MORE PREP for the mukur

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152814624527816.1073742011.553997815&type=1&

l=9b5c8300af

Dewata Agung's final rites.

When someone in Bali dies, they are usually cremated.  But there is another ritual that is done later on (usually within a few years) that essentially makes effigies of

the person’s soul and transforms them into an ancestral deity.  The offerings are

staggering, the time and money involved unbelievable and the satisfaction that

our loved ones are now (hopefully) in heaven and “clean” incomparable.

We prepared for nearly a month for the big day

on April 22^nd.  There are 14 other souls “riding on his coattails”, 8 people getting

their teeth filed and 36 more children doing their first ritual haircut and three

month ceremonies (most of them are already in school, having delayed these

ceremonies mainly due to financial reasons).  We will be feeding over 1,000 people,

having some of Bali’s best artists performing and Rangki has been transformed.

These photos will show you just some of the rituals involved.

We could not do with this without the support of Gung’s extended family and

his community.   Feeling blessed (and exhausted).  

SEE: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152794116482816.1073742010.553997815&type=1&l=da16994db3

yesterday, when i arrived at Rangki to teach my dance class, i was overwhelmed by a cake and my students singing happy birthday to me. sister in law jero Man had organised flowers--all from Rangki--i was so touched. and then two of the students gave me gifts: one a hair clip with "diamonds" on it (very useful as I wear them all the time) and the other two bars of the cheapest soap on the market. now that put me over the edge...it doesn't matter that they are not the best dancers in the world, they are my students and we learn and laugh together (oh and eat cake). spent the day with my inlaws and then in the evening, before Arie and I set off to the banjar to pray (odalan) he brings out a cake for me. i am blessed.

OK, so Janita tells me "Ibu update your blog" and i realize it's been over three years and that it coincided pretty much with Gung's illness, which is why i lost interest, i suppose.

At any rate, it's a brand new wonderful year and I'm feeling great.  Lots of projects and creativity happening and a myriad of possibility.

And right now, I have to get ready for our Gedebong brainstorming session for our (hopefully we'll get chosen, will know tomorrow) Lomba Lawak (comedy contest) sponsored by Joger and Bank Mandiri.

So adieu for a moment....dan selamat Tahun Baru!

meeting up with Gung Ayu

Met up with fav niece Gung Ayu in Singapore; it was great to have a rave just her, Gung and meself without loads of family around. then she and i met up with her husband, daughter and loads of inlaws at a food court and munched our way thru some Pad Thai. What i love about Singapore is the mulitraciality. and of course, being able to understand a lot of the "foreign" language helps (Bahasa). i forget i'm not in Indonesia, until i see how clean it is and that everything tends to work! sure wish we could emulate some of what Singapore offers....it's too sterile for my everyday tastes (where are the chickens and the tokays???) but it certainly is efficient.

Singapore

the land of no litter...

landed on sunday afternoon to haze (thank you Indonesia).

graciously hosted by the Stephen Bruce family.

amazed by all the greenery that the city has managed to keep intact.

stephen, who's lived here for only a few years has amassed a wealth of

knowledge about non touristy aspects of Singapore.

the city has put up these overpasses where, when you pass under them,

it automatically deducts "going under" fees from fifty cents to a few dollars

depending on the time of day. sundays are free so the time to race around the city

to your heart's delight would be on a sunday. this debit cards are used everywhere: gas stations, supermarkets, etc. a real cashless society. a bit frightening even though it is very convenient.

kids at international schools are drug tested twice a year. if you are positive the first time, the school principal is told. if a second time the government and you have to get off the island. that's a disincentive. but if you're pissed at your parents, that's one way to ruin their lives.

"I shall piss in a cup and get you fired!"

i hadn't realized so much of the island was built on reclaimed land. after a building has been up for 20 years, it's torn down and rebuilt.