Mar 7th Hello Bali

This has been a tough one. Although we had an unbelievably interesting cycling excursion, with a most knowledgeable guide "Goodday Tomat", our over-all Bali experience was mega-gaps away, experientially, from our fellow passengers (indeed, most of the rest of the world) who view Bali from the vista of a 1 hour air-conditioned bus ride to a beach resort. The truth is that much of the "middle class" population is mollified by  ponderous adapted religious rituals that perscribe strict offerings that send their ancestors to the "other world" over a period of some 6-10 years after their deaths. On the one hand, it's admirable to witness how much effort goes into these preparations, in their hand work, their costumes, their stone and wooden carvings, their dance and music...and how these endeavors keep the family units(through male lineage) together in common themed compounds. On the other hand, it's not far from consciousness that many of these people are indeed, poor and struggling, living in deplorably depressing caste-driven situations with meager thought of being remedied in this life through education.I'm glad their beliefs and suspertitions bring them enough peace of mind that some genuinely can "smile from the heart". Again, I feel that revolution would not be far off if fruits and rice didn't grow in abundance. Maybe we all live under the illusion that we actually have some control over our destinies!
   Goodday Tomat educated us as we stopped at community temples...the gods, the relationship with the five elements of nature, the underworld spirits and how these are all reconciled and appeased with daily offerings. He assured us that the 150 or so mangy dogs straying along the waysides were just barking a "greeting" to us. He brought us to a river where some were bathing and washing clothes just DOWNSTREAM from a farmer who was bringing his cows and calves for a dip. We were refreshed with a basket of unusual fruits...the Raja Banana (named because the tree is "King" for it's many uses and its fruit for good nutrition), the Snake Skin fruit, mini Tangerines, Passionfruit, and a variety of our pomegranite that had a crazy arrangement of slimy delicious seeds all in disarray inside. Low blood sugar cured!!
Since these beautiful people depend so closely on tourism, I do not want to dissuade you from planning a trip...just know that it's not all "Eat, Pray and Love!"







Woman making offering baskets to be filled with flowers and food



Typical Balanese Community Temple