Purgation day. Not a day to report the details, but took the pills at 6:30 AM went for a half an hour. Then the wait began. No breakfast, only hot water. I am to drink hot water every 20 minutes. The purgation went fine, and was done before lunch . After lunch unfortunately it started again till 3 pm. I took rehydration powder. Feeling weak, I slept. 4:30 APM I went for a walk. I stumbled upon the third day of a Hindu Festival, worshipping a female God but I can't remember the name. The shrine was bedecked with flowers, and lit, and highly decorated. Good for the eyes. As I arrived, the men were involved in rope pulling ( or tug of war, as we call it in elementary school ). Here it is men only. I participated twice!! I was asked again, but declined as I didn't want to get hurt when everyone falls down!! This to the accompaniment of a row of drums, beating furiously. Did I tell you this all took place on the road side and partly ON the road. Cars slowed to a stop as people were all over the road. It was a big competition. Then I went up to the shrine area and they had a fire pit. Apparently there had been fire walking at 3pm which I missed. They arranged chairs around the rectangular fire pit. Loud music played and the women only did the musical chairs for prizes. Everyone was sitting around. One man was holding a gorgeous little girl in a cute yellow dress. He asked me to hold here, and he took pics of me. There were many many pics taken, some guys wanted a pic with my hat on!! Some of the men wore dhotis, long white or coloured traditional wrap arounds to their feet. They insisted on showing me how they were fitted with pockets velcro etc
I was weak from the purgation, and wanted to go but was persuaded to stay and watch the prizes being awarded. Most of the prizes were stainless steel mugs or plates. I was ushered to the front, and asked to award the main plaque, the big prize to the men't rope pulling. CHEERS, and whistles. Drumming!! I am so sorry but I didn't expect to see all this and left my phone camera behind!! Above the road were many strings of leaves, mango leaves I think, that are always hung over the road for a festival. Hindus worship many gods. It was an experience I won't forget. You get treated like a celebrity, being the only white face. Everyone wants to shake your hand. The kids were dancing madly especially boys joined in with the men. All fun. Thanks for checking in.
I was weak from the purgation, and wanted to go but was persuaded to stay and watch the prizes being awarded. Most of the prizes were stainless steel mugs or plates. I was ushered to the front, and asked to award the main plaque, the big prize to the men't rope pulling. CHEERS, and whistles. Drumming!! I am so sorry but I didn't expect to see all this and left my phone camera behind!! Above the road were many strings of leaves, mango leaves I think, that are always hung over the road for a festival. Hindus worship many gods. It was an experience I won't forget. You get treated like a celebrity, being the only white face. Everyone wants to shake your hand. The kids were dancing madly especially boys joined in with the men. All fun. Thanks for checking in.
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