Hindu Temple Site

Preview of Annasidou's blog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/annasidou/se_asia_2006/1151164200/tpod.html This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Entry from: Yogyakarta, Indonesia Entry Title: "Falling for the temples (literally)" Entry: "First day of our art history class and we crammed in visits to several temples. In Indonesia, the word for temple is 'candi' (pronounced CHAndi), both Hindu and Buddhist. Since our focus is on the temples of central Java, most were built between the 7th and 9th centuries. And not only is it interesting and relevant to note the cross-over in the lexicon, but also in the various motifs, styles, and layered meanings of the carvings and building techniques. Being the total klutz that I am - we were at Plaosan (a Buddhist candi) no more that 3 minutes before I fell off a rock, cut my foot open, bruised a rib, and scraped my arm and both legs. How is that for a bad omen... But don't worry, I am doing much better now. In the past year, archaeologists working on Plaosan reconstructed a platform of Buddhas and Bohdisatwas. We we all sitting along the wall in between the beautifully carved figures listening to the Muslim call to prayer resonate through the surrounding villages. It was at that moment I really appreciated the many layers engrained in the Javanese culture. Spirituality, obviously - but also the languages, the trditions, and the hidden meanings in everything. We also visited Candi Sambasari - which is a mini version of a Hindu temple. About 20 years ago, a man was plowing in his field and accidentally discovered it. There were also local kids playing amongst the ruins. And again, got me thinking. America is such a young place. You never read about farmers uncovering lost miniature temples in their backyards, or grow up with 8th century religious sites as your playgrounds... And since I don't have much else to say, I will now take the time to go back to a topic I mentioned the other day: what is considered "clean" in Indonesia. I'm not sure how many of you were aware that the majority of people in Asia use "squat" toilets. They have a point, they are much more sanitary because you don't have to worry about sitting in someone else's "stuff." And squatting, rather that sitting, is a much more natural way to go to the bathroom. Fine, I can jive with that - a little tricky at first, but now I actually prefer them. What I can't seem to get the hang of is the hose squirter thing instead of toilet paper. You see, in Java, wet equals clean. Javanese pride themselves on their frequnet bathing and restrooms are generally very wet places. And I mean, VERY wet. They also don't use "Western" bathtubs or showers. There is a tub-like thing with usually a dipper and the prefered method is to splash water on yourself to wash. Far too messy for my mind that has been conditioned to believe that dry is best. I have been adventurous, to an extent, and have gone #1 in some pretty nasty places with no trouble, but I still always carry my own toilet paper. #2 I reserve for back in my hotel room where I am within my comfort zone with a sit-down toilet." Read and see more at: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/annasidou/se_asia_2006/1151164200/tpod.html Photos from this trip: 1. "- Plaosan" 2. "- Guardian" 3. "- Relief" 4. "- Bodhisatwa" 5. "- We're Buddhas!" 6. "- Tent Village" 7. "- Sambasari" 8. "- Candi Sari" 9. "- Candi Kalasan" See this TripWow and more at http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00cf-c6ac-03a6?ytv4=1