I went to the kite festival in Ahmedebad this past weekend. It was an amazing weekend. I got to catch up with some of the other fellows and witnessed the spectacular celebration that is the kite festival. Hordes of families and friends sit out on their terraces on Saturday and Sunday to battle against their neighbors. The kite string is rubbed with glass, so that fighting can be more strategic and decisive. Winners rejoice and taunt their neighbors. Losers yell back, sometimes giving the finger, but mostly suppressing their anger and resigning on revenge.
I toured Brian's placement at Manav Sadhna. He works next to the Ghandi ashram, so we walked across the grounds that many heroes have walked on. It was inspiring at how open to visitors Manav Sadhna was. Everyone is greeted as a friend, everyone is good here. I met some of his coworkers, and we took off to the children's center that is run by the organization. Manav Sadhna cares for about 5000 children. They feed, educate the kids, and provide programs to help them earn money. We went to the epicenter of where this happens. Swarms of children were finishing up their lessons, while volunteers were bringing in stacks of kites. Everyone was getting a kite to fly in a nearby field. We walked out after the kids and the scene was manic. Children running everywhere, kites being fought over in the skies and on the ground. So many happy faces.
The rest of the weekend was equally heartwarming. We went to three different terraces in the old and new city. We met new friends, flew tukkals (night kites that have candles in them) and generally had a great time. We visited a mosque from the 16th century and toured the Calico Textile Museum. It is hard coming back to reality after such a fun and loving weekend.
I toured Brian's placement at Manav Sadhna. He works next to the Ghandi ashram, so we walked across the grounds that many heroes have walked on. It was inspiring at how open to visitors Manav Sadhna was. Everyone is greeted as a friend, everyone is good here. I met some of his coworkers, and we took off to the children's center that is run by the organization. Manav Sadhna cares for about 5000 children. They feed, educate the kids, and provide programs to help them earn money. We went to the epicenter of where this happens. Swarms of children were finishing up their lessons, while volunteers were bringing in stacks of kites. Everyone was getting a kite to fly in a nearby field. We walked out after the kids and the scene was manic. Children running everywhere, kites being fought over in the skies and on the ground. So many happy faces.
The rest of the weekend was equally heartwarming. We went to three different terraces in the old and new city. We met new friends, flew tukkals (night kites that have candles in them) and generally had a great time. We visited a mosque from the 16th century and toured the Calico Textile Museum. It is hard coming back to reality after such a fun and loving weekend.
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