Planes, trains and automobiles... and elephants and motorbikes.

 So it is a new year and for some reason people made a big fuss about it.  I just closed my eyes and clenched my teeth the night of as my age still conflicts with desired activities.  Rather, I celebrated the commencement of the last month of waiting until my 21st birthday.  Exciting stuff.  The reason I mention New Years is merely because I think this blog might be some sort of resolution (not that I make resolutions just because it is January 1st).  However, I've been reflecting lately and a blog seems like a great way to keep track.  That is if I can keep track of a blog.  But, I do need an outlet.

I suppose I'll make this post about winter break.  Which has been damn satisfying.  Practically two days after finals Jesse and I were off to Bali.  We had just up and planned it a few months before when Jesse came to visit SB.  It was relatively impulsive (our decision to up and fly to a country half way around the world) based partly on my going stir crazy having stayed in one town for over a year, and Jesse's desire to get to as many countries as he can before 30 or something.  In college you meet plenty of people who want to see the world.  But what we found we had in common was that we were both motivated enough to just plain make it happen.  So we did.  And we waited.  And it came.

It was one hell of a struggle getting over there.  Nuff said. 

After 13 hours of flight, I was glad to be grounded in just about any country.  But I will say Korea was awesome.  Seoul was a bustling city and everyone seemed to be well dressed.  Random but true.  We meandered downtown for the day until our next flight.  If we look chilly in the pictures it's because we WERE.






Our first day in Bali may have been my favorite.  Our B&B was in Ubud at Ketut's place.  After a delicious fix of what became our routine breakfast (pineapple pancakes and coffee) we were off to see the most culturally Balinese town in Bali.  We walked.  We walked a lot.  The morning's humidity had us soaking through our clothing.  After wandering through shops and by temples we stopped for our first Balinese meal at Cafe Lotus.  True Indonesian food.  And beer.  Of course.  We decided to walk walk walk some more.  We got happily lost in the rice terraces where we had a few colorful encounters.  There was the coconut lady, the Australian couple, the farmer man, and the fire ants.

Balinese women carry everything by noggin. 

But the most beautiful thing about that day was the rain.  A sudden torrential downpour while we were walking back from the rice terraces.  It was so freeing not to care that I was getting soaked.  It wasn't a cold rain, nor was it particularly warm.  It was just perfect.  It energized and uplifted my spirit.  I didn't have to care about anything other than what I was feeling in that moment.  Perfect contentedness with everything around me.  We ran past rural family compounds until we reached town and trudged our way through the flooded streets to our home-stay.  The material of our clothing clung to our skin.  

After showers, rest, and reflection, we headed to dinner at the coveted Three Monkeys cafe where we had Tapas and Pina Coladas (fusion style food is a common theme in Balinese restaurants).   Upon our return we were passing an important Hindu ceremony (one of many in fact).  Hundreds of by standers and participants alike.  Clanking bells and interminable songs.  Men walking on long sticks, women with stacks of offerings on their heads.  An enchanting end to the night.  

Balinese ceremonies and rituals are as frequent as every hour.   Hinduism rituals are extensive and intricate.  It is a complex but incredibly beautiful religion.