As an Indian, The $30 Bali Swing Photoshoot Felt Too Expensive
How “living the moment” can sometimes take its toll
$30 might not buy you much in the US. But for $30 in India, I can get:
- A good dinner at a fancy restaurant.
- A room in a nice resort in the city outskirts.
- 2 weeks’ worth groceries.
- 4 hours’ worth of pole dance classes.
I could go on, but you get the gist. In Asian countries, $30 is valuable. That’s why when I was faced with the possibility of getting pretty swing photographs for $30 in Bali, I almost said no.
In my head, my logic was clear: I’d get a few good pictures, and I mostly never share personal photos on socials. So what’s the point spending so much money for this? I’d rather eat more and better for this money some other time.
I shared this thought process with my partner, and he told me, “No!”
Usually, I’m the one without any expense control in our relationship. His reply confused me. When I asked him to elaborate more, he told me I’d be in Bali only once. The swing photographs might not end up on my socials, but they’ll be imprinted in my brain for good.
