Monday before Temple Performance

OMG The temple performance has been moved to tomorrow! Last week it was mentioned to us in passing that we’d be performing the two pieces that we just learned in 5 days, and even better at the blessing ceremony of a high priestess!!!

So we spent the day practicing and well I’m nervous!!!! but it will be a good experience… I’m trying not to be homesick but It comes in waves- i just don’t feel social enough and a bit enclosed because of language barrier(again!).

There’s also a big Ubud festival that’s been going on for a few days now and Cudamani has performed every night; i haven’t made it yet. Today we went to get these corset-type undergarments that the women where here under their Kabayas. We’re getting them for our costumes- there is a strange double standard on appropriate attire here in Bali that makes me weary. I sometimes find myself frustrated trying to fit in but on the other hand I have to remind myself that I’m a tourist and it’s obivious to everyone else, so don’t hurt myself trying. It was nice to travel a lttle further out of the city after practice to get the undergarments- I prefer to see that area bc it seemed a bit less tourist oriented and prices were miraculous.

Today we added spears to the male dance piece and also heard and experimental piece from the musicians. Everyone feels better about the male piece bc it’s a less complicated and our teachers are so positive! They are confident that we have the technique down but today definitely assured me otherwise. I think we’ll do well tomorrow. As for the female piece… We shall see. Alot of us may practice tonight just to feel better about it. It’s not that we don’t feel good doing it- it’s just that when u think “I’ve got it” one of the teachers comes over to fix you and you’re like blah!!!! fail!

Working and practicing with the musicians is really helpful and once you start listening to the piece you’re really feeling it. Ibu Arini taught us how to take ques from the music, listening to the changes in the main drum and then the small and large gong to indicate change in movement and pace. I’m pretty excited to learn the new piece and get past this one hehe. Not that it’ll be any easier.