Celebrate

Last week was Diwali. Festival of lights. Christmas lights on every tree and house, little clay pots full of oils/candles/incense to burn, and the most audible demonstration of the festival of lights was the fireworks. 3 days of non-stop fireworks. Imagine a combination of Christmas, Fourth of July and that holiday where we set out food for a god to come eat while we ring bells and give each other dried fruits and nuts. (I always forget the name of that holiday... Easter?)

I particularly enjoyed the door decorations. In front of almost every house (where there are houses) there were designs in chalk. Some were more extravagant than others. I recently finished reading a historical fiction called "Creation" by Gore Vidal. The narrator/main character of the book lived during the time of the Persian empire under Kings Darius, Xerxes and Artaxerxes. During that time he traveled to India and it was interesting to see from that perspective how little things had changed from then and now.  He mentions the 64 Hindu Arts and so I looked them up and found some of them most entertaining. You have the typical ones that you think of when you think of "accomplished ladies" (almost Jane Austen-y) -- dancing, singing, painting, instrumental music, etc and then some that are very unique. In fact, I think I might start another blog adventure where I take time to try and learn all of the arts. A few that I found particularly interesting include:

• Making decorative floral and grain designs on the floor
• Creating music with water
• Magic and illusions
• Tongue twisters and difficult recitation

You should take a look at the list and tell me which ones you think would be most fun to learn. Wikipedia has a good list you can find here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_art. 

Some pictures for you to enjoy

We bought the pots and found the little statue on the side of the road.

One of the best door decorations I've seen so far, or at least the brightest.

More art.

Most are created like this with white chalk and some flower petals.

Not almond milk, it's cow's milk flavored of almonds.
Tasted like maraschino cherries to me.

The mosque we pass on our way to get food.

One of our house guests.
Unfortunately he was in a hurry and couldn't stay for long.

Just a wild monkey, hanging out on the streets.
Most surprising thing: he was actually eating a banana.

If it weren't $10 I would definitely buy these.
Olives stuffed with pickles, what a perfect combo.

Backpack bigger than the kid.
Tried to get a picture of a smaller kid with a bigger backpack, but he was too fast.