Fire Crackers

On the way back into Bangalore from a village clinic I understood for the 1st time why Bangalore is the most polluted city in Asia. It had not bothered me before, but coming into Majestic (bus depo area) a gazillion people were trying to get out of the city for the 5 day public holiday ( 2 days Daiwalii followed by the weekend , followed by the fast breaking of Ramadam on Tuesday). Every auto, car, truck, scooter, bike and bus was on the road, the polution was overwhelming.
Each junctions was just chaos with vehicles trying to push their way through. The pleantiful traffic cops in their handsome white uniforms were too busy flagging down affulent looking vehicles to get their bribes to do any taffic direction.
I could say a huge piece on corruption and bribary but I don't feel as a vistor it is really my place to rant on, so I will leave it for now.




Verity, perhaps you can help me out, you're the only Dragonfly expert I know.
The sky was full of these the other day 1000s upon 1000s of them above my flat.

The festival of lights/dreams began yesterday. This is the number one festival in India across the whole country. There are several different meaning to the festival. From celebarting the return of an exilled king to the visit of a friendly deamon.
Basically there is a 2 day holiday where everyone sets of firecrackers.
What I did not know is the neighbours to where I was staying liked to set them off at sunrise right outside my window for a hour.





I managed to restrain myself from going outside and giving them a live demonstration on how to make and use a chelsea brick with the Bangalore Times.

While trying to choose the fireworks I was going to celebrate with I commented to the seller that there was just too much choice. He simply replied



"Do not try and choose the firecrackers
let firecrackers choose you".


I paused and smiled thinking he was a bit odd and turned and immedietly knew what he meant.