Here we are, celebrating our 3rd New Years Eve! Yes, it's true! Balinese use many different calendar systems, today follows the Pawukon calendar system and the day after tomorrow is 1938! There is a "zero" day, Nyepi, in between New Years Eve and New Years Day.

Tawur Kesanga (the day before Nyepi)
"Exactly one day before Nyepi, all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, the meeting place of demons", the cemeteries. I'm not sure I like the internet explanation, as much as I like the local people's explanation of it: They make these fantastic bamboo creations that symbolize our "demons", the Ogoh-ogoh. Ogoh-0goh comes in all shapes and sizes and look scary with their fangs, bulging eyes and symbolic reflection of our 'dark side'. I am told it's a ceremony in accepting & releasing our demons. Setting them free! At the end of a fantastic parade & dance with the Ogoh-ogohs, they are taken to the community cemeteries and with burning torches, set on fire, out of our lives! A spectacular day to be a witness too. The children and teens were so cute! Lots of laughing, giggles, tired arms from carrying the Ogoh-ogoh. Some were so large & high, the electrical lines were pushed up with clever-aided poles, and traffic jammed and stopped for an hour. It was quite the day!