Celebration!!!!!!!!!!

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CRASH, BOOM, BANG!!!!!!!!!!  

What the??

KABOOM!!

Then came the drums

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I jumped up from my Yoga practise and ran off the groounds to see what all the commotion was. Just outside the Yoga Center's door was a festival. I moved in for closer inspection. Lights were flashing, fireworks were goinng  off (some a little to close for comfort), and everyone was gathered around a shrine to Shakti. I kept my distance and noticed this idol adorned with powdered dyes, apples, some sort of sugar crystal and nut concoction, and lots of incense. I stood back and watched the excitement, but I was not allowed to stand aside for long.

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"You!"

"huh? me?"

"You come now, dance!"

"Wait, what?"

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Next thing I know I waas pulled into the circle and handed to an old woman in a pink sari with a gold bindi and a salt and pepper braid. She criss-cross grabbed my hands and away we went. Spinning spinning through the crowd of people. Everyone was clapping and cheering. Then we danced, everyone wanted to dance with me. I was a cherry, a lobster, and a flame all at once. So red from the high heat, and they wouldn't let me stop, everyone wanted a turn! One woman gave me her handkerchief which was white with little pink roses, I will keep it always. One man saw how hot I was and pulled me away to his shop where I met his entire family.

These flowers are all over the city right now
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"Maybe I should get back to the Yoga Institute for dinner"

"Dinner you like? You stay we make dinner, yes?"

YES!

"You go now my daughter she put you in Sari"

Me and shakti? We go way back
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OKAY!!

The entire time this onversation went on I had about 30 faces  peering in the shop waiting for me to come back out and dance. After bowing to Shakti I had red dye streaked down my forehead.  Then off I went to an Indian household to be used as an American Barbie doll. They wrapped me up, did my make-up and hair, Gave me a fancy bindi, then served me dinner.

"Dinner you come 9 days, yes?"

Hooray!

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The festival is 10 days long and I have been told it is mandatory that I attend everyday. I got some killer pictures because eveeryone was like "Now photo us katt-ee!!"

Enjoy

Miss Katie