Wednesday, March 11, 2009

HOLI




i look like a coral reef... or better yet some strange, distorted, distant cousin of a parrot fish yet to be discovered. for three hours i swam the streets of PUSHKAR in a school of other nameless vertabrates. an undulation of color and music was our sustenance. colorful and colorless, we greeted each other with a simple phrase... HAPPY HOLI.
this exultation of spring came after a moon filled evening here in INDIA. streets were overflowing with drummers, dancing men and a variety of digital cameras. at one point a woman broke thru the crowd and began dancing right along side the other men. i thought how bold it was her to stand in that circle, how graceful and salient her movements were. i found it tittilating, bordering on salacious until a traveler sitting next to me pointed out that she was a man. a sari clad man.
the festivities culminated with a prayer, then an offering of merrigolds, holy water and incense to 25 bushels of wheat assembled in the town square. the wheat was then set a flame.
i had been hearing about the HOLI festival since my arrival in INDIA almost one month ago. the festival is a celebration of spring that takes place over 2 days. the full moon hoedown i was telling you about? that's the opening act. at 8 oclock the next morning madness begins. an assualt of colorful powder in every direction. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR ABODE YOU WILL BE ATTACKED. this final day of HOLI is a celebration of spring with color, lots of color. color that doesnt' fade for a week. that is unless you know what the INDIANS know... baby oil before you leave and shaving cream when you return.
i must admit i simply wanted to participate as an observer. i even took refuge in the foyer of a HINDU temple thinking SHIVA would protect me. my efforts were in vain. 5 young men, suspecting my reticence, snuck up behind me and began smearing paint all over my face. i broke the grip of the biggest one, began running down the street, only to have my escape route closed off by 20 teenage INDIANS, who looked like they'd been on the road with THE GRATEFUL DEAD for 6 months. tackled to the ground i was, color stuffed in every orafice. i surrendered. i happily surrendered.

happy holi everyone

17 comments:

  1. Dude, that is nuts. I never got tackled at a Grateful Dead concert, but I fell down a few times from the Acid. THIS is altogether surreal, amazing picture, glad you surrendered.

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  2. cuffs and all... hey buddy. hope that baby doing good.

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  3. That is a pretty amazing story Walton. I would have loved to have been there when it went down. Again you did an amazing job on "Justified"!
    I hope you are well, Paul

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  4. yup, still reading, but feel more like creeping...i must admit I have never seen an episode of The Shield. I don't live under a rock but it takes a lot for me to commit to a show. I fell upon Justified on a night of boredom and complaining there was nothing to watch when a friend suggested I give it a try. Although I would be lying if I didn't say TO is pretty easy on the eyes and at first that was my shallow goal - to find a show I could get hooked on and stare at a handsome lead for an hour but it was you I found fun to watch. Now I have been to all sites WG and am laughing to myself. laughing because I remember how much I loved that episode where you were clogging at some party and now after all this time, finding out you grew up doing that. I always love when you skip, dance or whatever around and act goofy on that show! I am having fun looking at all the celeb pics of you too and that smile just keeps on giving! You always seem so happy. some people are just infectious that way and lucky are those that are among your friends is all I can say. Ok, so this is a bit odd but it seemed odder to write a fan letter since I haven't done that since I was about 12 and I am a wee bit older then you so I had to rule that option out as just plain weird! Maybe you will see these funny posts some day and it will bring a great big smile to that adorable face of yours! not so profound these post of mine - just all in fun! signing off now...(with a smile from me)

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  5. Holi is very famous festival in india which is known as a festival of color.I like this festivals becaose all we get together in one color,Thanks for sharing this check this

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  6. You can give holi wishes to someone by giving them various gifts like shirts, water gun, coffee mug, photo frame, chocolate box and so many things.
    Click to visit for more ideas.

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  7. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work... essay on Holi

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  8. I am Mariam,from what I can read. It has been sad news and scam to everyone about Voodoo casters or so. But to me they are so real because one worked for me not quite long ago.i met this man on a blog his name is Dr Abalaka is a very powerful man.I traveled down to where his shrine his and we both did the ritual and sacrifice.he had no website yet but he promised to create one as costumers are requesting for it, and now i'm free from the powders of sickness.I don't know about you but Voodoo is real;love marriage,finance, job promotion ,lottery Voodoo,poker voodoo,golf Voodoo,Law & Court case Spells,money voodoo,weigh loss voodoo,diabetic voodoo,hypertensive voodoo,high cholesterol voodoo,Trouble in marriage,Barrenness(need a child),Luck, Money Spells,he also cure any cancer and HIV,it's all he does. I used my money to purchase everything he used he never collected a dime from. He told me I can repay him anytime with anything from my heart. Now I don't know how to do that. If you can help or you need his help write him on (dr.abalaka@outlook.com) and also his cell number: 760-935-3804 you can text him because he use to be very busy some times,i believe that your story will change for better,or if you have any question you can contact me here as mariambaurice@gmail.com best of luck.

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  9. Hello Walton. Just finished watching vice principals and loved your acting.. Read a little about you and learnt that you were in India! Like your photography.. I'm also a photographer based in Delhi. Sounds like you spent your Holi in vrindavan or nearby where it is mighty agreesive. It isn't so in other places. If you ever visit India again and Come over to Delhi, I'll show you around.. There's so much more to India. Every area is different in terms of food, culture, language, traditions etc. I'm @twilightfairy on twitter and Instagram.

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  10. Thanks For Sharing Valuable Information with us. If you want to do something exciting on this Holi Celebration Party then these Activities will help you definitely.

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  11. Spread happiness and enjoy with your office colleagues this Holi festive season. Here are the best office Holi celebration ideas to make your festival's celebrations exciting and memorable.

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  12. I really like this blog! You want to organise Holi Celebration Ideas in Office with all the employees, And let me tell you that we organise events and if you want to celebrate your day full of colours. We have brought you ideas for the Colours party at the Workplace. You can find more information by visiting our website

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