I arrived in Jaipur on March 6th not knowing anything about the Holi Festival scheduled for the next day. Everything shuts down so that people can take to the streets and celebrate love. My hotel receptionist recommended I go to the “tourist” festival – and while Indians would not be there, I would get a gist of the festival’s purpose. I went – looked around- and made a beeline towards the exit to find a tuk tuk driver who spoke English. Asked him to take me to the “real” festivals taking place in the city – and here’s where the magic of the travel universe kicks in. He took me down alleys and into neighborhoods where young and old were celebrating where all accepted me into their parties and I got “happy holi!”
