Festival of lights - The topic of what was being celebrated is complex, but Diwali is a big deal for business and temple in the Hindu world.  There was a flurry of pre-Diwali buying that could well compete with pre-Christmas shopping and the amount spent on gifts carried great significance.  Where in the west businesses might send clients cards, here there was a great deal of gift giving from business to client.  The piles of chocolate piled up outside all the little shops was incredible.  It all disappeared so I am assuming it didn't get stuck in some corner of the shops for storage, but instead went to delight many.

The hotel did a phenomenal job decorating with lights (little candles) and intricate floor designs made with flowers, petals and coloured rice.  The large one at the hotel entrance took 12 people 6 hours and they only left it out for two days before it was replaced with a newer, less intricate pattern.  The long corridor/cloister walk down to our block of suites had a different floor decoration on each side of each door.

After dark all the candles were lit and the Aman looked like fairy land.  We got a surprise ring at the door and were presented with a small plate of sweets with candle lit and a couple of environmentally friendly sparklers.  The excitement with all the fireworks over Diwali leaves Delhi absolutely blanketed in smoke and the mayor of Delhi, Mrs.Dickshit (Dix-it) appealed "My dear little friends" please don't celebrate Diwali with fireworks.  I am not sure sure how many of her dear little friends responded to her pleas, but the Aman was respectful. The city, however, was wreathed in smoke as we headed to the airport the next morning. :)

It was rather tricky business, but we tried to give small monetary gifts to the staff who had particularly helped us and of course, we couldn't even tell which of them actually celebrated Diwali (except for those with little red string bracelets and multiple rings on their hands).  I regret that some of the staff seem to talk about guests a bit too much and somehow word must have got around that van der Vaarts were handing out small envelopes.  I fear that while there were several genuinely delighted and surprised individuals, there were a few hopefuls who were disappointed.