Salamat Tahun Baru: Happy New Year

dancing in the rain before changing into whites for the Dark Moon Ceremony

Didn't think I'd post before the New Year but it has been such a full time in Ubud I had the fortune to have another woman staying at the home stay who is studying yoga at an Ashram here - she is 26 years old, from Neslon BC! she has been great to be around, invited me to come with her into town on her motor scooter and given me a lift to get a few groceries. We've had such fun together. She invited me to come with her to the Ashram Christmas Eve for the Hindu Dark Moon ceremony which is very special ceremony each new and full moon. It is held in the temple area of the Ashram which is so amazing to be in let alone part of the worship/ceremony. Mostly Balinese people there with about 15 Europeans who are studying there or have moved here and participate in the temple. It was about 11/2 to 2 hours long - lost track of a variety of singing/chanting to music on a congo drum, huge accordion type instrument sitting on the floor, then up on our feet - I was grateful as I do not sit crossed legged well for long! I followed some very graceful movements that al had meaning and were similar to other Hindu worship movements I've seen int he movies. I'm afraid I was not as graceful as them but did my best. Then moved on to the centre of the temple with many shrines with very significant meaning, again more dance type moves then circling the shrines with all the men and women single file moving and pausing at each to acknowledge its meaning.  Under the Dark Moon, following an afternoon of intense rain it was so fresh in the air and temperature about 25C. It was truly magical. Then onto the area for general gathering and the music began again and the musicians sang and led us in song and the Guru led us in singing and the party began with much laughing, and dancing around the raised platform SO much fun, love and sharing exuding from everyone there. We sang Hahlleluia  (how DO you spell this?) over and over to music led by the Guru to acknowledge those of us who celebrate Christmas which was very kind of him and the local people. They sang Silent Night with us and Away in a Manger as those were the only written carols we had with us. I just kept pinching myself for a reality check and was so very moved to be accepted/invited into this gather ing of people. I am uploaded - oops can't seem to get it so will have to research how -  a video of one of the celebration songs/dance honouring the servant in all of us and in the Guru in his work at he Ashram.

ready for the Michael Franti party

THEN, Mandy ran into Michael Franti while I was shopping at the market, introduced herself and the upshot was he invited her and a friend - ME - to his home/retreat centre here in Ubud for a small party Christmas night. Don and I saw him perform in Ottawa summer of 2006 when I volunteered at the Blues Festival. WE loved his energy and his music. He is a really kind individual, and we arrived in our little black dresses on Mandy's motor scooter and he created us warmly then carried on being a normal host with his friends. We ate snack food, tried a drink of Arak (rice wine ) and 3 ounces was enough for me! No more to drink that evening for either of us. Potent stuff if one had more. We bopped and hopped to the dj above the pool on terraced areas. Go to his website and you will see the retreat centre in Ubud. It was like going to a movie star home party in Hollywood although these people seemed very genuine and real. Many are studying or practicing yoga as Michael is known as a practicing yogi. Well, enough for now my friends - this little reprieve in Ubud has reinvigorated me for my return to Kupang next Tuesday, ready with more ability in language and ready for some work. Will keep you posted as always. Love to all as you journey into this new year.