kecak 2 and new dance

So yesterday was all about prep for the temple performance. we got there early to do hair and make up and to go over both dances again.

Unfortunately I was feeling awful. I don’t know what I ate or drank- but bali belly hit in full swing. I felt light headed and had slight fever. But still i stuck it in and went to the temple. That was an awful idea bc we took these 14 passenger buses, and I not only sat in the back, but we managed to go island style and stuff 18 people in. The ride was not at all smooth and i didn’t take dramamine. I think my eyes were closed for an hour just doing breathing exercises. The little girl group for cudamani also packed in with us, and some of the musicians. The little girls were also performing that day and our teacher was going to do a mask dance that is considered very sacred. When we got there I was not at all feeling better, but somehow my fever managed to break while i was there which i found really amazing. Usually for ceremonies like the one we attended, offerings and procedures go on for a couple of days and entire villages participate. This was extra special because not only was the ceremony for a high-priestess (which is rare for a woman to reach such high status) but also she came from a very highly regarded family line of priests (Bali also observes a caste system that differs a bit from the Indian caste system).

As we sat there ready to begin our parts of the ceremony, It began POURING. Torrential down pour, that didn’t seem to have an end. The ceremony continued on, but I couldnt. I ended early and left with Ibu Arini (who had a performance at the Ubud festival) so i didn’t perform. The others told me that it went really well aside from being soaked, and that our other teacher’s mask performance was incredible. The little girls also performed amazingly in the rain as if they were unfazed.

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I missed lessons today because I’m still sick. But i was told that because we’re such fast learners we are learning 2 new pieces this week. It was explained to me as “last week on crack”. Soo. The others also did another kecak which I’m sad to have missed.

Looking forward to a speedy recovery to get to this new piece. Going to rest some more.