we are still here...

Sorry for the delay in post. We are ok and the volcano and tsunami were not on this island.   We have been busy with fun life affirming adventures.  Finn celebrated his 9^th birthday on the 26^th.  He planned a lovely day for himself and our Australian friend Jesse returned from her travels just in time to be there too!  We had Finn’s favorite breakfast- black rice porridge, then open presents, play legos, lunch then party.  We had planned to go swimming but it rained all afternoon.  The festivities were so lively no one noticed that we didn’t go swim.  Delicious still warm chocolate mud cake (still warm) drew quite a crowd.  Finn really likes having so many adults and kids around to interact with all in his own home.  Its like a social homeschool situation?  He has gotten very close to 2 of the other volunteers and he spends lots of time talking and snuggling with them.  

Jesse home for the birthday!

Zion and Finn enjoying ice cream.  Good to eat ice cream with one of your heros.

opening presents. and lots of laughing.

"gate" you often see at the entrance of temples.  they represent the mountains

monkeys at kakek dance

The next day we went with Jesse to the Kakek and Fire dance.  It is a dance that was created in the early 1900 for tourist that incorporates many elements of a traditional ritual in the temples.  Almost 100 men sit and chant like monkeys though the whole dance.  Really entertaining and fun.  The boys like the “monkeys” and of course the fire dance at the end is pretty impressive.  A man in trance dances on hot coals for a long long time.  He is brought out of trance by a priest and then people give him tips (or as Jesse said $ to go to the hospital to treat his feet!)  When we went up he grabbed Vaughn Hawk and was very curious about where he was from and where he was living here.  When he was done with his inquiries he told me very solemnly that Vaughn Hawk must stay in Bali.  Ending with “please, please stay”.  Hmmmm.  Vaughn gets lots of attention here from all the locals.  Even young hip taxi drivers are drawn to him.  Could be is crazy red curly hair, blue eyes or wild spirit.

Halloween. We woke up Halloween morning and 2 pumpkins had appeared.  Was this the doing of the great pumpkin or could this have something to do with a party Chloe and Clare went to.  Would they?  Could they... jack pumpkins??
We had an American style Halloween.  We carved pumpkins, kids wore costumes and Chloe and Clare organized a haunted house!  Even a few pieces of candy.

Chloe on left.  New volunteer.  She is great live in Hatti for 4 years! Yes she was there for the earthquake.

Clare- pumpkin theif?  This sweet girl from Iowa????

the Blueberry, German Tourist (complete with sunburn) and a Bali Taxi driver

After a few days rest we were up for another adventure.  Off to a famous ancient temple....

boys with Madeh our self trained and self employed tour guide

Our trip to the Pura Goa Gajah was .  The elephant temple.  Now don’t be fooled.  No elephants are indigenous to Bali.  It is named for the Ganesh, elephant statues, uncovered in the 60s by archeologist.  This is a very old temple site that has been used by both Buddhist and Hindu.  It was lost for over a century to be rediscovered by archeologist in the 60s.  Locally it is still used as a Temple by Hindus and tourist are welcome anytime to visit.  It’s a very popular site and so we went on the day the King was being cremated in town knowing that everyone would be there and we could have the place to ourselves.   Why didn’t we go to the cremation?  Locals said taking little kids in the heat would be a foolish idea.  I have learned to listen to the locals.  Cremations are not uncommon and we will see a smaller one when the opportunity arises.

washing our faces in the sacred fountain.  takes away years!

Rocks on right are the old Buddhist temple that fell in the 62 earthquake. 

So no one was really at the temple and as luck would have it there was a lovely man named Madeh there who offered to be our guide.  Turns out he dated a women from Vermont a few years back and had planned to come visit but couldn’t get a visa after 911.  He was very open about his life and religion as well as the history of the site.  We learned so much. 

Market on the way back to the bikes.  We almost made it our without a purchase...

 We learned alot about Hindu from Madeh.  He explained some basics better than anyone else so far.  Hindu religion and how it’s completely inter meshed with the culture.  And how it is  combination of Indigenous beliefs, Hindu and animism  The most striking aspect is that Hindu first prays for the universe and work their way down to themselves.  That is so obvious that the individual is not prioritized.  Bali Hindus (much different than say Indian) are non-violent.  I also appreciate that there is no missionary work done but they love when others come in dress to pray b.c God can hear and understand all languages.  There is sweetness and a beauty that pervades the peoples and earth here.  Of course the daily offerings are an amazing acknowledgment of gratitude something I want to take home and incorporate in my own life.

Mouth of the elephant cave. Rediscovered in the 60s by archeologist. 

 After a wonderful afternoon, walking in the sun we drove home on the bikes.  I am working to perfect the Balinese car seat which consist of a sarong tying the child to the mother.  I did ok on the way back.  Vaughn Hawk was so comfortable he fell asleep! Once  I perfect it I will post a picture.

love to you all