Bali,Bali,Bali

Thousands of people wearing white robes took over the roads yesterday in Sanur. It is almost a week of festivities approaching Nyepi, the Balinesian day of silence. Nyepi is a crazy holiday, not only is the airport closed but tourists aren't even allowed outside of their hotel- so we did what any American threatened with a lack of eating ammenities would do...we raided a local grocery store for peanut butter, jam, and oreos...classic! Here is a breakdown of the craziness, thanks to wikipedia:

• "First, The Melasti Ritual is performed at the 3-4 previous day. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea. The ritual performed in Pura (Balinese temple) near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belongs to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea.
• Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is performed in order to vanquish the negative elements and create balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual also meant to appease Batara Kala by Pecaruan offering. Devout Hindu Balinese villages usually make ogoh-ogoh, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh."
• Third, The Nyepi Rituals is performed with the following conditions:
  • Amati Geni: No fire/light, including no electricity
  • Amati Karya: No working
  • Amati Lelunganan: No travelling
  • Amati Lelanguan: Fasting and no revelry/self-entertainment
• Fourth, The Yoga/Brata Ritual starts at 6:00 AM  (March 5) and continues to 6:00 AM the next day.
• Fifth, The Ngebak Agni/Labuh Brata Ritual is performed for all Hindus to forgive each other and to welcome the new days to come.
• Sixth and finally, The Dharma Shanti Rituals is performed as the Nyepi Day or "Day of Silence."

-The ogoh-ogoh are gruesome things to see! There come in every variety of monster- though we have seen an awfull lot of saggy boobs on some these creatures, maybe the Balinese are afraid of saggy bits.

We will take photos tonight of the monster mash and post them the day after tomorrow, because we are grounded tomorrow...

Here's some photos of Bali and it's people: