"Happy Divali....now GET DOWN!"

The last explosion went off maybe 5 minutes ago. Always the same...a bright flash and a massive boom! It's not a war zone though it's Divali, the Hindu festival that celebrates Ram slaying a demon by setting off fireworks even South Carolina would outlaw. We're still in Palolem, Goa....predominatly Christian. I can only imagine how they're kicking off in Deli! It has been another set of wonderful experiences here (hiking down the beach for two hour and forging a river to find a completly empty beach inhabited only by endagered turtles, for one) but we will move on soon. Radka and I are in full on traveler mode at this point having tradded in most of our garments for native attire and nursing several bangs and bruises that come with travel in India. The Kashmiri trincket sellers and the Karnatakan gypsee women don't faze us anymore, cows on the beach seem normal and we're ready for more. It's south to Gokarn next....big time Shanti. Happy Davali!