It’s that time of year again… the time when Saint Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland and people around the world dress up in green and drink lots of beer.
And, like a bad Irish Canadian who grew up listening to Celtic pub music and drinking draught, I cringe at the thought of celebrating with thousands of my non-friends by squishing into a city block or pub with a bunch of sweaty, drunk, green people.
My plan was to spend a quiet evening away from the festivities, and perhaps explore a new SV hiking trail by taking an evening run.
As luck would have it (call it the luck of the Irish if you will), I accidentally stumbled upon a group partaking in this year’s Holi festival, which happens to be at the same time as the St. Patrick’s Day this year (very rare).
During Holi, people celebrate the banishment of the Indian demon Holika (evil) by running through the streets and throwing dry paint at each other; it happens on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna, which is the beginning of spring.
My first Holi festival was in 1997 (Orchha, India) and yesterday, when I saw a large group of people running around throwing paint at each other in a park, I knew what was happening and thought I’d quietly pop over for a quick peek and take a couple of pictures.
I didn’t get off too easily. Turns out I had friends at the event and within seconds of entering the gate to the park was doused in paint.
Some would argue that this is worse than sitting in a pub with a bunch of drunk Irish revellers who are singing old Irish folk songs. But, I think it is better. Happy Holi everyone!
