I started traveling on Tuesday, and arrived here on Thursday, (after crossing the international date line…. travel including layovers was 32 hrs total) so it has been rather disorienting and I have had no idea what day it is….until Paul asked "when are you going to write the newsletter?"
Friday we visited one of Princess Mirah's batik factories, and it was fascinating to watch how these colorful fabrics are hand-dyed on the ground in the sun, stamped with wax, and then boiled to remove the wax.
Everyone in the group said they came away with a new appreciation for the value of these hand-dyed imported Batiks. There are so many steps, and it is a painstaking process. Ribbons of newly-dyed cotton hang parallel to dry, and 2 of the workers' young children play among the colors.
Saturday morning (before it got too hot and humid) we attended a traditional Balinese Barung play, complete with a 20-pc. Gamelon orchestra. The costumes were ornate, with lots of layers and embellishment. I've posted photos on my photo page and my Facebook page if you'd like to have a look.
We also visited an ikat weaving site, a woodcarver coop, and then learned how to draw a batik design with wax and a tjanting drawing tool. We topped it off with an Indonesian restaurant that had a Philippino band playing tunes from the 70's and 80's, and a trip to a bookstore that specialized in Balinese photo books.
As you may remember, I saw Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat Pray Love) recently in Boulder. She spoke about the process of writing the book, and it gave me a great insight into her experiences in Bali. I can certainly understand why Bali is the "Love" part of the book – the people here are so gentle and sweet – at first you wonder "is this for real?" – and yes it is genuine caring and joy that is exuded by the people of Bali.
I'll post more photos by Tuesday night, so watch for my Creative Nudge, and I'll have some more special images for you then. Bali is incredibly inspiring, because everything is decorated. Art and embellishment is everywhere. Besides all the arts here, including textiles paintings jewelry carvings glass sculpture and kites, the architecture is a constant source of wonder. Apparently when the Dutch and British were fighting over various parts of Indonesia, they agreed not to touch Bali, because it is so special – like a living museum.
Indeed it is a magical place, and I have only seen the tip of the iceberg here, or should I say the tip of the bamboo shoot.
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