Although I have been to bali many times, I do have a few questions that hopefully some people can answer;
This trip as we went to go into Kuta Kidz on Bemo Cnr, there was a large ceremony taking place outside, roads were blocked off etc, I noticed a chicken with his head poking out of a bag. I had been reading the book "Fragrant Rice", & remembered sometimes an animal is killed at the end of certain ceremonys. I was very concerned & tried not to look, but as we left the shop, I saw another chicken, & the men were tying sharp blades around their feet, so thought it must have been a cock-fight - I did feel sick, but also reminded myself it is part of their customes & religion - but I would like to know if anyone knows any more details about this.
BEGGERS - A friend, (her father is from Indonesia mother Australian) told me once that the beggers you see, it is their job, they get paid to beg & sometimes the child they are often holding is not even theirs. However, this trip as I walked out of a juice shop (with a drink I did not like) a lady came up to me, remembering what my friend had told me, I said jokingly i didn't have any $, but she could have my drink - she was so quick to take the drink & quickly began giving the child drinks out of the straw, I was so surprised and sad to see this. I thought the bali people have such strong family ties that they would all take care of each other. Thanks