Bali Compounds

This whole blogging thing is taking every effort I have right now. I am having trouble getting blogger to load pictures (I can only do two at a time - we all know how photo heavy I get) and once I get them loaded it takes forever to get it to post. I have no idea why it is giving me grief the way it is, but that being coupled with me still not being 100% and the bouts of depression (probably from still not being well), I am about to toss in the towel. Maybe I will get it figured out - I have no doubt if I was thinking clearly and feeling well it would happen. Tomorrow. Right? lol...

Most people in Bali live with several (up to 4) generations of their family in compounds behind large fences. Each of the compounds is unique to the family and its elaboracy (is that even a word?) depends on the family's fortune or lack there of. Most of the ones we saw were inside very old antique brick fences so we could not see them. Our driver took us to the family compound of someone he knew. It was very interesting to go behind the gate of what we had only seen the exterior of while we were in Bali. We had no idea what was behind the fences until our guide took us into one.

Most of the living areas are open air. This is where the families all rest during the day - mats out on the platform so the breeze gently flows over them while they catnap. Steve and our guide were (not so) patiently waiting while I took pictures here:




This is the kitchen area, complete with a view :-)




The dining area is a place to stop and eat. The Balinese do not all sit and eat at once, they do it individually as they get hungry. It is not a big affair like it can be in the states.




The children all have their entertainment area - complete with tv, and view, of course. In view of the family that is ;-)




This is where the entertainment is; the musical instruments here to serenade the family. The elders (grandparents?) bed is in this same building... I guess the musical instruments are the entertainment here.




How would you like to climb in THIS bed? Oh, and imagine the privacy you would have:




Steve and I got to learn how to play the instruments. Steve caught on quite quickly:




Me, not so much... lol...




I thought this one was funny - the kids room. It can hold as many kids as live in the compound - and it is closed in. Ahhh, now I am beginning to understand.




Steve and the guide discussing the forms of entertainment the children can enjoy:




The storage area for the compound:




With beautiful ancient pieces of furniture:




There were many alters here to serve different gods:





And ways of praying were explained to us using different plants as offerings:




The guide telling us what this alter was for - it was to serve the trinity




There were many different alters:




Even large ones:




But sometimes you are forbidden to go to some of the alters, even in this day and time:




Daily there are offerings put out for all the gods; to bring health, good luck, prosperity... whatever the alter or offering is for. It was amazing to see them surrounding you - even outside the gates:




The stonework is elaborate, ancient and beautiful:









Once outside the compound we came to another building where the crafters were all huddled around carving.






Beautiful pieces of art to be sold to the highest barterer - or better yet, a contract for many sales.



Can it get any better than these?


We are the proud owners of this piece of art carved by one man :-) One solid chunk of wood carved into this amazing scene:





The talent and patience it takes to make one of these is... well... wow. Looking at it says it all.

As I said, what a great opportunity this trip was for us to see how others in the world live.