First free Weekend

This was our first free weekend in our home stays. Friday we took a tour of Bedulu and visited the temples and monuments. 

In the afternoon we visited a purification temple. We stuck our heads under several water spouts that were meant to prevent bad dreams and demons. I felt very clean afterwards.

I then spent the remainder of the night with my family relaxing on the porch, practicing Indonesian, and listening to music. 

Saturday morning we took a trip to the beach. It was a black sand beach that was extremely hot. We burnt our feet on the sand and our bodies in the sun. No more black sand beaches. 

Saturday night my family took me to dinner at an Indonesian style KFC. It was interesting. They have tea in bottles here!!! It is called teh bottles. It isn't as good as my mommas tea, but who can complain. 

 Sunday morning I slept in and then painted my little sisters nails. Monica, another student brought her little sister over to paint hers also. We played with their new chickens, pulled out coloring books that I brought from America, and before you knew it the entire neighborhood was at our play date. When the coloring books grew old, my sisters pulled out a puzzle that I purchased at the dollar store and all of the children had fun putting together the animal puzzle. 

Monica with her little sister (Rati, age 5) and my two sisters (Putu, age 6 and Kadek, age 4)

Neighborhood children joining in the fun

Spongebob drawing

working on the puzzle

In Bali American students are celebrities. The locals love to take pictures of and with us. They especially love taking pictures when we are in traditional Balinese attire. It is funny but a little much when they line up to have a chance to take a picture. We are famous.

Laundry: I DON"T HAVE TO DO IT! next to the program center is a laundry mat that washes and irons our clothing for about 5 dollars for a big stack of clothing.

Dishes: I finally convinced my mom to allow me to wash my own dishes. I feel rude leaving them on the table so she agrees sometimes to let me rinse them in the sink. I had to remind her we are considered Keluarga (family).

My family gets better everyday. My Bapak wore a Wofford t-shirt today that I brought for him. My little sisters now call me Kak Shelly, or in other words (big sis Shelly). My mother is always quizing me and teaching me new words and my grandfather loves to bring me new fruits to try. 

This week we are visiting our academic director's village, celebrating my birthday, and preparing for our trip to Java.

Dah-Dah (bye bye) for now. 

Lots of love, Kak Shelly