Walking the Sawah

climbing the terraces of green in solitude and solidarity with manmade nature

There has been a lot of talking about sawah as we go about making Konservasi Sawah Bali a reality....... but there is Never enough time to actually walk them.
Jantuk informed Annie (my intern) and me that Ceking, the famous rice paddies of Tegallalang were open for walking now.  I have been visiting these rice paddies from afar often..... now was the time to explore them.  The farmers had decided to open them up and charge a very small donation to walk them. 
A great idea!

we usually view them from the the town..... now we are climbing them

the morning dew captures Annie making a blessing at the sangah dugul (offering for the Goddess Dewi Sri)

We woke extra early to experience the sawah in the morning light (and not the unforgiving light/heat of mid morning ).  We ate some bubur  (a smear of rice pudding with chillies, peanuts and shredded fried coconut placed in the center) from an old Ibu who was selling breakfast  on the 
road.  It was served on a banana leaf, and we used part of the leaf to scoop up the rice. Yum.

we spoke to farmers who own the land and were off to work (some coming from their morning bath)

Ibu cooking food for the pigs

We met and spoke with a number of farmers, who live in a nearby village, but have a simple place near the paddies, to have animals, and to eat and rest.  

tools

the inside patterning of the hat they wear .....and made us

Old pak making us a hat

will it fit?

working very deliberately

what artistry

He really liked my glasses- he went up the coconut palm and got us some fresh ones for kelapa muda

We drank coconut water, ate some roasted wild mushrooms and hung out with this Ibu + Pak and their son-in-law for a couple of hours

Annie enjoying the walk

Jantuk getting in touch with his inner village boyhood

We had a terrific morning with them, talking and laughing about life........ The elders did not speak any bahasa Indonesia (only Balinese- which I really cannot speak)..... but Ibu made herself very clear....
she kept asking for money in a coy way.....
Well, after all the coconut water + hats purchased (which will be our mascot at our office).... and all the money I was slipping Ibu...... I joked with Jantuk on the walk down.....
"Hey Jantuk, those farmers are going to make more money than you will today!"

the shy family dog who I must have fed the entire coconut to....in small pieces..... but she would not let me pet her no matter how close I would toss the food

travelin' woman

YES there is more- Reception and "Dirty Dancing"

Okay.... did I say theatre....... here they are Raja + her Raj

the Priest getting ready again

After the reception...... later in the evening we go to the Groom's compound for the nighttime party.  All the youth was there....and Dedik put together a jogeg gamelan (bamboo).

this is the dirty dancing........ pretty risque for Bali ....a lot of lap dancing also. she grabs men from the audience

travelin' woman

Kawin! (wedding)

But first some of the preparations...

remember all of this is done with knives, and little pieces of bamboo

What Artistry!

all done with rice paste/colored called kue

Jantuk's brother made creating the structure

Yes this is just what you think it is!

All of the above was created at the bride's compound for the reception.  
The actual wedding ceremony took place at Wayans' family compound at 8am - September 6.

Jevika with Dad as we enter the compound

all the floral decorations are from Dedik's brother's shop

Ina and Jevika waiting for the ceremony

3 generations of  women: Kadek in her marriage outfit, Ibu, Jero (sister and mother of Ayu and Jevika) +Ayu

they looked very natural ....

the ceremony begins

all the rituals

very soft 

the dogs know just how to eat the sate offerings, delicately taking it off the sticks

he has his kris, the wavy bladed sacred warrior knife that he penetrates the woven pandan leaves
(yes, I actually asked what this meant..... but you probably have guessed.... meanwhile she is 4 months pregnant)

travelin' woman