Happy New Year!! It's New Year's Day according to the Balinese calendar and we're ringing in the year 1937! I don't want to blog about our experience with Nyepi yet, because today is Nyepi, so I fill you in tomorrow. But first I want to tell you what Nyepi is and how it's celebrated. And I'll give you a small update from me and Michael : )
Every year, the men in each banjar (small village community or neighborhood) get together to create an Ogoh-ogoh. These are large statues made from styrofoam or natural materials and are built for the parade on the eve of Nyepi. Ogoh-ogohs are made to look like demons or bad spirits, most I would describe as creepy and terrifying! I can't wait to show you photos! The idea is to bring out all of the naughty spirits so that the environment can be cleansed and purified for the new year. The parade usually includes loud music with percussion especially symbols, fireworks, yelling and of course the Ogoh-ogohs.
The next day is Nyepi and it is a day of silence. This is the time for reflection, meditation and setting intentions for the new year. There are a four rules:
Amati Geni (no fire or light)
Amati Karya (no working)
Amati Lelunganan (no travel)
Amati Lelanguan (fasting and no entertainment)
Even the international airport on island shuts down for the day! It's the only airport in the world to close for a religious day! Also the roads are closed unless you are going to the hospital. The only people that are out of the house are Pecalang (banjar security) who remind community members to follow the rules.
Since we are not Hindu, we do not have to follow all of the rules, but if we stay at home (not travel to a resort) we need to be respectful to our neighbors. I hope the sky is clear tonight, because everyone says the stars are unbelievable on Nyepi!
And a small update: This week was grea! I feel like we're getting back to normal. Michael went diving two days in Tulamben and Nusa Penida with some manta rays. I went back to school and it was so nice to see all of my kids and colleagues! A lot of the teachers have had dengue so it was interesting to hear everyone's experience. One teacher said, "Welcome back to life!" : ) Two weeks to 3 months is how long it can take to get your energy back after dengue, but I feel stronger everyday! I had a doctors appointment and my platelets are normals again!! 193!!
And if you follow my class Instagram you've heard this story already:
On Tuesday, I read Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon to the class. In the story the mother bat loses her baby and then comes back to her. We've been focusing on text to self connections so one boy raised his hand to share his connection. He said, "It's like when you were gone and then you came back to us yesterday!" and the whole class agreed. They melt my heart!
Selemat Hari Nyepi!
Every year, the men in each banjar (small village community or neighborhood) get together to create an Ogoh-ogoh. These are large statues made from styrofoam or natural materials and are built for the parade on the eve of Nyepi. Ogoh-ogohs are made to look like demons or bad spirits, most I would describe as creepy and terrifying! I can't wait to show you photos! The idea is to bring out all of the naughty spirits so that the environment can be cleansed and purified for the new year. The parade usually includes loud music with percussion especially symbols, fireworks, yelling and of course the Ogoh-ogohs.
The next day is Nyepi and it is a day of silence. This is the time for reflection, meditation and setting intentions for the new year. There are a four rules:
Amati Geni (no fire or light)
Amati Karya (no working)
Amati Lelunganan (no travel)
Amati Lelanguan (fasting and no entertainment)
Even the international airport on island shuts down for the day! It's the only airport in the world to close for a religious day! Also the roads are closed unless you are going to the hospital. The only people that are out of the house are Pecalang (banjar security) who remind community members to follow the rules.
Since we are not Hindu, we do not have to follow all of the rules, but if we stay at home (not travel to a resort) we need to be respectful to our neighbors. I hope the sky is clear tonight, because everyone says the stars are unbelievable on Nyepi!
And a small update: This week was grea! I feel like we're getting back to normal. Michael went diving two days in Tulamben and Nusa Penida with some manta rays. I went back to school and it was so nice to see all of my kids and colleagues! A lot of the teachers have had dengue so it was interesting to hear everyone's experience. One teacher said, "Welcome back to life!" : ) Two weeks to 3 months is how long it can take to get your energy back after dengue, but I feel stronger everyday! I had a doctors appointment and my platelets are normals again!! 193!!
And if you follow my class Instagram you've heard this story already:
On Tuesday, I read Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon to the class. In the story the mother bat loses her baby and then comes back to her. We've been focusing on text to self connections so one boy raised his hand to share his connection. He said, "It's like when you were gone and then you came back to us yesterday!" and the whole class agreed. They melt my heart!
Selemat Hari Nyepi!
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