Nypei Day

Ok so I know it’s been a while since Nypei but I thought I’d update you about how mine went. 

So the parade first of all.  We went out about 7pm, drove around looking at the different areas and then settled on Sanur By pass.  Here are a few pics to show you (sorry about the dark ones)

Typically the day started off as normal.  Breakfast, checking my phone (pretty much all day, news apps, facebook, twitter etc) got a shower, watched a dvd (on low) then around 4-5 Danny and his dad starts covering up everything.  Now we have these shutters in front and down the side of the house to stop the rain getting in, so it wasn’t a big job, just had to put cardboard on the small windows that were showing, in the bathroom and bedroom etc.  They hooked up a big plastic sheet over the side of the house that wasn’t covered. 

The darkness came, and lucky me I got to see the stars! AMAZING!!!! I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’m pretty sure I saw a satellite go over too, which I’ve definitely never seen before.  I did manage to take one picture to show you. 

The rest of the night was take up watching more DVDs and finally going to bed around 2am. 

I woke up the next day and my father in law had already taken all the coverings down by himself. 

Another successful Nyepi day.  

Silent day how to prepare!

 This coming Monday March 31^st is Nyepi or silent day as it’s called here.  The whole island shuts it’s self down.  It is the Balinese Hindu New Year, the different areas (banjars) that the Hindus belong to get together to make these huge scary dolls called ogho-ogho.  They parade them through the streets the night before which represents them scaring off the ‘bad spirits’ and then between 6am and 6am everyone stays inside, covers the windows and turns off all the lights and stays silent to tell the spirits that no one is here and they will leave the island alone for another year. 

I have been here for four silent days now.  I was here with my sister but left the night of the parade of nyepi eve some people call it.  The first year I spent it with Dannys mum and younger sister and him in her house, the second year in a hotel as Danny had to work (entertainment) there, and last year we stayed with his dad.  This year we are with his dad again as most of the time his dad is alone, and his house is quite large with almost no protection around it. 

The whole Island is so still and quiet and at night the starts are like you’ve never seen them before.  Unfortunately for me I’ve never seen the stars although I hope to this year. 

The people here buy food like they will never be allowed out of their homes again.  It’s a little bit like Christmas back at home.  We over buy food for the one day the shops are closed and even then there are still certain places that are open.  Ok here nowhere is open but after 6am you’re free to leave your house and do as you please.  I know last year I had to leave the house at 6.30 to get myself to work. 

It’s a really nice tradition that I like, I’ve been told it isn’t at all what it used to be like, with people getting lazy about it, but they are still strict with you if you go outside or make noise or show any lights.  You will get into trouble. 

I’ve come up with a list of do’s and don’ts for enjoying a silent day in Bali

DO

Respect the tradition.  Remember there are a lot of non-Hindus on the island who also respect the tradition. 

Stock up on food.  You don’t need to prepare for the apocalypse but you do need to have enough to get you through the day, meals and some snacks, depending on how many people you’re with.

Buy DVDS.  The TV usually gets shut down and what better way to pass the time than by catching up on your favourite shows or movies you haven’t got around to seeing yet.  DVDs here you can get for about 10,000 rp per disc (about $1 or 50p) and usually you can buy 10 and get two or 3 for free.  

Read or Sunbathe.  If you’re lucky enough to stay in a place with a pool sunbathe, you can go outside in your own garden or villa/hotel complex.  Reading doesn’t make any noise at all. 

Make sure you have enough electric/internet/phone credit before hand.  Ok you might not have many lights on, but your fridge, TV, AC, fans etc all run on electric.  You don’t want to be caught at 7am with your electric down and no way to get any for 23 hours. 

Be home before about 2am.  Ok silent day doesn’t start until 6am but you might get into trouble for being out. 

Try and get out in the night to see the stars.  If you can, I’ve been here for three Nyepi days and never been able to see them in the places I’ve stayed.  I’ve heard it’s quite spectacular if you can see the sky. 

DON’T

Make any loud noise.  Loud TV, Music blarring, getting drunk and rowdy, all big nos.  Enjoy yourself but be respectful. 

Don’t forget to try and board up your windows.  You can get plenty of cardboard cheaply, just try and block that light from getting out especially if you have on a light or TV.  In the dark light can be seen. 

If you’re a smoker don’t forget to get those in too.  Nothing worse than waking up Nyepi morning to no fags. 

Don’t worry if you get sick or have an emergency.  You’re allowed to go out under those conditions.  They will make allowances and help you get to a doctor if you’re in need. 

Don’t forget to go out the night before to see the parade.  It’s quite a sight, and don’t forget your camera!

Don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself.  Get into the spirit and relax your mind and be silent. 

I’ll let you all know how my silent day number 4 goes, and if I get to see any of those stars!

Introductions, formalities, shaking hands.

I thought I’d get the formalities out the way first and foremost. 

I’ve been living in Bali for just over 3 years since November 2010 and I was travelling for a year before that.  I’ve just got back from 6 months back in the UK with my fiancé of two years and whom I live with here in Bali. 

I thought I’d start this blog to tell people the truth about living with a local, living abroad, and being an expat.  Most people think it’s amazing, and to an extent it is, the beaches, the sun, the people you meet and the fun that comes with it! However it does come at a price.  I still have to work here to support myself, unfortunately I’m not a well off person that I can spend my days leisurely at the beach sunning myself all day.  I've still got to wake up at 6am, get ready and go to work for the monotonous 8 hours to make a living and I have a whole set of brand new problems to deal with, from visas to culture issues, to language problems, to religion, food, missing family and being homesick (happens to us all at some point) the list is endless. 

That’s what I’ll be talking about here, the problems, the issues but all the good stuff too. 

 
Now I don’t profess to know everything there is to know about living in Bali, I’m still learning and I learn something new every day but what I do know I wanted to share. 

So I told you I've been here living in Bali seriously for just over three years, three and a half if we’re being picky.  Since November 2010 I've been back in the UK for 7 months, almost 6 with my fiance and just over a month after I was here for 2 years.  

I met my fiance, who we’ll call Danny for now, (please note I will be changing the names of the people in my life to protect their identities) I met him while I was travelling.  

I traveled from September 2009 to August 2010.  I was 21 at the time and travelling with my sister who was 18.  We first went to Thailand then onto Singapore, Bali, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.  Within that year we ended up coming back to Bali twice and pretty much changed every flight we had planned.  We loved Bali so much! 

I wouldn't change anything I've done but I can honestly say visiting a country and being a tourist is so much different to living and working there while trying to adapt to the way of life.  I met Danny on my second visit to Bali.  We had originally met some guys who became close friends and I met Danny through them.  For me it was love at first sight.  I know how corny that sounds, and thinking back it could have been pretty dangerous, you know what they say, all the bad that comes with being from a first world country and then meeting someone from a ‘third world’ it could have turned out horribly.  So My first piece of advice is beware! I was lucky, and I know a number of people who have also been lucky, but the amount of people who unfortunately do get tricked, or used, and that goes for both parties, Indonesians and foreigners can get used just as much as the tourists can.  That being said be brave and take a chance, you just never know. Just keep your wits about you. 

So me and Danny became a couple about 6 months after I arrived here.  We were friends for a long time first, partly because neither of us really wanted a long distance relationship and partly because he had been burned before.  Now we've been together almost 3 years in May and engaged two years in October.  We’re not in a rush to get married, too many people seem to do that here. 

I have worked as an English teacher online for a company here in Bali on and off for three years.  I say on and off because I have left twice to go back to the UK for a few months at a time.  I’ll be talking more about working here at some point. 

Working here has come with its issues, and living with Danny has its issues every day.  I’ll be talking about all of them in up and coming blogs. 

All in all living abroad and being with a local is not for the feint hearted.  You need to be brave, strong and have dedication.  If you’re reading this and you’re in a similar position you’ll know exactly what I mean, if not, I don’t want to deter anyone, go for it, absolutely!

That’s a bit about me for now.  Until next time travelers.