Holi

Today was Holi, the festival of colours.  The city shuts down and goes all out for this one.  We started the morning by having a "water ballon" - more like plastic bags rolled up with water inside - fight.  We went out on the roof of the house and chucked a billion of these things at people on surrounding roofs.  Chaos ensued and after we were all soaking wet we headed for Durbar Square.

The walk to the square is normally about 30 minutes, but today it was a little longer as we dodged and screamed and were attacked by others playing Holi.  Old ladies will throw buckets of water on you from rooftops, and children will run and smack a bag of water into your back.  No one is safe.

We arrived at the complete mayhem of Durbar Square around noon, and danced it up at the EDM dance party on the steps of the palace.  I even saw one of my students there and it was only slightly awkward.



People started getting a little too grabby and carried away with the coloured powder and we were getting it in our eyes and mouths so we decided to leave the epicentre of madness and hit up a rooftop patio for some drinks.  This was the first really sunny day I've seen here so far.  When it's clear you can see mountains for days.

On the steps of the palace.

Soaking wet (this seems to be a theme) and coloured beyond belief we grabbed a taxi ride to the safety of home.  Even after scrubbing and scrubbing all the colour won't come off.  At least we get to be sparkly for a few days.

Before...

After!

Update:

Also, yesterday a Turkish Airlines flight had a bit of a crash landing at the Kathmandu Tribhuvan airport, causing massive delays and cancellations.  It's the only international airport in the country.  So as we speak, my family is stuck at the airport in Guangzhou, China, until it opens up again.  A few friends on this end also staying here at BaseCamp are stuck here as well.  More mayhem in this place.  Never a dull moment.

And now we wait...