8/19 -- Fly to Bali, Visit Dance Class

We got up before 5am today to catch our 8:15 flight to Bali and discovered it is in a different time zone, an hour later than we have been. We drove north toward Ubud, stopping for  lunch. The villages we drove through looked more prosperous than the ones we saw in Java. Many of the  homes are traditional compounds with formalized locations for sleeping, cooking, rituals. etc.

A formal entrance to a housing compound.

The arched dealies along the street went up
a month ago for some celebration and can be
removed after today.

After lunch we  headed to a home where the owner  has established a dance studio for youngters age 6 to 15 to teach them traditional Balinese style dance. He charges about 22 cents for the lessons, which, even with 80 -120 students, is hardly a living wage. Fortunately, he is  very talented and has other income sources. Our local guide, Walika, told us he used to be a tour guide too. We watched a class of advanced beginners (supplemented by some more experienced dancers), then got a chance to try it for ourselves. We were amazed at how tiring it was to maintain the arm positions and how difficult for some of us (me) to crouch down as low as the routines called for. 

This was followed by an introduction to the musicians and their instruments and formal presentations by 3 groups, ages 10 to 13, in full makeup and costume. I had not really been looking forward to this, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

The youngest kids we saw. The girl in the orange skirt had very
good movement but was SO serious--pursed lips as she focused
on doing it right and we never were able to get her to crack a smile.
Smiles are a good thing in the performance.

My favorite non-smiler

Me laughing as  I attempt the moves.  May
is in the right corner.

An 11-year old boy whose father is a famous
performer. He has only been taking lessons for
a year but apparently has a lot of promise.

The men get their chance. Ron (back in white), Homer (who
really got the eye mevements perfectly), Jim (back row) and
Alec.

Jim attempting to look fierce.

After a formal performance. These girls are all 13.

Our group in fancy headdresses intermixed with the students.

The following (if it works) is a short video of one of the dance groups.

Finally we headed off to our hotel, near the center of Ubud and close to 2 very inexpensive spas. Yea! More massage and maybe a pedicure in my future. The hotel has two infinity pools and very lovely grounds, although the rooms are smaller than most we have been in.