Volleyball tournament

From the 21. March Pinge is hosting a volleyball tournament for a month. It is a first trial for the village community and the excitement grows. A group of 30 musicians practices playing together. The children of Pinge hold flags with the players' names memorizing their positions and moves. Made is preparing his food stand that is located at the entrance. Final adjustments to the bamboo stadium are made and a final sound check is performed. The whole village is moving and everyone seems to participate.

The intention of the hosting is a fund-raising one. The Banjar decided to give it a try and see what will follow. Pinge village is currently renovating one of its main temples and money is needed. The very traditional Balinese community becomes creative and takes initiative. Money made on entrance and food selling are collected for the temple. In addition, KFC and MacDonald coupons will be sold to make some cash. Around 30 teams are participating in the sport event. The winning team can expect a price. How exactly the reward is going to look like is not clear yet.

And so the story begins...

A seemingly hopeless time of doing nothing reaches it's end when I eventually grasp Mr. Djinaldi's e-mail in my google account; "Your room in Pinge will be ready on Wednesday!". Along with this note I received the telephone number of Mr. Made Suardika. Apparently, he is the only person in Pinge with English skills to support my stay. Without hesitating I dial the number to find out that no one is picking up that day! What a pity! The following day I am successful and welcomed to move to Pinge. Having packed my luggage I decide first to have a look at the room before dragging along all my belongings. About two hours later including 10 breaks asking where to go, I reach my study area for the following weeks.

It is 2 pm and Made Suardika greets me with open hands. Full of enthusiasm, we briefly get introduced. I learn that today is a special day for his family, especially his oldest sun, who is going to get married on the 19th of March. Therefore the two families are going to meet at his future wife's house. Everyone is wearing ceremonial outfits; colourful dresses for the women and sarong with shirts for men. Although I had in mind to go together with Made to Denpasar to give away my friend's motorbike and pick up my luggage from Ubud, plans are changing as usual. First I get something to eat, tea with delicious cakes made from Coconut with Palm sugar, and the most natural rice with vegetables I ate so far in Bali. Then, I am dressed with different sarongs, a shirt and somewhat looking like a shall for the head. If it was not for the Balinese language, I could be one of them! The ceremonial meeting starts at 5 and we decide to first attend it, and later go to Ubud to pick up my luggage. Thinking back that just a few hours ago I have been looking for Pinge, I now find myself in a cosy family reunion treated with more sweats and tea. Being overwhelmed with attention and smiles I barely find time to catch a thought. The many new impressions constantly keep my attention while I fall into the tourism gaze. In the evening Made is so kind to take me in his brother's car to Ubud. On the way back it suddenly starts to rain. The wind gets stronger as does the rain. A heavy storm cloud makes us drive almost blindfolded with the velocity of a horse wagon. Somehow enjoying the spectacle and the chance of driving in a car, a moment of scarcity reaches me. Nothing severe, just a tree blocking the street makes us turn around and take a d tour. Completely exhausted I fall into bed dragging along my luggage out of the car.