Festival of Colors

One of our favorite places to eat last time we were in Varkala was Cafe del Mar.  They advertised Mexican food which is why we went there first but really the only Mexican food on the menu was an omelet.  We were pleased with the other menu items and this time our hotel, Hillview, just happened to be right behind it.  I spent 95% of time either hanging out at the hotel reading or sitting at the cafe.    : /

The standard - book and breakfast overlooking the ocean :)

This past weekend was Holi, a Hindu celebration of the beginning of Spring.  Unfortunately, we didn't see any celebrations.  Southern India is missing out on all the good holidays (besides Christmas, of course).  Diwali isn't really celebrated here and neither is Holi.  We missed both when we were in Jamnagar too and were hoping to participate in the festivities this time around.  Holi, the Festival of Colors, is celebrated on the last full moon day of the lunar month (Feb or March).  Bonfires are set the night before and the next day many people sing, dance and throw colored powered or water on each other - including strangers. 

Jason always gets emails warning us about any strike, major holiday or threats around the area we are in.  Honeywell sent one out for Holi since it's becoming more popular in Southern India as well.  This is the health concern section they sent him:


-  Health Concerns
Revelers will often throw colored powder at people regardless of their age, gender, or religious affiliation, and the fervor with which many people celebrate Holi can lead to injuries. Traditional Holi colors come from safe, organic substances, but synthetic paints and dyes are commonly used. This practice is damaging to the environment, and many of these substances are extremely toxic and capable of causing a range of serious health problems in humans.   -


That sounds a bit over the top - but they have to warn us, I guess.  And I'm already injured so a little bit of powder and water can't do much harm.  We didn't see any celebrations in Varkala.  Even those, who shall remain anonymous, who stayed out until the very early hours didn't celebrate.  We did on the other hand, encounter a drunk guy at the restaurant all day.  He was there drinking beer when we were eating breakfast and he was still there when we left in the late afternoon.  He was covered in colored powder and kept talking to people who walked by and putting colors on strangers.  After talking to John for a bit, he came over to me and said some prayer over my foot.  I suppose that would be nice except that he was drunk.  It was entertaining to watch him talk to himself and put his hands up towards the water as if he was praying or something.  

We wish we would have seen some type of celebration for Holi since it is the Festival of Colors...but I suppose there is always next year.  We might still be here.. 

John and his pink powder from the drunk guy!