 |
| Temple all gussied up. |
 |
| Looking up! |
 |
| Overwhelming beauty everywhere. |
 |
| One of the priests tending to the Barong. |
 |
| Priests blessing all. |
 |
| Priests on the dais. The one furthest back is the high priest (Pedanda) - brass bell and flower in his hands. |
 |
| Women processing with offerings - they will lead the Barong out of the temple. |
 |
| Barongs up in their special place! |
 |
| Barong Butt! Sorry no pics of the front (just a film which is way too long to upload on slow Bali internet flow). |
Beautiful morning at the temple praying again in the oh-so-hot sun. On our own this time (no homestay family to guide us) but there's always some willing elder woman (always) who will help the clueless 'tamus'! We got to see the Barong process out of the temple with gentle Gamelan playing and then walked for about a mile in a vast procession of giant puppetry magic and crazy gongs!
During this happening I realized a very important thing: I play games with myself every time I am in a situation where we are on our own (as tourists) amongst the Balinese - I long to document the moments, capturing all for memory sake and to share with others but then I don't want to be a voyeur (one of the same old silly tamus with camera held high in the air clicking away). As if documenting it makes it more 'real' or something. So interesting to witness this struggle within myself. It is almost as if it is a point of pride for me to simply live the experience without a camera in the way of being truly in the moment.
Oh Bekah....you truly are 'living in the moment' and aren't really one of the 'tamus'. I don't think you can ever be just 'one of those'....your sensibilities win every time. Love the moment and the memory will remain. Go home and draw pictures of what you saw...just as good and maybe more real because you will remember the beauty that most effected you. I absolutely love your blog. The writing and the pictures together give one a real glimpse of another world. Thank you. And Elsa....is really something to see and hear. much love...mom
ReplyDeleteBeks - I've been unable to post while in nicaragua so sorry for my absence from your beautiful and luscious blog; thank you thank you for sharing your family's magical and mystical experiences in gorgeous Bali! I am deeply moved by your recounting of them and while imagining the power of witnessing your darling daughter being swept up in it all; oh,,, how amazing and touched by grace it all is. Love love love to you all and can't wait to see more of your posts
ReplyDelete