The priest's words were invisible birds flying around our heads ...

Debra climbed the ancient steps to the temple swiftly and easily - we followed her, each stone step smooth beneath our bare feet - for two millennia pilgrims had come here, seeking grace -

We passed through a gateway into a crowded courtyard - we saw a few westerners, pale intruders, with their white sun hats and cameras - 

The sunlight was dazzling - deep shadows were cast by shrines and statues - I looked up at the feverishly bright images of gods and demons - I felt a sense of utter strangeness -

Every fifteen minutes or so, it seemed that a canon had been fired - the explosions made my ears ring - 

We saw a baby placed upon one of the pans of a pair of scales - he wiggled like a dark cherub with kohled eyes - fond aunts clustered around him - I wondered if a naming ceremony was taking place -  

Then we saw Nick and Tina, garlanded with white flowers, standing before a bare chested priest - he pronounced his blessing of their marriage - women played tanpuras - 

Led by Babbagi, we threw tiny red and white flowers over Nick and Tina - the priest's mysterious words were invisible birds flying around our heads -