Delhi has gone into party and celebration mode. Fireworks, lights, parties, festivities, sweets - it's a hive of activity. Not so long ago there was Dussehra (6 October), this is when (according to my trusty Wiki source), the harvest season begins so the Mother Goddess is invoked to start the new harvest season and reactivate the vigor and fertility of the soil. But here in Delhi they like fire and light so at the outdoor fairs and parades enormous effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka), his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghanad are burnt in the evening. We were attending a wedding so couldn't get amongst it but will mark it down for next year.
The good news for us is that after this celebration summer is also over and it's time to enjoy some winter weather and get ready for Diwali. Of course there is also a negative with this as it is also the time in Delhi where everyone gets sick - coughs, colds, fevers, dengue - you name it someone has it! Good news is that the burning of the effigies (that are also filled with firecrackers containing phosphorus) supposedly purifies the atmosphere. I am not sure whether this is that effective but the air has certainly taken on a lovely smoky feel....
The temperatures are lovely though and Delhi days are hovering around 30/31 for the next 10 days which is very pleasant.
Around this time there is also the very important festival of Oktoberfest! No matter which country you are in everyone is keen to celebrate. So I headed off to the Americans baseball diamond to mark this important occasion. Beer, sausages, salads - it was all very German except perhaps the 80's/90's Top 40 cover band. There was a 'chugging' contest which was won by one incredible sculler..... amazingly fast. There was also a Stein comp, where you had to keep your arm straight holding a stein for as long as possible. Valiant effort by many but no one was ever going to beat the man who apparently can lock his elbow! The hostesses looked amazing.
Unfortunately my husband wasn't here for Oktoberfest, one of his favourite holidays, as he was off representing India in the Gaelic Footy Champs in Korea (of course I hear you say). Sad news is the 'Irish Wolfhounds' didn't win the comp but I think they had a damn fine time trying. There's always next year!!!
Of course it wouldn't be a week here without story of irritation. I went to bank a cheque for my husband today, easy job isn't it? Well I strolled into the bank and gave them the cheque and they refused to bank it as this cheque is made for Tom and my husband is not called Tom, he is called Thomas. But they are the same I said.... Tom Moody is Thomas Moody - the same (always try a cricket analogy). Well apparently not, they are different and I have to get my husband to write a note saying that they are intended for the same person..... I may just never bank these cheques.
Next stop here is Diwali (26 October) and everyone is very excited...... it's time for Diwali bonus, sweets, lights and a bucket load of firecrackers. Delhi is not the place to catch some rest over the next month or so. But what I am most looking forward to is my visitors....... bring it on!!!
The good news for us is that after this celebration summer is also over and it's time to enjoy some winter weather and get ready for Diwali. Of course there is also a negative with this as it is also the time in Delhi where everyone gets sick - coughs, colds, fevers, dengue - you name it someone has it! Good news is that the burning of the effigies (that are also filled with firecrackers containing phosphorus) supposedly purifies the atmosphere. I am not sure whether this is that effective but the air has certainly taken on a lovely smoky feel....
The temperatures are lovely though and Delhi days are hovering around 30/31 for the next 10 days which is very pleasant.
Around this time there is also the very important festival of Oktoberfest! No matter which country you are in everyone is keen to celebrate. So I headed off to the Americans baseball diamond to mark this important occasion. Beer, sausages, salads - it was all very German except perhaps the 80's/90's Top 40 cover band. There was a 'chugging' contest which was won by one incredible sculler..... amazingly fast. There was also a Stein comp, where you had to keep your arm straight holding a stein for as long as possible. Valiant effort by many but no one was ever going to beat the man who apparently can lock his elbow! The hostesses looked amazing.
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| Brilliant outfits! |
Unfortunately my husband wasn't here for Oktoberfest, one of his favourite holidays, as he was off representing India in the Gaelic Footy Champs in Korea (of course I hear you say). Sad news is the 'Irish Wolfhounds' didn't win the comp but I think they had a damn fine time trying. There's always next year!!!
Of course it wouldn't be a week here without story of irritation. I went to bank a cheque for my husband today, easy job isn't it? Well I strolled into the bank and gave them the cheque and they refused to bank it as this cheque is made for Tom and my husband is not called Tom, he is called Thomas. But they are the same I said.... Tom Moody is Thomas Moody - the same (always try a cricket analogy). Well apparently not, they are different and I have to get my husband to write a note saying that they are intended for the same person..... I may just never bank these cheques.
Next stop here is Diwali (26 October) and everyone is very excited...... it's time for Diwali bonus, sweets, lights and a bucket load of firecrackers. Delhi is not the place to catch some rest over the next month or so. But what I am most looking forward to is my visitors....... bring it on!!!
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