A different Diwali...

I am obviously feeling nostalgic right now. Been talking to folks back in India, wishing them a bright and cheerful Diwali! Yes, I am longing to see beautifully lit homes, elegantly dressed damsels and the whole festive atmosphere. I miss the sweets and the crackers. But it's not so bad. Technology allows me to chat with every1 at no cost. I can still participate in every1's festivities, albeit long-distance.

But then I reach out to the folks here with me. We are only as lonely as we force ourselves to be. So, we go to catch a first day screening of DON at a nearby desi theater. Damn, even SRK is tolerable this far from home! So what if he always overacts? We visit a Ganesh temple marked by a glowing neon sign between a grocery store and a dentist's clinic in a shopping complex! Well, the lord doesn't seem to mind the location... so why should we :). Came back and decided to have home-cooked desi meal. And expert cooks that we are, we served ourselves a lavish meal of plain rice and dal with some delicious mango pickle... and topped it up with a choc ice-cream! Have to say it was one of the better meals I have had since coming here.

I guess we could have easily sulked individually - each one of us calling home, friends and feeling increasingly more helpless after each conversation. But cultural needs are powerful drivers that bring us together in such times. I am glad I spent this Diwali making new friends...