Bali Indonesia

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I know, I know......I have been lax in keeping the blog up to date.......access to wi fi that works and electricity that is constant is not a luxury here in Bali.

I settled in at the Artini 2 Cottages here in Ubud on Feb 28th on the advice of a friend of Joanna's. It is a pretty good home away from home and I have come to know all the staff here very well. It is on Jalan Hanomen and pretty central to the Yoga Barn and some excellent restaurants. They call me "Mrs Barbara" and they think I'm pretty funny. They love having conversations each day to improve their english and look forward to me coming down for coffee at 7am, before everyone else arrives. One of the staff members, Made, asked me if I would like to join his family for the "Celebration of the Full Moon", and I graciously accepted. We rode on his motorcycle about 40 minutes out of town.......the ride, well, it's typical Bali......no rules! beep beep and get the hell out of the way...cars and truck coming at you head on, everyone seems to avoid the collisions but I have seen some doozies! Dangerous shit........

We arrived at his family home, which he shares with his wife and two children. His mother lives in one house, his brother and wife and family in another, and then his family in the third. All family homes or compounds have a central kitchen and a platform for prayer. Everyone was happy to share whatever they had with me.......Made's wife, also named Made allowed me to dress in her sarong and typical Balinese blouse and sash for the ceremony......one must wear a girdle, it's just part of the outfit......we had a few giggles with this!

We walked through the woods, the ladies breezing through with the offerings each family must bring, and arrived at the temple about a mile or so away. I certainly got a bit of attention being an obvious visitor, but everyone was extremely gracious to say the least. They love having their pictures taken and I felt honored to be the official photographer for the temple ceremony. The sense of community that the Balinese have is sure something we can aspire to!

The priest came over to me and Made asked him to bless me and he probably gave me the biggest dousing of holy water of anyone there.....he had a giggle or two........then you must cup your hands and drink, so I did. Fabulous experience to be sure.

Made's daughter, Eka, is learning english in school in Denpasar. She rides her scooter an hour each way to attend school each day. She was desperate to practice her english, so we walked ever so slowly back to their house. The ladies brought out Bali Kopi (which is pulverized coffee that you pour hot water over) you let the grounds go to the bottom and drink from the top.....quite good actually.......and cake and fruit...I couldn't possibly eat all of it so they packed all the fruit up for me to take.......one would never decline such a gift. Eka gave me a ride back to Ubud on her scooter. Just 17 years old and a wealth of experience.......I had one of the best days here with Made and his family......he has just asked me today if I want to go to another ceremony prior to Neypi (which is their day of silence).........I'll probably go and keep you posted!

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Comments

[Anne Marie Kelly]

What a wonderful experience!! I can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in Balinese culture...lucky you!! I'm glad that you're having a great time and making the most of these wonderful and loving people. Looking forward to hearing some more...Love you and miss you!