GOODBYE TO BALI...for now

The close of a life-changing trip is full of emotion, memories, and Bali spirits. Goodbyes at the airport are hard to say. But everyone is planning how to get back...

Tom Jones, Kajsa Ingemansson, Terri Virgilio and David Knezz get a “Selamat Jalan” sendoff from Newman and Joan, who ride off into the sunset via motorbike to savor a glass of rice wine and plan the '09 course.

Thanks to all the students and the wonderful people of Bali who made this such a great trip!

"Finals"

Our final presentation night
is always a little bit of recital, a little bit of party, a lot of friends, and a lot of improvisation. The shadow puppetry students present their original wayang kulit, accompanied by their teachers. The students who have been studying dance are costumed and made up by their teachers in traditional fashion.

This year Kajsa and Terri showed a traditional womens’ welcome dance, a pendet, and were joined by Tom for the gopala, a more recent dance based on the movements of rice planting and harvesting.

After it's all over, everyone dances salsa...


Top: Learning the gopala
Center: Gopala dancers with teachers, Ayu and Ayu
Bottom: one of our teachers, Ayu Hartitik, in performance with her ensemble.

This picture is here only to prove to those back home that Joan really does get around Bali by motorbike. Notice that we drive on the left side in Bali.





The picture of the aptly grafiti-ed curve, “Mr. Blind,” marks a favorite spot for uphill wipeouts in the rainy season. The gods were smiling and Joan walked away from her own Mr. Blind encounter with a minor scratch .