And so we continue to love this country. The people are so friendly and the culture incredibly colourful! In Legian, where we have based ourselves, we have met a few guys on the beach who just can't do enough for you. Eager and always ready to help. Our friend Primo has found us a Bungalow to stay in for a month at the grand total of 4 pounds a night.
It's nothing impressive, but it is cleaned everyday, has airconditioning and hot water.....we had the option of staying in a room for 25p/night, but no luxeries. We decided we could stretch to the 4 pound!! Our little scooter is costing us a huge 1pound 50/day. All in all, we are very happy with the deal! Planning a few road trips on the scooter. I think we should name it.....any suggestions?!?!?
Today we went to Ubud again, this time to see a cremation Ceremony. The deceased was the 1st in line to the throne; as you can imagine it was a "big thing!". The whole town was transformed with colour. This was definitely not a time to mourn, but a time to celebrate a life. Every pice of the parade was made painstakingly by hand. Everyone had been working on it for weeks. 2 towers were erected, again handmade, the largest was 17m tall. Every piece made for the cremation was set on bamboo and carried by ment from local and surronding towns. Nearly 200 men were required to carry the largest tower.
Today we went to Ubud again, this time to see a cremation Ceremony. The deceased was the 1st in line to the throne; as you can imagine it was a "big thing!". The whole town was transformed with colour. This was definitely not a time to mourn, but a time to celebrate a life. Every pice of the parade was made painstakingly by hand. Everyone had been working on it for weeks. 2 towers were erected, again handmade, the largest was 17m tall. Every piece made for the cremation was set on bamboo and carried by ment from local and surronding towns. Nearly 200 men were required to carry the largest tower.
The community spirit was inspiring, everyone piteched in. Young and old. Respectfully many of the westerners dressed in traditional Balinese dress, including Jiro and I. However, the European papparazzi bug was out in it's full glory. At times you would see a white face in the middle of the procession, or clambering up a lampost! Thanks to my ridiculously small feet I got myself a spot on a tiny, tiny wall and got some great snaps (Papparazzi alert!!). Today we learnt a great lesson in life. Funerals and cremations should not be black somber affairs where we dwell on times we "could, should and would have had" if the person were still here. But instead to celebrate in colour and with joy the life and times that we did share, the laughs we had, the memories we gained. I have found a deep respect for the Balinese and their culture and hope I can recreate even a little of it in my life.
Tomorrow is another day of surf. Yipee.....although I am currently sporting a bruised eye (right one for those who like details!) due to a stray board bashing me in the face. Ouch, again!!
No messages from anyone yet......:o( write soon!
Miss you all!
Tomorrow is another day of surf. Yipee.....although I am currently sporting a bruised eye (right one for those who like details!) due to a stray board bashing me in the face. Ouch, again!!
No messages from anyone yet......:o( write soon!
Miss you all!
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