End of Celebration -- Jan 27

It's one of those days that the weather is uncertain. The colour of the clouds provide a subtle hint of rain. The humidity level is high, and the temperature is matching it. At the same time, it's bright.  Who knows whether it will rain on my chosen path.

I set out to Jatiluwih, knowing it would be the last day to make the hour long trek up through the rice terraces. For some reason, there was no spring in my step. By the time I was a third of the way up, I was fairly sure I wouldn't make it the whole way.

The lure of food, and of bragging rights, kept me going. I was pretty sure that one reason for my sluggishness was lack of food. I couldn't face another breakfast of rice, so I ate some peanuts. Not enough peanuts.

If I made it to the top, I could have a chicken burger. If I gave up, it was rice for me.

Also, it's an extraordinarily beautiful walk that I will miss. I wanted to drink it in.

The rose bush on the side of one paddy isn't in bloom yet. I'll never know its variety. The cows were all accounted for in the sheds that dot the terraces. The dog that barks to keep me away from her pups was on guard. Hardly anyone was on a motorbike on my upward journey.

There was also a lot of wind today. No gentle breezes. Full fledged wind.

Not many tourists til the end flat stretch. There have been a lot of Russians in the past few days.

I made it, and enjoyed every bite of my chicken burger. I feel like such an entitled prima dona every time I whine about having rice three times a day. It's absurd to have the opportunities that I have, and to complain about something as mundane as the menu.

On the way back, I stopped at one of the check points to chat with my host and his brother in law, the head of temple security. Every time I see the head, I think about the Jack Sparrow look that he has going. They debuted new uniforms at the Celebration, and they include headgear that looks a bit like a three cornered hat without actually being one. Incorporated into the traditional headband cap was a triangular scarf. With his goatee, flowing hair and twinkling dark eyes, I can only see Jack Sparrow.

I managed not to gawk, and to engage in friendly banter. Things are obviously winding down after two and a half days of celebration. No one has fallen in the mud or on the moss covered sidewalks (four falls in the first day’s rains). No one is lost or missing their child. Traffic is down to a trickle.

I didn't go into the temple today. Walking by, there were fewer people I. The kitchen, and hardly anyone in the parking lot. The market stalls set up outside the gates were empty of both merchandise and customers. Inside, priests were using microphones.  Perhaps their voices were waning, perhaps they decided to try it out.

The best part of my chat with the security guards -- they snagged me a ride for the final 600 meters, down one hill and up the next. Phew.

For the remainder of the afternoon, I've read one of the books that I downloaded from iTunes. Yet another reason for my walk to Jatiluwih today.

Oh, and I got there and back without any rain.