Bali, Indonesia, had a deep, profound effect on my healing from the loss of my husband, who I lost in June 2019, and a resounding personal triumph. I regained my openness, passion for healing my life, and the best adventures of my life. I love Bali so much! I came to Bali to learn to be a Yoga Instructor in my senior life. I loved taking the Yoga Instructor Course in Sunar, Bali, Indonesia. I felt so happy and balanced in Bali. I loved the weather, and what I miss most is the morning offerings and incense burning in the streets.
I became close to the people I interacted with daily. Each day for four months, the first 3 weeks, I saw the same kids selling items on the beach. This one little boy I kept seeing daily never had a smile on his face. He tried hard to sell his bracelets and necklaces from person to person, hearing, “No” over and over again… It broke my heart! I watched this one boy for days. I asked my waiter at the beach restaurant to help me talk to the boy. I learned a lot about the boy and the Bali traditions. I became friendly with my waiter on the beach. Great guy and always helpful!
Some of my favorite people were all the young children selling bracelets and necklaces on the beach every day! They were so young, not getting any education, but they were good at selling and managing the money they collected from selling. I adopted five kids on the beach who were selling items. I bought two (a boy and a girl), and purchased them some clothing, hats, PJs, and regular daily food. I invited them to join me for dinner or lunch.
My favorite people live in Bali! They became my Balinese family!! They are super special to me, and I hope to revisit them someday! We all stayed connected and talked regularly for over a year after I left Bali. We had so much fun together! There were times I needed assistance in Bali, for instance, I had a visa issue! My visa would not last my entire trip. I had to get an immigration officer who worked in immigration and had his own business to help me fix my visa. He helped me find the closest country, on a budget, to do my border run, making it the fastest turnaround for less. I could not have done this without the help of my dear friend Dee and her immigration friend.
The everyday experiences (good, bad, and ugly) that weave the fabric of my life.
The following year, after getting back from Bali, things shifted fast in directions I never expected—healing and growth hurt more than they should, which is why they call it growing pains. I rise to any challenge put in front of me…
My next huge adventure is attending college at almost 60 years old. My goal is to earn an AA in Human Resources and an AA in Administrative Justice at Santa Rosa Junior College and then pursue a BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Sonoma State University, a four-year college journey. I am excited to add to my experience in Legal Analysis, Business Administration, and Management.
I love a good adventure, from the US Supreme Court to paddleboarding on the San Francisco North Bay water to the Ocean in Maui, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Bali. Yoga and meditation on the beach are magical, opening, and healing. You are never too old to learn something new! You are never too old to get a college degree!
