Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Super Sand Storm, Batman!

Smog and haze are relatively normal in Bombay, so this morning when the air was thick, I didn't think much about it.  We did discuss a  difference in the sun this morning.  Usually, the sun is a flaming orange ball on the horizon as we drive east toward Bandra Kurla Complex.  Today, it sparkled like a silver coin at the bottom of a fountain.

By the time we head home from school at the end of the day, the haze has typically been blown away with breezes off of the Arabian Sea.  There might be some upper level smog, or some smoke from fires burning in the slums.   But normally, we ride home with a blue sky above and sunshine warming us through the windows of the school van.

Today was such a different story!  All of the teachers on the 4:10 van were abuzz with talk of how dusty, hazy, polluted, smoky, (fill in your adjective of choice) the air quality was at the end of the day.  I even asked one of the teachers who has been here longer if this was normal and she said she had never seen the smog this bad.

As the van exited the Western Expressway to turn onto Reclaimation Road, you would normally see the Worli Sea Link  ahead and many high rise buildings across the bay.  Here's what you saw today:




When I got home, I was talking to Rick about it, so we went up on our rooftop to check out our visibility.  We could scarcely see Carter Road, which is just about 2 blocks from out house!

Later in the afternoon we found out what was really going on!  It wasn't simply Bombay pollution cluttering up the air, but rather what meteorologists are calling a "super sandstorm."  The storm originated in Saudi Arabia and spawned a plume of dust that stretches from Oman (across the Arabian Sea) all the way to India.    Have a look---


Thus far, the only effects we have felt have been a tickle in our throats and headaches.  Hopefully, the air will be a little clearer in the morning.  If not, Sand Storm Day, anyone?

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Holi Mubakar!

Last year, when Tully was doing his research project for REACH, he learned about a holiday he would celebrate in India called Holi.  He learned that during this holiday people throw colored powders at one another and squirt each other with water guns.  Holi celebrates the end of the winter season and welcomes spring with colors, drumming, dancing and bonfires.
Before the fun  begins
Today, we experienced Holi.  One of my friends, Payal, extended an invitation to the faculty of ASB to come to a Holi party at her building.  It is safer to go to a party than just to play out in the street.  Most businesses are closed today and we noticed on our way to Payal's that we saw mostly men outside.  I guess it can get pretty crazy, so women tend to stay off the street and only play if their neighborhood has a party.
Payal and Manesh, our hosts
Once we arrived at Beau Monde, we were greeted by Payal and Manesh.  Tully took off immediately!  He was ready to play in the colors!  I needed to watch for just a bit and see what this looked like.  Many were dressed all in white, most were armed with a squirt gun, a bag of colored powder or both!  There were 55 gallon drums of water lining the lane and a couple of blow-up swimming pools all filled to the brim. Loud Indian music blasted from speakers set up in the "safe zone" and men were drumming along to the beat.
Angelo dancing to the beat of an Indian drum
 People of all ages were participating in the fun.  I decided to start with a bright pink color and joined the fun.  After taking a few pictures on the "safe" side of the barrier, I entered the play zone.  Several of my students were there and had seen me taking photos and were waiting for me.  I didn't have to wait long before I was wished Happy Holi with a spot of color to my forehead and the boys from school drenched me!
My welcoming party!
And so it went.  Time slipped away while I rubbed a rainbow of colors on faces and attempted to defend myself with a single shot squirt gun!  It was fun to play with students, teachers and parents from school in such an uninhibited setting.  The kids loved bombarding their teachers with colors and drenching them with squirt guns and buckets full of water!

On Holi, no one is a stranger.  One can anoint another with color, spray, splash or dunk with water, laugh and dance. There is no celebration or ceremony from the US with which to compare this wonderful holiday.  The best I can do is this simple explanation and a few pictures.



Thank you, Rachel Wixson, for this fantastic shot!
Holi Mubakar!