Bali Java 2010

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Day 7 - Visit to Made’s compound and the Palace of Princess Atun
Today was our cultural feast. I don’t know where to begin, how to describe or end my thoughts on today. Made invited us to his family compound which has been in his family for 7 generations. The whole extended family lives in the compound and the center of the compound is the family temple. Made spent an hour or two explaining the temple and then showed us some of his art. Paul loved one of Made’s larger paintings symbolizing the need for cooperation to resolve global warming. Spirituality and symbolism are really at the heart of Bali art. Made said the painting represented about 3 months work. We then went to his village temple which is 2000 years old.
Late in the afternoon we went to Princess Atun’s palace. The visit was set up by our friend Arifin Mochtar in Jakarta. Arifin is on the Board of Friendship Force and Director of Indonesia’s seven local FF clubs. Princess Atun spent 2 hours with us and told wonderful stories. She is so gracious and personable. She even sang a Friendship Force song to the tune of “When the Saints come marching in”. She went to HS in Portland (AFS) and talked about her American Family with great love and humor. One story she told was that her American father (Mr. Costello) was a strong Republican and served as an Ambassador during Republican administrations. He had a goat on the family farm he called JFK after President Kennedy. She also told stories about her friend President Jimmy Carter. One of the more humorous things that happened while visiting the palace was that our guide Made was busy texting his 13 brothers and sisters that he was having tea with the Princess. He had never met the Princess. Then the Princess asked him some questions about his family. Made was shocked when he told her the name of his father and uncle and she went on about what great artists they were and how they were featured in the Art Museum her father built. What a day, filled with friendship, humor, and beautiful art and culture.
Paul also made the observation that Made was the 14th child but he was clearly the leader of the family. All his brothers accepted his leadership without question even though they were senior; he was the spokesman and leader.

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Photos

Day 7
Made's House 1

Day 6
Made's House 2

Day 6
Made's House 3

Day 6
Made's Kids

Day 6
Picking up the picture frame

Day 7
Ubud School Kids

Made Painting
Purchased by Paul Martin - 3 months of work.

Victor
Victor with his usual smile

Comments

[Pat]

Wonderful photos and descriptions
What a great sounding trip. The photos are wonderful and give a good feeling of the area. Can't wait to see them all. Take care