Vi's Divali Festival of Lights Update

A message from Gypsy Chief Lavengro:

Our people are busy preparing for Goddess Vi's Festival of Lights at the Gypsy Camp. I have put the Lambanis (gypsies from India) in charge of this, and the smell from their camp is making my eyes water. You'd better like your curries hot!

The Irish cousins will be providing colcannon and stew, while the Gitanos from Spain have promised mountains of paella.

The Middle Eastern Rom, who are made up of members from the Ghorbati and Nawari tribes, have been making Turkish Delight and packing it in boxes for visitors to take home. The dear Abbess at the Lemurian Abbey sent baskets of Apothecary's roses for making the rosewater. She will be receiving a special thank you box. This sweetmeat is delicious - I nicked a box while I was there and had my hand slapped for my pains, buit it was worth it.

Vi will look every inch a Goddess on her night, because the ladies of the Lambani camp are making her a special sari - there is so much gold thread involved I am not sure if she will be able to stand up in it.

The Lambani women have been visiting Baba and the fair Enchantress - they have become terrible slave drivers. They have the rest of us making lanterns and candles from dawn til dusk. There will be so many lights you will able to see this camp from space. I rather like that thought.

Yours respectfully,

Lavengro,

Gypsy Chief