Yesterday was the local new year, Nyepi, here in Bali. People have been building large statues of evil spirits (ogoh-ogohs) for months beforehand and they were carried around the streets on Monday evening. The purpose is to collect all the spirits in the statues and burn the whole thing, but nowadays many of them are only burnt symbolically and – yes, you guessed it – sold afterwards. Even religion isn’t immune to the laws of supply and demand.
An evil spirit in action
The funny thing is, not all of the evil spirits are religious figures. Some of them depicted tourists and other western symbols, like Mickey Mouse in diving gear or a white drunk with his willy hanging out of his shorts. And one on a jet ski.
At least my shorts weren’t blue and white
It’s funny to see how the ones bringing in most of the income are also the ones that are hauled around with the bad spirits and other such evil ones, but I guess it’s just one of those situations where money talks and so on.
After the parade and sellingburning the ogoh-ogohs, the whole town literally silences down for 24 hours. The Nyepi day (Tuesday the 16th this year) is like there was no one in: all shops and restaurants are closed, the streets are empty and even the tourists are kept inside their hotels. Only emergency transport to hospitals is allowed besides the traditional guards who keep watch.
Anyway, it’s over now and we’re almost finished with our Emergency First Response instructor course. Soon we’ll be able to teach CPR and first aid on our own.
Tags: holiday, instructor internship, PADI IDC, parties, photos, religion
My stuff & things are now on their way towards Helsinki and should arrive somewhere around early June. Luckily I have my new laptop for surfing, blogging and storage of photos, plus my 20 kilograms of luggage allowance for establishing a life in the jungle. Before that I have a bit more than two weeks to kill in Oulu, but I’m in luck: Wappu is coming! Maybe a couple of days off, a few cold drinks on the patio, driving around in Wesibussi and some well-deserved time off. We’ll see.
This actually isn’t the first homeless Wappu for me: some years back I gave up my apartment before the celebrations and moved in to the new one after all the parties and other mandatory ceremonies. This year I’ll take it easy and just relax – I’ve already seen all the wild stuff of it.
Now I’ll try to clean up this place, make it ready for the next occupant and find myself a place to stay. Does anyone need a digital TV box for cable network?
Tags: celebration, holiday, let me know, moving, parties, practical stuff, transportation, wappu
