November 13, 2007
Last Thursday was Diwali, the Festival of Light. We were really excited, mostly because it's the only Indian holiday we knew about before arriving, but also because it sounds so nice. Traditionally, there are lots of oil lamps and candles lit, and now that electricity graces the world, strings of lights, usually white, are hung on buildings. It sounds so pleasant.
Apparently, however, electricity isn't the only thing to have changed how Diwali is celebrated. Firecrackers have made inroads, too. Instead of wandering around in the evening, admiring all of the lights in windows, we sprinted back to the hotel, covering our ears, as kids lit little bombs, the sole purpose of which appeared to be to deafen everyone within 20 feet. Imagine bangs loud enough to shake walls and make plaster crumble, going off every few seconds and you'll have an idea of what it was like. So, having confirmed that I've joined the old fogeys' club, it makes me glad we've missed the last several July 4th celebrations.
