Basin Life

MOSES LAKE — Midway through her psychology studies at Central Washington University, Amy Dalluge had an epiphany that would drastically change the course of her life.

"Here I was 22 years old about to complete my education, going to attempt to make a difference in a world that I realized I lacked an understanding for," said Dalluge of the self-reflective moment that would lead her on a trip around the world.

"I was really educated in school, but I hadn't experienced life," said the Moses Lake native. "I decided I was going to try to understand that piece of me I was lacking."

Dalluge had traveled throughout the western United States, but now she was looking to broaden her horizons.

So, with family and friends to see her off, Dalluge boarded a plane to London and began a year-long adventure that would open her eyes to the beauty of the world.

While she enjoyed her time in Europe, she didn't find the diversity of culture she was seeking.

"It was too much like America," said Dalluge of her experiences in Europe.

From there, she ventured to Egypt, where she began to find the enlightenment she had been seeking.

Dalluge found Egypt to be vastly different from any place she had ever visited. From the male-dominated Arabic culture to the way people interacted and drove the streets, Egypt opened her eyes to how much cultures can vary around the world.

"Egypt was probably the biggest culture shock of my life," recalled Dalluge. "It was my first time seeing people living in a very, very harsh environment."

After Egypt, Dalluge's travels took her to Athens, Greece, where she lived for several months near a park notorious for its population of heavy drug users. It was there she learned another of the lessons that could not be gained in a classroom.

"It was a good two months of watching human beings in the most self-destructive way," said Dalluge. "It began to show me how through negative choices comes negativity."

The next stop on her voyage would be India. However, a brief layover in Saudi Arabia during her flight to India became another profound moment in her journey of self-discovery.

"I was the only American on the plane in Saudi Arabia the day before we declared war on Afghanistan," Dalluge said. "In a time where every American feared the Muslim world, I was straight in the middle of the Muslim land."

While on the plane, she sat next to a Muslim woman who was also in a moment of anxiety and fear. The two comforted each other during the flight, and it was an enlightening experience for Dalluge.

"It took that preconceived notion of fear and took it away forever," remarked Dalluge. "I lost every ounce of fear I had that night."

She then arrived in Bombay, India to what was once again a new world.

"It was the most eye-opening experience I've ever had," said Dalluge. "It has so much reality because you see a lot of poverty and sickness."

After an extended stay in India that included travels throughout the country and a period of deep meditation and spiritual discovery, Dalluge became committed to making a positive change in the lives of those she had met.

"I knew when I left India I would come back," noted Dalluge. "It made me want to strive to make a difference."

Dalluge moved on to Bangkok, Thailand for a brief time before returning to the United States. Back at home, she completed her degree studies in psychology and religious studies, then headed back to Southeast Asia.

While there, she discovered the plight of the Akkah Tribe. Unwel-come in and extradited from Laos, Burma and Thailand, the tribe has recently been forced to turn to what Dalluge described as "dirty" forms of commerce to sustain themselves.

"I decided I would start buying handicrafts from them," explained Dalluge. "It would get them to turn toward positive work."

With this decision, Dalluge began her business, which consists of finding, creating and importing unique handmade jewelry and other select items. While she deals in a variety of items, Dalluge specializes in semi-precious stone products.

"Stone fascinates me because it is of the earth," said Dalluge.

Currently, Dalluge spends approximately nine months per year overseas, primarily in Southeast Asia and India. She returns to the Moses Lake area each summer to visit family and friends and sell her goods at local festivals and markets.

"I love my summers here," said Dalluge of Moses Lake. "Just being surrounded by good people, family and friends; its home."

All of the goods Dalluge deals in are manufactured from scratch out of materials from around the world. While many of her stones are found halfway around the world, some of the minerals used in her jewelry come from as close as Grant County.

In addition to getting quality, one-of-a-kind items, Dalluge's customers can take with them the satisfaction of knowing they are buying a socially conscious product.

"I am focused toward buying handicrafts from the poverty stricken people," said Dalluge. "Eventually, I'd like to find a tribe I can work with and give proceeds to."