Today we were invited to a Temple Ceremony near Sandy's family home just North of Ubud. After witnessing one of Sandy's relatives climb a palm tree and send coconuts crashing down to drink we all dressed up in traditional Balinese clothes, Theo included.
With offerings in hand, or on head for the more experienced temple goers, we walked to the ceremony where dozens of local men and boys played gamelon and a group of young girls swarmed Theo and I asking his name, holding his hands and feet and playing the Balinese version of peek-a-boo which involves covering your face with both hands and then opening your hands and saying daaa!
Once the children and Theo had finished playing gamelon we entered the main temple where everyone was kneeling on the floor facing a platform covered in beautiful homemade offerings of chicken, fruit, cakes and crackers. We joined the knelling people and listened carefully as Sandy's uncle explained how to pray. However, Theo who had not slept all day because of the excitement and heat began to freak out. I was kneeling with him on my lap in the middle of 50-60 other praying adults and children when he decided he really had it. Luckily I manged to sneak out without falling on anyone and after meeting some nice Balinese mamas and drinking a bit of water he cooled down. Michel then took the exhausted Theo and I was able to kneel for a quick prayer.
During these prayers everyone holds their hands together at head height and makes a first prayer, when the priest rings a bell you lower your hands. The second prayer you hold a flower between your hands and after your prayer you tuck the flower behind one ear. The third prayer goes the same with another flower tucked behind your other ear, and the forth with the flower in your hair. The priest comes and blesses you with jasmine water and rice which you stick to your forehead and neck. Since moving to Bali, I have often seen people with rice on their head and flowers in their hair, now i know why.
After the ceremony we walked back to their house and had a delicious dinner of smoked chicken, sticky rice, cucumbers and a delicious salsa which I learned how to make, I promise to post the recipe soon.
