OK, if there is one thing that we all must do at some stage in our lives ... it is coming to Jaipur for Holi. Holi is an Indian festival all about the changing seasons (like all Indian festivals). It represents the first flowering of new plants and hence is the colour festival. And when I say colour I mean COLOUR!
The tradition is that everyone greets each other in a different way. Rather than shake hands you rub dye into the face of your friend or a complete stranger and he or she does the same to you!
Sometimes the colours are bright
And sometimes black!
And it is a time of laughter, fun and not taking life too seriously
While Julie was not there, I could decide who to dance with
And all through the morning everyone is visiting friends, relatives and just being sociable
Photographically it is tricky. The kids have waterpistols and want to soak everybody. There is dust everywhere. And you are being grabbed all the time to have your face smeared!
Dust ... think what this does to your sensor if you do not seal your camera!
But what is fantastic is that there are so many photo opportunities whether it is the old or young!
What else can I say. Well I had soooooooo much fun and know just about anyone with any sense of humanity will really get more out of life just by coming.
Oh yes, did I mention I met the queen of Jaipur?
Julie and I are already planning to run a shutterspeed expedition here next year! It was that good. This is a pretty quick update while I am waiting to travel back to Delhi. What is absolutely true is that I have a big grin on my face! Life sometimes is exceptional.
Adam
Holi in Jaipur - 2 March 2010
