Yesterday was Diwali, the Indian festival of light. I only know this because I worked all day in the candle shop and we had people come in all day either gathering supplies or buying gifts to give. I have little idea of what Diwali is about but from talking with one customer I know they light lots of candles and have sparklers.I was still thinking about this when I came home, as I walked through the complex our flat is in I noticed that one of our neighbours were obviously setting up to have people over for Diwali - they had fairy lights up everywhere and were cleaning furiously. Later that night I could hear the laughter and talking coming from their balcony.
It seems strange that people live so close to us, yet we have nothing to do with them. I wouldn't have thought they were celebrating a festival except that I knew about it from work. People around me have significant days and festivals that I have no idea of.
I'm not exactly sure why I thought about it so much. It all seems so disconnected and fragmented - living within cms of people and yet having no idea what makes them tick.
1 comment:
Here's an expat married to an Indian and living in India writing about Diwali: http://www.whiteindianhousewife.com/2009/10/getting-festive-for-diwali/
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