Summer: Food, Rain, Fun, Sun

Mood: Peaceful

Had a nice time at the Rathayatra Festival - me and my cousins were given big flags and we waved at the tourists in the open top buses and the people on the streets as we walked down the roads from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square chanting the Maha Mantra the whole way (Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare).

My family got all split up but at least we were in pairs so we wouldn't be lost alone. We got to Trafalgar Square and managed to enter the Prasadam Tent (where the free blessed food would be handed out), just as it began to rain. It started pouring it down and even though we were in the tent I still got soaked by a leak in the roof!!!

We soon realised that one of my cousins and my aunt we missing and we tried to see if they we nearby. Eventually, me and my younger cousin went out in the rain to look for them and found my aunt taking shelter in another tent. My cousin, meanwhile, was out in the rain dancing and chanting to the religious music! My younger cousin went back to tell the rest of the family we had been found and I tried to lead them back to where the rest of the family was.

Now you'd think that this would be the end of it - but when we got back to the food tent - we couldn't see our family there - so then my cousin (the one who was dancing in the rain) decides to go back to where she was before to look if our family went there.

But as soon as she leaves - I notice that my family hasn't left - they were just hidden in the large crowd. So then my aunt decides to go up to them and I tell her that I'll wait her for my cousin. A long time passes and still the cousin is nowhere to be seen - I start to get anxious especially because I am being told to move out of the way. I think about going out to find her but then conclude that it is better for me to stay where I am. Luckily, my younger cousin appears and says that my cousin is with the rest of the family! So I had been standing there for ages for nothing!!

Anyway, now that everyone has been found, we decide to line up for Prasadam - well we kind of push in by finding my family at the front of the queue ;). The food was delicious and warm - good when you are completely soaked and cold. We had potato, aubergine and paneer curry with rice and a strawberry semolina Halwa (seero) Yum!

Overall, it was a great day even though it rained!

Btw when we got back we tried to get our free tickets for The Ladykillers - and they had run out - from TWO cinemas !!! I didn't know it was that good!?!

Anyway, looking forward to seeing Derren Brown show tomorrow. Have applied to a Women in Leadership Event for Friday - I hope I get invited. Plus - only TWO WEEKS until we fly to Sri Lanka Yay!