At first I was a little disappointed that I might have missed all the festivities. I saw people walking around colored up, but wasn't seeing anyone doing any of the coloring. But I continued on and walked to a little lake/park near where I'm staying. There were a group of people that called out to me hello and I waved and called hello back out to them. I sat on a bench and relaxed in the shade for a bit before a group of teenage boys came around, gave me an uneasy feeling and then started to bug me a little. The smallest and youngest of the group being extremely inappropriate. I kindly said Happy Holi and got up and left. I'm sure I could have easily managed myself if anything happened, but I don't need to stay in a situation where I feel uneasy. God gave us instincts for a reason!
On my way back out of the park, the same group called out hello to me again so I walked over to say hi and take some pictures of them. They had obviously been enjoying the Holi festivities. As I approached they indoctrinated me into Holi. Smearing my face and feet with the colored powder. I can't begin to tell you how happy and welcomed and not alone I felt at that moment. All of them wanted their turn to smear the white girl with the colors. One of the men said this was the best Holi... I'd have to agree.
I left this group and the park and started my way back to the guesthouse. Enjoying the relative peace and quiet from the typical hustle and bustle of Kolkata. The looks I got from the Indians as I walked around with colors all over my face. They look at me funny as it is, but now, a white lady, very obviously not an Indian, looks like she's partaken in a messy fun vibrant festivity! This one older lady had the best reaction I think. She looked like she just witnessed a horrible crime and as I smiled at her, indicating I was pleased with my colors, she burst out with the biggest smile I've ever seen.On the walk back, a group of young men who were presently celebrating Holi approached me and started putting more colors on me.
I felt kind of bad because I had no powder to return the favor. So as I approached a street vendor, who I wanted to take some pictures of, I bought a small bag of green as a gesture of gratitude for allowing me the photos.
This I in turn gave to a young mother and her kid who live on the street of the guest house and were still spraying passer by's. Before she allowed me to give it to her, she took it and proceeded to put more color on my face and in my hair.And then the staff's reaction as I arrived at the guest house covered in all these colors. They were shocked that I'd participated I think. The whole time I've been here, I've kind of kept to myself, staying in my room a lot and sorting thru emotions and what not. I've since cleaned up and still have streaks of pink on my face and green in my hair.
I wouldn't change anything about this day... it's been priceless!
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