Holi

Even the name is cool. A Hindu festival of color.

Holi came at a good time this year for me. I was really needing a holiday of play and fun. And Holi came to the rescue.

Okay, so there are some parts of Holi that are weird and can be not-so-fun. Especially if you're not in the mood. Like if someone pelts you too hard with a water balloon while you're walking down the street and it's the last thing you expect. Or when people smear thikka powder on your teeth in your mouth. Yuck - imbibing toxic power sucks.

BUT - if you are in the mood and just give in to all the craziness, and head just a bit out of the main part of the city, this is one of the best festivals.

Everyone takes off work. Sleeps in, eats rice with their family. Then...it's off to "play Holi". Which entails smearing thikka power on your friend and family's face. Lots of it, as many colors as possible. Throwing it on them. Perhaps - if you go all out- breaking an egg on someone's head.

The best part? After a Nepali gets smashed in the face with tons of powder, they look to their assailant and say, "thank you". That is so Nepali. Yes - it is a blessing to have this kind of love showered upon you on this day. The more friends and relatives you have, the darker your face gets throughout the day.

Once I got over the fact that I wasn't ever going to wear the clothes I had on again and that it didn't matter...it was a day of paint craziness, total fun, and finally - exhaustion. After a long shower.

The streets are generally quite outside of the gangs of young men (mostly) and girls roaming around. Women and children watch all the fun from their windows and balconies - also often joining in. Young, old...all. Lots of music and singing and dancing on porches with neighbors joining in.

I found a great roadside music group who invited me to dance several songs - definitely the highlight of the day for me.

The holiday is a celebration of the defeat of an evil demoness, Holika. But also a celebration of color and Spring.

This is what Nepal does well. Combining ceremony, community, and play. Light and Dark with blurry lines. And even if your friend smashes an egg on your head, laughing it off, and saying, thank you.

Above:

1. Our COSAN team playing Holi in Hetauda

2. On Laxmi's roof in Chaughada

4 Laxmi, Avi, Cassie and friends on the roof

5. Rajesh on his motorbike in the village...roaming (as men here are wont to do)

6. Women in Putalibazaar

7. Elijah's "after" photo. Note the police in the background, who have a much stronger visual presence these days now that the UN Mission has left.