Galungan Celebration-Ubud

We were greeted like long, lost family by our sweet group of Indonesian caretakers at Puri Asri (even offered another welcome “home again” watermelon drink). With Jubie requiring rest (and restrooms) frequently, we took time to witness and participate in the Balinese celebration of Galungan days. The Galungan celebration is a ten day period wherein families must welcome and entertain, with prayers and offerings, their deceased ancestors. Preparations begin weeks before the actual day. We watched as “penjor” (long bamboo poles decorated and hung with offerings) were constructed and erected in front of every family compound and storefront. On Galungan day itself we joined the villagers at the Monkey Forest Temple for prayers and blessings. No businesses were open and the streets were quiet of tourists, but the local children were everywhere hanging out in large gangs laughing and teasing one another. We even tried to help Puri Asri with the penjor decoration, but we were never quite timely enough. During the afternoon rains (which happen every day despite that this is the beginning of Bali dry season) we took time to reflect on our adventures and pay tribute to our deceased ancestors.

Hello Bali

Our kindly Balinese driver, Made (named for his birth number #2 in a family of four siblings) waited the full three hours for us to emerge from Immigration, we were ever so happy to have this luxury yet again of someone to meet us from our hotel, this time with a sign that said Mary on it. Made told us a bit about Balinese culture as he drove the 90 minute trip to Ubud. Regarding population, Made told us the Indonesian culture is trying to embrace fewer births (stopping at two), but couples continue to keep trying for “the boy”. Now before this sounds too gender biased, remember that in most southeast tribal cultures the male carries on the name and the children belong to the male family clan. Jubie had never been to Bali, but fifteen years ago Mary had spent a month in Ubud and she was struck by the changes she saw in Denpensar city. There were McDonalds, KFC, surf shops and many new malls. Mary wondered if Ubud would also seem so different to her. Upon their arrival in Ubud, Mary was happy to see that town looked very much like she remembered, apart from the fact that now internet cafes were scattered throughout the town. She remembers the single international phone that people would have to line up to call home.

We were escorted by the proprietor’s shepherd dog (her choice, not ours) up the long winding path toward the upper ridge of the gorge. We met, and cautiously crossed paths with several chained up watch dogs along our route, forcing us to find large weapon like sticks in the event of attack. Mary was happy to employ some of the simple “establish a power role with a strange dog” tricks that she had learned from the Dog whisperer (not terribly effective with these dogs). Later we found out that these guard dogs were situated so as to keep the sheep and goats from wandering away from their owners region. Later that evening Mary and Juliet went into the town of Kissamos and had the chance to hear yet another version of Cretan music, this time a much more contemporary version of the traditional songs.

Music Improvisation Playshop in Nagoya!

After our taiko drumming experience, we took a short break and had tea and treats and then proceeded to set the room up for a music improvisation workshop, which I had offered to do for Yasuyo’s community. We had a delightful intergenerational mix of folks and spent the next two hours engaged in some fantastic and fun music improvisation with a host of instruments and plenty of vocal experiences. I cannot think of a better way to spend a day in Japan-music music and more music. Heaven on earth in my book!

Taiko Drums- We gave it a try

After a few of their original pieces, they set the drums up and gave us a taiko lesson on a few of the drums. I had the best time playing these drums and can still feel it in my arms today, a wonderful physical workout indeed!

GONNA Again-fantastic!

The movement of the players in this band completely fascinates me.

Taiko Drums: What could be more FUN!

I have long loved the movement, power and sound of the Japanese Taiko drums and I had mentioned this to my wonderful host Yasuyo and she gave me the gift of a lifetime- the chance to not only hear a group perform but to play these incredible drums myself. We arrived at the music studio where the group “Gonna” practices and this dynamic group of musicians set up the large Taiko drums and a marimba and began to play. The sheer volume of power of the Taiko drums feel like a literal “wall of sound and vibration” sending the rhythms pulsing through every cell of your body. It is an amazing feeling to be in a rather small room with these drums. POWERFUL!!

Here is a clip of the band, they were absolutely incredible!