Navratri holiday in incredible India

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The kids and their parents who invited me to celebrate Indian holiday Navarati

I hadn’t planned for to red powder on my white clothes today, in fact I was walking to a Hindi Temple then was invited to join in a passing parade of locals with red powders and lots of music. There was maybe 100 or so of them dancing and singing to extremely loud music, a few of the village men and women invited me to join in dancing.

Later I realized well, I had been powder bombed from head to toe. And the cause was for Navratri,a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga.

I was told that the word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit. So, on the last night typically the tenth day is referred to as Vijayadashami. Today was Vijayadashami?Well it is actually pretty confusing trying to learn about all the religions throughout my travels this year,  but once I get an understanding I think it makes better sense. Here is what I will say, the simplest way to look at it, is we are all human beings fro different parts of the world, and our goal in life is typically all the same, to be happy.

“Diversity in the world is a basic characteristic of human society, and also the key condition for a lively and dynamic world as we see today.” – Hu Jintao, Chinese Statesman

Victory Day on August 30 in Turkey

I woke up this morning to go for a run and came into the square to see this HUGE flag of the nations first president Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the two Turkish flags hanging beside his. The city bursted into red as almost every home and building adorned their nations flag. I was impressed to see such patriotism. It was encouraging and uplifting to see. Bless you Turkey and thank you for the hospitality

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Former President of Turkey

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Former President of Turkey