Playing holi the day after the wedding

Quiet day on a diet of bananas and coke – feeling better now I have the right pills inside too. Next door neighbours had a wedding yesterday and today all the females in the family came to play Holi with the groom and bride on their roof top, painting one another's faces with coloured powders. The bridal pair departed and then sweet meats were handed around, presents were given out to various relatives. One woman brought coloured plastic sieves, others brought plastic baskets, cloths, fabric handbags and inevitably new saris wrapped in cellophane which were probably unwanted, unopened gifts from a previous wedding doing the rounds again. Sari colours and designs are so personal. After that new mats were put out for everyone to sit on in lines, children put out plates mugs and bowls in front of each woman and then two older women ladled out curry and the children handed out chapattis. When they had had their fill the older women left and the children and servers were given their food in turn. Such a bright and cheerful gathering for me to watch from the neighbouring rooftop. here is a spectator