Holy Day

It's Good Friday, the first Holy Week and Easter Sunday that I have missed and will be missing for the 1st time.

I was talking to a friend who works overseas online yesterday that I might not be even able to do my fast and abstinence here. There's always a saying in church that if you're on a holiday or overseas, don't let these little things bug/bog you and do what you were supposed to do there.

True enough for a consolation. By right, I'm supposed to be on my return journey from Phakding to Lukla, the last day of trek back from EBC. Here I am, stuck in Kathmandu, waiting for the rest to return. I'm supposed to be enjoying, having fun, eating and merrying. I was actually asking myself the whole week, would I be able to make it through on Friday? So far I have. I've started it and I'm going to see it through till it ends. I've had enough luxury this week, eating whenever I want, shopping... I don't think it's difficult for me to follow through this Good Friday tradition today.

Then again, my friend brought up the issue that it's not all about fasting. It's also about the sacrifices that you put yourself through. Well, to tell the truth, this week has been really hard. It's been patience-testing and learning how to care and 'love' somebody who is a pain in the neck. Pardon my un-Christian comment. Seriously, it has been almost 2 frustrating weeks. Maybe that's my trial for this Lent. All bottled into 10 days. Truthfully, I've not been preparing myself for Easter this Lent. First was CNY, then work and the trip here... I can't believe that Lent just whisked through and it's Easter! Where have I placed Him during these 40 days? The answer would be disappointing. I'm sorry...

It's also a holy day here in Kathmandu, a time of celebration. It's public holiday, shops are closed and people are walking all over on the streets pouring water and colouring each other on the road. Me? I prefer to keep myself as an observer and took pictures of the festival instead. People are shouting 'Happy Holy' as they walked through the streets in Thamel. If you don't know what's happening, you might just think the city has gone berzerked! The people starting celebrating the festival 2 days earlier where they started to throw water bags at tourists and yesterday was the big built up to today. Tourist who didn't like it were cursing and swearing at the locals who threw water bags at them. Grouchy and angry faces were reciprocated. Of course, there are also tourists who happily join in the fun.

The team will be back tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing them. Maybe they are also throwing water and colours at each other in Lukla.