In the West, the weekend is for rest. In India, the festival is for recharging . It is a massive, loud, sensory overload of flowers, crackers, and food.

It is loud. It is spicy. And honestly? There is no place else I would rather be.

In a modern Indian metro apartment, you might find a 70-year-old grandmother teaching her 5-year-old grandson Vedic math on an iPad, while the parents are at work. The "nosy neighbor" is often the safety net who waters your plants when you travel.