My Diwali…

So my two days of Diwali were a good time.  On the 28th of October, some boys from my 9th grade class came to bring me some “sweets” and then they took me on a walk around the Air Force quarters where all of the action was happening.  In the pictures below, some are quite hazy and a little out of focus from all of the airborne debris.  Others are shaky because it’s hard to shoot at night time without a flash.  Diwali, to me, ended up being like a mix of our winter holidays (the lights on houses and trees) and the 4th of July.  But in general, people are just in a good mood and looking to have some innocent fun!  I hope you enjoy!

Above: Small oil lamps dot the walls and sills of houses.

Above:  There were so many fireworks popping at all hours of the day, it felt like World War III.

Above: My tour guides through the quarters.

Above and below: Debris clouds the view, but Diwali lights hang from balconies in these apartments.

Above: Two female students join us on our trek for a little while.  This is something of a faux pas as boys and girls are not permitted to congregate, walk, or talk together outside of school, publicly or privately.  They can choose to walk and talk together, but according to my hosts, that would “say something” about the girl and her family (sorry to the women back home who are saying, “Oh, but it doesn’t say anything about the boy?”)  Apparently college is a little more Western.  These two could walk with us because I was there.

Above: More Diwali lights.

Above: A fire cracker spins wildly on the ground.

Above: Two more students out for a Diwali stroll (10th graders).  Naharika, on the left, was one of my girl basketball players.  Her American nickname, “the mouth of the south,” was justly given after working with her on the team for three weeks.  Also, notice that the girls are holding hands.  Boys, girls, men and women will frequently hold hands with each other as a sign of friendship.  And there is no real homophobia! Man is that refreshing!  People just being people without being judged!

Above: Enjoying Diwali!