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Dawn in Bali is heralded by the sound of morning doves and the crowing ofscores of roosters. Quacking ducks are also heard as they are driven out
into the rice paddies for the day. The fragrance of tuberoses wafts from
yesterday's offering tray left beside the door, and geckos (lizards,
considered lucky in Bali) scurry around. The green rice fields are softened by mist which mixes with smoke from the burning of numerous small piles of trash swept up each morning.

Men are already working in the fields. They will work until the sun is high, at late morning. The women are home doing the day's cooking before it is too warm to be in the kitchen. Perhaps they are making black rice pudding for the men to eat on their return- a delectable dish of black rice, palm sugar and coconut milk, cooked with a palm leaf to add a flavor similar to vanilla.

When their cooking is finished, the women place bits of rice and perhaps some meat or tempeh on small palm offering trays, garnish them with fresh flowers, flick some holy water on them, and place them on thresholds at their family's small household shrines and on the curb outside.

Once the sun is high, the men return from the fields. Everyone stays in the shade, patiently waiting out the equatorial sun. After lunch, there is time
for art. Traditionally, Bali's climate and rich volcanic soil has allowed its
natives to grow plenty of food without having to work all day in the field and so woodcarving, painting, music, and dance have thrived here.

Balinese women often spend their afternoons making the palm offering trays they will need for the next day or more elaborate offerings for the next
temple festival, while the children play. Stories are told; laughter is
shared with neighbors. In the late afternoon, as the heat eases, men and
women may go back to the fields to work for several more hours before the sun sets, at six. After the mosquito coils are set to burn, it is time for music
and dancing.