Well, we went to Bali again. 4th time for Val; 3rd time for me. It was great once again. The people are so gentle, crime almost non-existent (except for mostly Australian drug smugglers getting caught) and the food is good (and getting better and more varied). During this trip, our friend, Glenda, joined us for the first two weeks and then our friend, Sue, joined us for the last two weeks (of which one week the two friends overlapped and we were 4 people). Because the two friends were allowed to come only on condition they obeyed directions, everything worked out well. :)
I think what is so nice about Bali is the people.
Yes, we went cycling (Val was in the support van), snorkeling 4 times, walking in rice fields, etc. (in the heat), Val and Glenda took a couple of batik painting classes,
and I even went to an art museum. However, it is the people that keep our interest and how they live. The Balinese seem quite content with their lives. They are mostly Hindu and the temples (thousands of them) play a big role in their lives. From early morning (when the morning offerings are put out at the entrance to their family compounds) to late evenings (when dance performances are held in various places), the temple (and religion) is very important. In fact, when there is a holiday (and there are many of them during the 210 day calendar), the Balinese do not go away; they prepare for and participate in the events at the temple and in the family/community compounds. We were told (not substantiated, but believable) that 35% of a family's income is spent on temple-related expenditures. This would include the little offerings put out each day in the morning and during the day, as well as the tall intricate baskets of fruit brought to the temples for major (and minor) holidays. And they always make sure there is enough for those who cannot provide for themselves.
Tourism has a big impact on the Balinese; it is a huge economic factor. However, as important as this is in their lives, it doesn't seem to have made the Balinese crazy, obnoxious or subservient. The handicrafts that are in abundance and sold in the larger tourist centres are done in the local villages or family compounds. This means that the artisans do not have to move to the "city" to make a living; they can stay where they are and keep the family (and the family land) together. There is also a lot of copying done. That's fine as it is all quite different from Western handicrafts; much more labour intensive. And the handicrafts change with the times--5 years ago when I carved a wooden mask, that particular style of mask was sold everywhere. Now, it was not sold at all. There are new styles to do and sell and they are. The dance depicted in the video is classical Balinese dance. It is taught quite extensively on the island starting to children of a very young age. Most of the performances are done for tourists. And yet, the teaching, the dancing, the ticket selling, all those steps help the Balinese ; and the dance tradition is preserved as a result. Here is a sample of some of the great dancing we saw during our visit. This particular group was an all-women's troupe (including the orchestra). Most often, the orchestra and some of the dancers are men. The two women sitting in the background playing the drums are actually the conductors. Expanding to full screen is NOT a good idea; try to see the eye and hand movements.
The next video shows the women standing up and dancing.
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