So yesterday was kallolong (wow I know that's not the right name but my Balinese is just not up to par at the moment). Exactly what this holiday is celebrating, I am still not sure, but a large portion of my day was attempting to find that out... I failed. Here is what I do know: it is some sort of Hindu celebration in which everyone dresses in traditional clothing, the town shuts down almost entirely for the majority of the day, and there are about four times the amount of offerings and homemade decorations on everything (cars and water pipes and alters alike). There are more flowers, colorful fabric, sarongs and incense. That's all I got. Jen and I attempted to be part of one of the family's ceremonies but were just led into their beautiful alter/garden (for lack of a better word) after tying our sarongs on properly, and that was it. Many things get lost in translation here... I think this was one of them.
Before our attempt at celebrating kallolong, Jen and I went on this amazing walk she had found out about. It started down by the river on the edge of town and went up into the hills and rice paddies and took us through a few little villages, eventually looping us back into ubud. It was just so nice to be somewhere so quiet and far away from the town. We grabbed some lunch at Arie's and then headed our seperate ways.
The rest of the day was spent rather lazily (is that even a word?). Came back home for a bit to cool down and dry off and was somewhat locked out for a bit as a huge red wasp looking thing was just hanging out on my lock. Just laid down on the cool tile for awhile reading until my little old grandma I love so much came over. She gave me a handful of flowers, put one in my hair and then (I think) told me to put the others in my room. She then just sat down with me and talked to me for about 30 minutes... God, I love this woman. She would talk and talk and then grab my hand and just laugh the most glorious laugh. I haven't the slightest clue of what was said, but I'm pretty sure she was making jokes about her saggy boobs for a couple minutes. She didn't have a top on (topless is actually the way it used to be until the Dutch came into Bali) and was pointing to her boobs and laughing and when a heavier set girl walked by she puffed out her face and made the international hand signal for 'big knockers' and lauged so hard I thought she would fall over. I love this woman- her wrinkles and saggy boobs and one tooth- she is absolutely beautiful. I only hope that we can all be just as happy and talking about boobs when we are that old and gray.
Went to Kafe when it opened back up to use some wifi and luckily got to see my Aussie girl and her 14 stitches before she headed back last night. Met her friend, an ex- lawyer from Switzerland (have to maybe retract my last comment about lawyers), who is also traveling by herself. All good people here. Dinner later and dessert at a little warung after that which was not nutritious but very delicious. And then bed.
Woke up in the middle of the night to some rain and even some thunder... Went and sat on the porch for a bit to watch it all come down. Lost power a few times, and ended up falling asleep before it turned back on for good. This morning is beautiful though, power is on and hopefully it will be a little less humid since the rain.
Gonna go figure out what to do with myself now...
Oh and also, Andy emailed me about an earthquake that happened in Bali yesterday. None of us knew about it or felt it but assuming it was more towards Kuta area. Everyone here is fine and only 7 were injured with broken bones and other rather superficial injuries. No damage to buildings from what I heard. Grateful it wasn't any worse and always praying that this little island doesn't have to see a gigantic earthquake anytime soon.
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