January 4, 2017

Not a lot to report on today but did want to check in to let you know that it is absolutely possible to buy a gorgeous outfit at the movie theatre.  Yes....you heard me.....the movie theatre in Ubud does quadruple duty as a health food store, a restaurant, a clothing boutique, and the local movie theatre!  We stopped into Paradiso (movie theatre) to pick up the January schedule of movies and while there Lynda stripped down once again.  (It may be getting to be an addiction!). In short order she was having the girl who also sells theatre tickets and popcorn cutting the tags off her new outfit.  It really is beautiful....the top is more of a work of art than clothes....she'll get lots of use out of it I'm sure!

Beyond that shopping expedition I can tell you that we listened to a local tourist newspaper about where to go for dinner.  We opted for the "best new restaurant" and although it was good...it didn't compare to some of the other meals we've enjoyed since arriving here.  Their menu was a little more touristy and I'm a firm believer that when in Rome do as the Romans or more accurately...when in Bali....eat as the Balinese.

Finally, today as we were sitting out on our patio (after being served another delicious breakfast) a big black butterfly with blue spots on his wings came for a visit.  I guess he liked my blue dress as he stopped by for a visit a few times and on one of those visits he even decided to set a spell on my shoulder.  I held my breath not wanting to scare him away and when he finally did move he went only so far as to move to my knee.  Lucky lucky me!  That was a first!

What we were chatting about before that butterfly paid us a visit is how impressed we are that the Balinese have been able to retain their traditions amidst all the pressures of tourism and the massive numbers of people who visit this little island.  Our conversation was prompted by the fact that today is a special day on the Balinese calendar.  It is the day to celebrate the goddess of money (and business) so there are extra offerings put out at all places of work and huge celebrations at the temples (of which there are more than 10,000 on the island- and that number doesn't include all the private temples people have on their own properties).  This special ceremony goes on for a couple of days and so the people that work at our house have had to run back and forth between here and their village (about an hour away) to participate in ceremonies there.  They've been having to go home for the ceremony as one of their special family ceremonies also falls on this same day.  So they've been paying homage to their ancestors as well as the goddess of wealth and business.  Anyway...it is amazing that they're able to keep it all straight - it is a complex culture/religion and it is even more amazing that there seems to be a continuing strong commitment to all of the traditions even among the younger generation.

Soooo....it was another good day here in paradise....till next time,
L & L