Float

Always ready for a religious procession. In Trincomalee I had come across a couple of amazing processions, awesome klezmer-like music (I think klezmer has its roots in India), fire, coconuts, offerings, ashes, smoke, and things left outside the houses....giant leaves with rice on them...also in front of a tea store the owner gave out juice boxes and at another procession, ladies bringing out pitchers of a drink they were pouring for float participants and onlookers.

 

Of course I had my camera with me. But ya know what? I just felt kinda funny taking pictures of a religious procession....it seemed beyond rude to me, kind of disgusting. I saw other people doing it and I suppose it didn't matter but I wanted to just be, not necessarily participate, but just be and not take any picture.

 

Well it paid off in a way. A lady poured some of the drink for a kid who ran over to me and told me to drink it. By now the usual laughter all around. I knew it was ok so I drank it down. What do you think it was? Tasted like a tea drink sweetened or maybe with fruit juice added...I couldn't tell...but in it were pieces of onion. Ashok is coming over tonight. I have to ask him what that was!

Done