Clark Griswold would be proud here in Bali as the every 210-day Balinese New Year feast of Gulangan is about to happen on the 17th. But he would also have a lot of competition, not for Christmas lights, but for holiday decorations.
Downtown Ubud
Instead of Christmas trees and lights, the Balinese take large bamboo poles and decorate them into what is called panjures.
The base at eye level
And like at home, it seems to be a guy thing.
Dressing outside a home
We guess that the women are inside cooking and preparing special works of art for the offerings (See our post on Offerings, Big & Small). They are also decorating the temple and home carvings.
And these little piggies went to the market
In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (the movie I've seen more times than any other), Clark Griswold carves a turkey Here, pork is the special holiday meal. The men will slaughter the pigs, probably tomorrow. There are four large-but pathetic-ones hog-tied in the community square, about 50 yards from our house. We've been hearing their miserable squeals all afternoon. We'll spare you their photo.
Keep in mind that Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, more Muslims than in all of the Middle East combined. Bali is a Hindu/animist enclave that is tolerated --perhaps even embraced--by the rest of the country.
One more thing--three nights ago we serendipitously came upon a temple procession, which is part of the Galungan festival, which by the way celebrates when all the gods and spirits return to earth for 10 days. What an awesome site and sound to behold! Here's a very brief clip (27 seconds) from our YouTube channel. Enjoy!
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