Bali Art Project
The World is Our Classroom ~ The Journey Our Teacher
Home Stay Day 1
Once upon a time in a land far far away, there were 8 kids going to a home stay. They were all nervous and excited to have this new adventure but none of them really knew what was in store.
We went to a little village in Tabanan that was quite beautiful and nothing like I’ve ever seen before. Local teens met us and walked us into the village. They all were so kind and joyous to be around. Everyone we saw smiled and welcomed us into their village. We met in a big class called (you guessed it!) “the big class” and had a nice little introduction to the village with Ibu Ary, the woman who organised the home stay plans. The families we stay with speak minimal English so we have to figure out how to communicate with the limited Indonesian and Balinese we know. Learning about how to live in the village, even for just a few days, was very cool and different.
Since there are no sit-down toilets in the village, we had to watch a video that showed how to use an Indonesian toilet. That was definitely some quality interesting-ness, to say the least. We also learned that, in order to take a shower, you have to bathe in the river or with a ladle in the bathroom.
After the initial introduction, we all met at Ibu Ary’s house for dinner and then to listen to Gamelan afterwards. The guys playing the Gamelan let us play and we tried to play the songs we had learned in our classes in Ubud… we were pretty successful. They then taught us some traditional Gamelan songs which was really interesting and fun.
Even being here just a day has been so eye-opening. We are seeing how the Balinese people really live their lives. It is so cool and I know we will learn so much more and experience new adventures during the next few days.
Hope all is good back in the Fe!
-Marie
Welcome to the village…
Evening ended with dinner and Gamelon
That sounds so awesome to experience life of others; magical!
LMAO a video on the toilets!! Oh no. I can’t decide if I want to see it or not 🙂 I’d love to hear more on the differences between “city and country” life.. I imagine time slows and takes on its own pace. xoxo
I don’t know if this is a good thing or not, but I too, am interested in hearing more about the toilets and how my child, in particular, did with that. Bathing in a river or with a ladle…..definitely memories made there, too, I’m sure! You have all learned so much. Thanks for the post, Marie!
Wow! Sounds like the home stay is so different and that you all really enjoyed getting to know real life in the village. Love the descriptions and the river bathing!