HOLI!

As I sat in the back of the taxi on the way home from work on Tuesday night dodging in and out amongst the traffic I  caught the sight of many a fire burning on the side of the road and groups of people standing around with joyous faces. "Look Sir, Look, many fires" Chodu kept say as we passed one after the other. He was getting quite excited by the fact that 'Holi' was upon us, the festival to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Tonight was called the 'Burning' when the festival begins. Fires are burned as a ritual to send out the old season and tomorrow would be 'Colour' the bringing in of the new season. This was what I was waiting for. Chodu gave me strict instructions to stay in doors for the morning as I could be at risk of getting quite covered. 

"But it'll wash out wont it Chodu?" I asked. "No sir maybe not" he replied. "Oh, okay". I was in to minds as to wether to heed his warning, it's true I wasn't exactly prepared, I didn't have any old clothes on me. But I figured I'd take the chance. Chodu warned me I would hear the noise on the street in the morning and sure enough I would see it.

I awoke the following day to the sound of a somewhat quiet street and very little commotion. A few people were walking past, a rickshaw scooted by and the odd splat of paint was on the road but, other than that the shops were shut and all was relatively quiet. Most confusing. I grab the clothes I had designated to be less worthy than the others and ventured outside. After a short walk around it appeared that I was obviously staying where in a quieter part of town for Holi.

I went back to the hotel had some lunch waited an hour or two then found the gumption to  venture out further, this time taking my camera. Also in the hope that if paint was flying then it will have at least calmed down a little like Chodu said it would. I wandered the streets towards Bandra area and the sea which I figured if I headed roughly west wouldn't be far. The day was very much starting to feel like a summers sunday, the odd person roaming the roads and a few paint splats here and there but all seemed relatively calm.
As I ventured further on through Mumbai's quiet tree-lined avenues I saw the odd group of guys hanging around covered in paint and throwing a few around. I came across one group still throwing paint and dancing around very jovially, so I took the liberty of asking if I could take the picture of them, half expecting to get pelted in paint. They were very obliging and indeed very courteous. They seemed very sure not to cover me in paint in but simply to offer a splodge of paint for my forehead and they all shook my hand and wished me happy Holi.
I travelled further and discovered round this way it was very much the case. Groups of friends or families were sitting in coffee shops chatting and drinking, either covered in paint or not. I guess the more gentrified area where I was strolling was more reserved in there celebrations.  I carried on my stroll to the sea which was further then I thought and not quite where I thought I was going to reach but  I got there at least. On my way I saw an elderly old fellow who looked like his home was the very path where he was sitting and I exchanged a photo for some rupees.
It looked like he had been the target of some thorough paint bombing, absolutely covered in paint. I think it is considered a good blessing to cover those who are worse off than you, Gurus of the like and children. I sat by the front for a while and took in the view, trying to cool down from the afternoon sun. I thought it might be an idea to stroll to Juhu Beach  but a kindly soul informed me that would be a long walk so I decided to stroll back the way I came, if not just to see if I knew the way I came. that in itself was a pleasure, time was not of he essence so I meandered along catching the odd paint throwing incident on the way back. I did notice in particular that it was the young men who were the most covered and most keen to get covered or cover. 

I gained a few more splodges of paint on my cheeks, again, very carefully applied, during my return journey. I then thankfully found my way back, stopping off to watch cricket being played by the kids in the local park. They wee all winning as far as I could tell. All in all I'd been out for a good few hours. My Holi may not have been the ecstatic extravaganza of flying paint and jumping around but it was rewarding enough to share in the small exchanges and best wishes for Holi. It seemed the indian people where I live were going to enjoy Holi but, they were going to make the most of a day off as well.

When I arrived back at the hotel to check for the missile explosions I was convinced I received it seems I got off likely. However the two extra paint smudges I had on my cheeks had all but disappeared from the heavy perspiration, just the very first forehead smudge to show.