Warzone

I am currently sitting in my bedroom listening to the warzone of firecrackers sound around, amazed that Silas actually fell asleep and praying that he stays asleep tonight.  Today is Diwali- the Hindu festival of lights- triumph of good over evil- a day of good fortune.  The festivities are a cross between Christmas and the 4th of July- pretty lights hung on houses, candles, exchange of gifts and sweets, big sales, plus lots and lots of fire crackers.  Some of the fire crackers are a pretty display of colored light, but most of them are just loud- and relentless. 
    But Diwali isn't just about lights and noise, it is about worship- honoring the goddess Laxmi and other gods.  It is about spiritual and physical renewal.  Most people I have met here are not really very spiritual- they go through the motions of spirituality because it is part of their culture- part of their identity, but they have no real relationship with their religion- no relationship with their god.   

Engagement Party

Last night we went to an engagement party for a friend of mine.  The Bride (my friend) is from a somewhat poor family and they are all believers.  The groom was an orphan from a Buddhist background who was taken in by some Americans living in the area when he was a boy.  They raised him, along with many other orphans, and he is now a believer as well.  It was really a blessing to be able to attend this ceremony and experience such a meaningful tradition that was a mix of both Indian tradition and Christian.
      Once the girl and boy were seated, there was prayer and singing songs of praise.  Then the American father of the groom gave a blessing and message about the meaning of the occasion and the commitment that is being made.  I was really thankful that this was in English and then translated into Hindi so that I could understand.  The purpose of the ceremony is to bring two families together- for the family members to celebrate the engagement and get to know one another, as two families are bing joined together.  The message was a really good word on what true love is, and the father used scripture and the example of God's love for us.  I know the hindu family sitting next to me has been having marital problems and I think this was certainly a good word for them, but also a good reminder for me as it is so easy to seek my own good in marriage instead of my husband's. 

After this, the family of the Bride to be lined up in front of her and the family of the groom to be lined up in front of him and the father of the g2b asked the family for their daughter.  Then the couple came forward and there was an exchange of rings and a word of commitment on the part of both families and the couple.  Then the families exchanged gifts with one another. 

The bride 2 be is in turqoise and the g2b is off to the side (people kept standing in front of me so I couldn't get a good picture)

After the family exchange of gifts, other people brought gifts up to the couple and greeted them.  Then a large dinner of fried rice, fried bread, paneer, chickpeas, chicken, and mixed vegetables was served. 
It would be fun to do this when our children get married!

   

Dusheraa

This man is selling some kind of pickled vegetables.

Yesterday when I was walking around on my language route there were many families out all walking to the same place.  My friend told me that everyone was going to the parade ground for the Dushera festivities and recommended that I get JP and Silas and go as well.  So, we did.  Dushera is a celebration of the the triumph of good over evil when Ram defeated Ravana and his sons in order to win back his wife Sita who had been kidnapped and taken to the Island of Lanka. 

A woman dressed like the goddess Kali is collecting money from the crowds of people

Many vendors were taking advantage of the masses, selling trinkets for children like masks, balls, noise makers...

Replicas of Ravana and two of his sons.  At 5:30 there was a reinactment of the battle and the large statues were set on fire (we didn't stay for this event).

Another vendor sells colorful bangles.  These are worn everyday, but even more so for festivals.

Playing in the Bucket

Silas's favorite activity it taking things out.  Whether it is clothes from the laundry bucket, bowls from the drawer, tupperware from the cabinet, books from the shelf, Silas loves to take things out.  He is quite and explorer and is always looking for something new and forbidden.

Some Long overdue Pictures

We had spinach paneer one night for dinner and Silas had a lot of fun putting spinach specks all over his face and in his hair.  Self-feeding is messy but lots of fun!

As I am normally the one behind the camera, Silas and I rarely have our pictures taken together.  I thought this one turned out pretty well. 

Silas loves to scrunch up his nose and put on an intimidating face- here is a side view from our trip up the mountain.

Silas now proudly sports 4 teeth, though it is difficult to get a picture where you can see all of them.  Daddy had to coax Silas to smile for me.

Unfortunately Silas was looking at the other camera, but otherwise a good picture.

So, can you guess what snow capped mountain range is peaking up over the clouds? We were blessed to be there on a clear morning so that we could get a view of Himalayas.