7th March 2012

Holi Mubarak everyone. Geoff has had his long held wish to celebrate Holi in India. Today was the first day: a big bonfire blazed near the fountain, sending orange sizzling sparks into the night air. Even though there is a big open ground nearby, where there are always numerous cricket matches, events etc going on, the carefully constructed Holi fire was lit in the road, at the crossroads, as it is important to send good spirits along open roads. There was a festive, light hearted atmosphere, but the "puja" part, was done reverently.People arrived in their small groups, many with small children in tow, placing the small clay "diva" ( lamp with oil or ghee with a lighted wick) in the centre of flowers and incense sticks offerings, forming a twinkling fragrant circle round the fire. Women, and the occasional man, left their shoes to one side, and circled around the fire three times, dribbling water from a brass pot with a coconut on top, did their "om om" and handed their coconut to be roasted in the fire, to be collected and eaten as a "prashad" (holy food). It's a pity that it's one of the few times we didn't have our camera or phone, because it was a lovely sight. This was a welcome respite after a very frustrating day dealing with more of the administrative state banking system, which drove Savi to screaming pitch, as she went from counter to counter, garnering information which is only given under KGB type questioning. In the end she became a true Indian, using the connections she'd made with the Branch Manager in the Bardoli Branch, who called the big wig in Navsari, and got the transaction done! We were reminded of State industries in the UK, which we all want instead of private, money grabbing private companies, but the people who work in them have attitudes which make you feel as if we are disturbing their God given right to staple pieces of paper and straighten files, viewing customers as fleas to squash. We gave a very robust feedback to the head honcho, who told us they have to follow rules ( that old potato) and that they had millions of rupees from NRIs, etc etc.We felt better for telling him, but doubt if much will change. We managed to get most of what we needed to do, in between these administrative tasks , but have to admit that we are ready to come home now. Savi is really missing the twins, and seeing THE BUMP ( Jayesh and Nicole's baby, due next month) her friends and rest of the family, going to the gym, and seeing the garden come alive. Geoff is looking forward to his cricket, golf and guitar, and of course the tabla that he's bought and shipped over. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Navsari / Holi