Holi

On March first was Holi - the festival of colours - which is one of the two biggest anual celebrations in the Indian culture. Since it was a free day and we didn't have to go to work, we used the opportunity to be part of the event. There are several stories around the background of Holi (which, if you are interested, you can all read on wikipedia).
In most cases Holi is a celebration in families and among friends. Unfortunately we did not get invited to celebrate Holi with an Indian family, but we found a way still to be part of it. It might not have been the most traditional way, but it was fun nevertheless.

Actually our preparations for Holi had started one day before already, when we bought cheap clothes.


We still don't know where we actually were, but the taxis brought us there... and well, you will see how we came back. It was in Pune. That's the one thing we know.


When we arrived and the security was convinced that we didn't bring our own colours (we easily could have brought other things... ), we went in and admired this construction. First it disturbed me that there was no shade at all anywhere. But once you notice that the framework on the picture below constantly sprays cold water, you know that it somehow equalizes the burning sun. (at least the way you feel it)


and actually it was nice and refreshing


We already have some colour on us, since we had to use our own colours before we were allowed to enter the area.


Within a few minutes, it was crowded with young people. In the back you can see the DJ, it basically was a huge open air party with music and dancing people.


oh yes, and of course with lots of water ...



... and since it was Holi... obviously with lots of colours!





Hardly any of the visitors were non-Indians, so once more we attracted attention.


and we tried to get our part of the colours as well :)



I'm wearing a really simple white Kurta by the way. Well, it was white before ... and the matching trousers unfortunately were 4 times too big for me.


On the way back, some guys offered to give us a ride and since we were a group of 6, we thought it is not too much of a risk if we agree. They were really nice, not happy with the idea just to drop us of, but once we insisted and also had finished the beer that they bought us (against our will) on the way, we actually arrived at our place. Our driver was "not bad". We left everything and everyone behind us ... bikes, cars, an ambulance, elephants, probably birds and planes too ... it was hard to tell while trying to stay in the open car.


Yes, and we saw an elephant on the street. It is not the first time we saw one, but the first time I had my camera with me. Can you see it? On the bridge slightly behind the white car. ok ok, I was too slow taking out the camera and we were flying pretty fast.


There it is...now look again on the first picture, really! It was one!

Mhmmm, I'm sure I will get a better picture one day :)


We arrived safe and really fast.
(Don't ask how those guys celebrated holi and none of them has any colour on their clothes or faces. I have no idea.)


That's where we live. Shortly before we started to try desperately to get rid of all the colours, since we had to go out for dinner with someone from our company.


However today at work, there were still quite a few colleagues with purple faces and hands, who did not manage to wash away the colours.

It was fun. :)