Yesterday was Holi, the festival of colors.  Unlike Diwale and the autumn festivals, it does not have much religious significance.  It is a celebration of the winter harvest and the beginning of spring.  Basically, people buy a bunch of colored powders and throw them around.  The kids on our floor mixed them with water and shot them through squirt guns.  People were riding around on motorcycles throwing the powder as they drove by.  (Given how bright the colors are, it wouldn't surprise me if they contain lead or other heavy metals).  By noon, our apartment building was a colorful mess. 

The rest of the day seemed like any quiet, normal day... I guess my western expectation was that  the festival would be more evening based, especially since I was expecting more of a party atmosphere.  One of the traditional Holi drinks is supposedly a bhang (cannabis) based beverage, but aside from a few beers in the morning, there were no intoxicants of any kind (and supports my theory that they haven't figured out drinking here... starting drinking in the morning, and then stopping by lunch?  I just don't get it.)