Sky Lantern Festival Promotion (more pictures to come)

Photo by: Jamie Bunker

On March 3rd, a Saturday, I was sitting in the TV room around 4 pm, drinking tea in my pajamas with some friends (the day had been quite unproductive up to this point). Before I knew it, a very loud and excited woman came in the room and talked us all into going with her to a promotional event for the upcoming Sky Lantern Festival. We were soon whisked away (in the car of one of the main organizers) and put on a boat (that waited over an hour for the foreigners/us) to the huge Buddha statue in the middle of the lake, Hussain Sagar. There we helped release 200 paper lanterns (which were completely biodegradable). It was absolutely amazing; one of the most beautiful, man-made things I have ever seen.  Since it was a promotional event for the upcoming big release (which will include breaking the world record and letting go 15,000 lanterns) there were a LOT of cameras. We were all  interviewed by the news multiple times. Here is an example of my interview:
              news guy: Something something something
              me: WHAT? (holding microphone)
              random lady: He wants you to say your name, why you're here, what you think about the festival, and that you are excited for the big event!
              me: OKAY!
              news guy: Okay go!
              me: Um...... Wait what am I supposed to say???
              random lady: (grabs microphone and rolls her eyes) Hello, what is your name?
              me: My name is Alisa (smiling big)
              random lady: Why are you in Hyderabad?
              me: I am in Hyderabad because I am a student studying at the University of Hyderabad!
              random lady: What do you think of this promotional event?
              me: Oh WOW!! It's sooo amazing! Really cool! (I start walking away, as I thought I was done...)
              random lady: Wait! Say something about breaking the Genis World Book of Records for the most sky lanterns let go at once!
              me: OH! Uh, oh sorry!!! Um, this event is, uh, this event, uh, is to, well, it's to ummm, break, or no it's to beat the gennnnn, (pause) Genesis Book of Records...(pause)... WORLD Records.
             random lady, camera man, and news guy: (blank stare)
             random lady: Um. Okay, thank you!

So, um, that was awkward! But, it gave me a good laugh afterwards. haha.

Afterwards, we went to a club/restaurant, which was quite fun.

woo hoo! (Photo taken by: Kelly O'Brien)