I don't generally expect people to know where Suriname is on a world map, and most people usually think it's on the African continent somewhere. When I say it's between Guyana and French Guiana, I usually receive a confused blank stare. Eventually I have to say it's on the northwest coast of South America close to Brazil, and that usually gets the job done.

     Also, you may or may not what Holi is depending on how large the Indian community is in your country or area. There are a few countries in the Caribbean with substantial populations of citizens with Indian ancestry, namely Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and Suriname. Here in Suriname descendants of indentured Indian workers make up around 27% of the country's population, the largest single ethnic group.

     Even though the majority of Indian descendants are actually Christians here in Suriname, Holi is still celebrated by both Christians and Hindus. In fact, the whole entire country takes part in Holi regardless of ethnicity, religion or class. It is magical to witness, and even better if it's at public school among the youths of Suriname.

     In short, Holi is basically the celebration of good over evil, but also signifies some seasonal changes and other things. In India, effigies are burned, broken friendships are repaired, and it's generally a time to forgive and forget. Holi in Suriname is very simple; it's just about fun and enjoyment, and releasing some endorphines by aggressively covering your friends with colored powders.

     With the anticipation building, Sakana's teacher walked around the room and smeared phagwa powder on the cheeks of all the students. I had come intending only to take photos, but Sakana's teacher rubbed powder on my cheeks, thereby rendering me a legit target for all students. I got caught up in the excitement and felt I needed to document this beautiful example of multicultural bliss.

     With phagwa blasters prepped and ready for action, it was time to turn the students loose and let them enjoy themselves. I hadn't been surrounded by so much laughter and good vibes in a few years, and the experience was already beginning to feel like a personal healing of some sort. Sometimes the best medicine is not herbal or synthetic, but produced within the human body itself.

     Not many multicultural countries in the world have enough mutual love and respect to take part in each other's cultures and customs. Here in Suriname the vibes are different. I've tried countless times in Jamaica to get my Rastafari brethren and sistren to try Indian food, only to hear them say "Me nah deal wid' de Indian mon dem', dem food man stink suh!" That kind of rhetoric breaks my heart to be honest.

     It was such a joy to see the multiethnic youths of Petuniaschool all playing with our daughters. These shy Khmer girls from the countryside of Cambodia have really come out of their shells in Ecuador and Suriname over the course of the last year. They are now confident multilingual little youths that know how to stand firm in the face of adversity, and they have deserved an endorphine rush like this for far too long.

     Seeing the @KidSisters take part in Holi and learn another new custom from another culture brings me great joy. They are filling up their minds with positive life-altering experiences, and I aim for their young brains to be full of neuroplasticity. I really feel if there is any hope for humankind, we have to learn to come together like this from time to time.

     I guess I should mention I am now posting this at the height of global coronavirus scares. I am just now having a chance to post this, and this is really the last day things were somewhat normal here in Suriname.

     There is now a confirmed case of coronavirus in Paramaribo, and the country has now closed its borders. We are here for the foreseeable future, postponing a job offer we had in Batumi, Georgia. I guess it makes me extra happy we got to share this experience right before worldwide vibes took a turn for the worse.