Happy Holi Day

Saturday morning we were on the zoo bus and saw a sign for a neighborhood Holi festival of Colours.  I told Ben we had to go since I'd always wanted to see one.  By "always" I mean like a year and a half, since that's the first I'd heard about it.

The Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renews sweet relationships.  People hug and wish each other "Happy Holi".

You dab color/ gulal on the forehead, cheek, arm of another person and 

wish them a Happy Holi.  It may seem weird to some but it was actually a really neat experience.  Not to sound like the Hippy Car on Cars but "There was a lot of love out there".  We are definitely the minority in our neighborhood so it was a fun way to get to know some locals.

Off we go to make some new friends.

 One woman came up to them and said as she dabbed the color on, "This represents that all people are one and can be happy together."  I thought that was lovely.  

Even the little babes get in on the fun and make friends!

Lizzie: "Hey, what's that stuff on your face?  Doesn't your mom clean it off after you eat.  Mine does and I sure hate it.  Your dad has something all over his face too."

Friend: "Must be your first time here.  You have it all over your face too.  By the way, I like the paint splotches* on your dad's face."

*freckles 

Side story: a DOCTOR here actually referred to Ben's freckles as splotches once.  He'd never seen them before. 

Lizzie kept staring at me.  I don't think she quite knew what to make of my new look.

  The kids really get into it.  They were throwing and dancing and having the best time.  It was $3 for the bags of paint and a yummy snack.  Best $3 I've spent in a long time!

I googled Holi Festival when I got home and Utah came up as a search suggestion.  Apparently, the Krishna temple in Spanish Fork has one of the biggest celebrations in the states.  Who knew?!