March 27--More Than Monsoon

Love is space and time measured by the heart.  --Marcel Proust

    Chanting and meditation this morning was to the sound of ocean waves crashing on shore. It was glorious. 

    Backing up to talk about fruit. Yesterday after the temple visit, the guys bought a durian to try. It is quite sharp and spiny on the outside. Inside, it has a nasty flavor, including a wretched aftertaste, and the texture is disgusting. There was no trying to pretend it was even close to OK. Komang and Edi love it. 

YUCK!!!

    At breakfast this morning, we had mangosteen. It is "the fruit that does not lie." Each one has a small multi-petal flower on the skin, and the number of flower petals indicates the number of fruit segments inside. This one is the exact opposite of durian--super delicious with great texture. 

YUMMY!

    After breakfast, we headed for Pura Agung Besakih Temple, the highest and holiest temple in Bali. We were re-routed on the way there due to a road closure. Further on, there was one hairpin turn going up the mountain where a truck was stopped that could not get its heavy load up the mountain. Traffic was able to take turns getting around it.

    Before going to the temple, Lanie and I had to put on lace shirts over our t-shirts in order to go in, and we all had on our sarongs. We climbed the stairs and had the same prayer ceremony as yesterday. However, this time we had a holy woman who did the water-flicking and rice distribution. We roamed around, did some picture-taking and started back down. It started to drizzle. 

Looking up to the temple and the
many stairs

Our view from up high

    By the time we got down to the place to pick up the shuttle bus, it was pouring like I have never seen. "Monsoon" doesn't even begin to describe it. Even with umbrellas, we got soaked. The lanes and pathways were flooded, which stopped no one, not even the scooters. I stepped in water up to my ankles many times. Finally the shuttle came, which got us back to the parking garage and our car. It rained all the way down the mountain and followed us to our hotel. This is the stuff that floods the rice fields.

    We stopped at the "Balinese Walmart" to get snacks and water. The aisles are barely big enough for one person to squeeze through. 

    I believe it will be a lovely evening to stay in and order food delivered--the restaurants don't charge for that! 

    Ready to chill,

        Leta