We were on our way back to Ubud. Made Mangku had stopped to gift us with another incredible view of rice terraces. We took our photos, ooo’d and aaah’d and were returning to the car when, across the road, a sarong vendor spotted us. The last thing I need right now is another sarong so I asked her in my best pidgin Indonesian if I could take her photo. She immediately went into a sort of sarong ballet, whipping a bright pink one off the stack on her head and winding it around her ample middle.
After the photogenic pose she sashayed toward our little group saying, “Nice photo…now you buy!” Terri, Barbara, and Sharon had that look of, “Oh no…here we go again.” Our trip to Besakih, the Mother Temple, had been well populated with many opportunities to purchase the handicrafts of Bali, and my friends are not overly fond of negotiating. But there was something in that impish face…and I decided there was nothing I needed MORE than a sarong from this engaging woman. So it began…
She handed me the pink one and I quickly made her understand that pink was NOT my color. Then the stack of them came down off her head and we went at it.
This is my 9th sarong. Two of them turned into beautiful pillow covers. One is now a pair of wild pants. The rest give me many choices when ceremonial dress is in order. But for sheer, dramatic delight, this one is my all time favorite!
Note: The white stuff on my forehead is rice. We were allowed to participate in a Hindu prayer ritual at the Mother Temple. It is a complex process, but at one point sticky rice is affixed to the middle of the forehead. Mine really stuck!
Lottie Nevin
Feb 23, 2013 @ 04:00:46
LOVED this post Sherry! A girl can never have too many sarongs. I use mine as night attire now that Irishman has forbidden me ever to wear dastahs again 😛
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writingforselfdiscovery
Feb 23, 2013 @ 04:34:25
So help me, Lottie! I’ve tried every trick of knotting and wrapping imagineable and I can’t make two meters of cloth into night attire! I’ve even cheated with safety pins to no avail. When you’re in town how about a lesson…?
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Lottie Nevin
Feb 23, 2013 @ 04:36:24
I just wrap it round me…..I’m so fat now that 2 metres is barely enough – heavens you are so damn skinny that you could make 2 wraps for the price of 1 !!
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writingforselfdiscovery
Feb 23, 2013 @ 04:38:51
You “just wrap it around…!” I’m not buying it. I still want a demonstration.
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Lottie Nevin
Feb 23, 2013 @ 04:40:16
Ha!!!!!! Demo coming up in March! 😛
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writingforselfdiscovery
Feb 23, 2013 @ 04:47:49
Can’t wait!
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Sharon
Feb 23, 2013 @ 09:45:15
It was the funniest thing that happened all week. A movie would have been better but glad I got as much of it as I did. Needed the sounds however….they were hysterical. You both were a match for one another and having such a great time. You only think you won, Sherry!! Her look said otherwise.
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writingforselfdiscovery
Feb 23, 2013 @ 09:53:01
Isn’t that the truth!
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gigicullins
Feb 23, 2013 @ 11:43:16
Loved this story, Sherry!! And, the pictures made it perfect! I almost felt like I was there!!
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writingforselfdiscovery
Feb 23, 2013 @ 16:47:02
I know the fact that I was wearing my sarong, kebaya, and CORSET, and had rice on my forehead, and spoke a little Indonesian, all worked in my favor!
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Barb Garland
Feb 23, 2013 @ 17:09:21
so grateful to have this delightful exchange xoxo
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writingforselfdiscovery
Feb 23, 2013 @ 17:10:39
Me too!
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toemailer
Apr 18, 2013 @ 11:12:32
We would love to post the top picture at toemail if you do not mind? http://toemail.wordpress.com
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writingforselfdiscovery
Apr 18, 2013 @ 11:31:26
Go for it.
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toemailer
Apr 22, 2013 @ 18:33:32
It’s posted now. Thanks so much, we really appreciate it! 🙂
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writingforselfdiscovery
Apr 23, 2013 @ 08:11:58
You’re welcome, thanks for adding it to your blog!
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