The day before leaving for Indonesia, we were successful in getting our ARC (a resident certificate necessary to leave and re-enter Taiwan)! The ARC allowed us to get a local phone number which allowed a bank account which will allow for the fellowship stipend.
And we were off to Bali on a red eye. Kuta beach is beautiful with bright flowers, warm breezes, giant breakfasts and ornate statues and temples.
Our first night we had a delicious family style meal with tiny dishes of clams, octopus, squid followed by beautiful shared desserts of fresh fruit, coconut rice and mochi sweets. Local Balinese musicians and dancers performed.
We rented an umbrella and chairs by the ocean for the price of two coconut drinks. And you could hear the call to prayer at sunset as everyone came to the beach to fly their kites.
Today we traveled by car to a nearby temple. Everyone wears brightly covered skirts to enter. Outside every gate is a Hundu Canang Sari, a place for daily blessing where people leave tiny palm baskets of flowers or fruit. Our guide explained it is less of a prayer but more of a blessing or offering of gratitude for the land, for family, and for God.
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