Tin tin the royal cousin
Trip Start
Aug 23, 2005
1
4
Trip End
Ongoing
Lovina, Bali, Indonesia
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Last night, before the procession began (this time for a group of tourists) I, all decked out, went to the front courtyard and sat with the village kids. About 20 kids gathered around me and just stared and giggled. I started singing "Old Macdonald" again and some of the kids remembered the E-I-E-I-O part. So when I sang "Old Macdonald had a farm, " all the kids shouted E-I-E-I-O! Then I sang " and on that farm he had bibi (pig in indonesian) E-I-E-I-O" and the kids sand the E-I part. Then I started snorting and the laugher broke out. To see a white girl in classic Balinese dress is one thing, to hear her snorting and singing is quite another! I got the kids to snort, meow, bark and moo. It was a riot! They wouldn't leave me alone! The next morning I went for a walk in
the rice fields with some of the family and we saw a group of children hanging out on the road. They stared screaming "Tin Tin! E-I-E-I-O!!!" It was soo cute I thought I would have a fit!
the dancing last night that they did was called Bogong. It's a trance dance where the dancers stab a monster and then themselves. The village is famous for this dance. The foriegners were appalled and the kids were delighted. The band whas loud and there was fire and knives and several big monsters. I sat with the locals (I feel like one now) and we had a ball. I think I know most people in the village and most certainly, they know me.
For the 31st, we have a huge ceremony at the family temple. They've been preparing for over a week now and the
compound is a buzz with activity. I'm having a shirt made for me and I have to find a matching sarong and some jewellery. You can't get in unless you're completely fitted out in traditional dress, and nice dress at that. The family
has been so inviting to me. Everytime I pass the king, he drags me aside and won't stop talking. Last night I had dinner with the King and Queen to be. They're next in line for the throne and couldn't be nicer people. There's children running all over the compound at all hours of the day and servants running this way and that with offerings and errands. Last night I showed one of the tourists my house and in came the entire group of 40 people all marvelling at the carving of the place. Mine house looks like a slum compared to the rest of the place though.
Tomorrow my diver and I are going to a waterfall and silver shopping. He's ace at getting the best deals!
Well, I hope everyone is well and I will be asking for blessing for everyone at the temple ceremony! Big
kisses andf lots o love to you all!
tin tin
