Indonesia - Day 12 - May 12, 2011

Day 12 -- May 12
Location: Bandung, Java

One of the best days yet !!!
We spent the whole day in Sumedang, which is 2-3 hours out of Bandung. The bus ride was just beautiful -- in the mountains with views to die for.


Out first stop and base for the day was  the cultural center for this area. We were greeted with snacks and water.


There were three traditional dance performances, with the dancers in full costume -- and of course the opportunity to get up and dance with the performers. They seem to enjoy getting us out on the dance floor after their performances.



One of the dances depiciting good v. evil.



After the three dances, we were treated to the "dancing horses" -- Andy, you wouldn't believe it !! They had two horses performing (with handlers on the ground)  with live music on traditional instruments setting the cadence. They also did a bunch of "acts/tricks" with the handler laying on the ground and the horse standing over and ON him -- all very controlled and quite remarkable. That segment was followed by a lot of rearing and prancing all very tightly controlled.  I only have about 100 photos of it :).



Dancing Horses at Sumedang Cultural Center





The horse did not appear happy about this segment.





This part of the show was pretty action-packed!
Lots of movement and energy.



After lunch we continued through the mountains to a rice field -- wonderful photo opportunities of people hand-picking the rice and a water buffalo pulling a plow. It was a special treat to be able to walk right out into the rice field for close-ups. There were a lot of locals hanging out at the rice field and that turned into a fun photo shoot too. Everybody wants their picture taken with an American -- it's really cute -- kids, adults, teens and families. Its really funny to be such a hot commodity.



What a scene! We walked out into the rice field and had a chance to see everything up close.






 Dewi offered to take those interested on a walk to a wooden bridge, which was nearby. Best move of the day. The bridge was very kool -- made of bamboo, but even kooler was an unplanned invitation to visit the village on the other side of the river.



Well worn, but quite sturdy.
Used for foot traffic, as well as bikes and motor bikes.



 By the time we had walked about 10 minutes into and around the village, word got out that foreigners were visiting. They instantly set up chairs in a gathering area for their visitors and musicians materialized, followed by young girls dancing -- just wearing their street clothes. Most of village gathered around us -- about 200 in the village -- and other people started dancing/performing too. Talk about photo opps! It was so much fun. I sure wouldn't want to live there, but it was a truly special visit -- we were all so thrilled to have this glimpse into village life.



The first act in the impromtu performance.





What a wonderful face!
This is one of my favorite photos from the entire trip.

  


It was so much fun watching the children. For many we were likely the first "white folks" they'd ever seen. Again, the requests for being photographed with the Indonesian kids, especially teens, was huge and fun. The younger kids were curious about us, but more shy. Adults thought it special to have their children photographed with us -- we felt just like movie stars.

After an hour + we headed back to the bus and went back to the cultural center for dinner.




"The boys" followed us all day and entertained us at dinner.

 Lunch and dinner today was provided by the local Sudanese Department of Tourism.  Once again, we were treated like royalty with entertainment, a feast, officials giving speeches, etc.

Now, after a couple hours of bouncing around, we are back to Bandung.
What cultural exchange today has been.
I will sleep well tonight.