Temptation, hesitation and a sticky floor

The exterior of Sri Mahamariamman Temple was under renovation. It was raining heavily and I was reluctant to take off my shoes and wade through the rain water barefoot in order to enter the Hindu temple. From the outside, I could glimpse a fascinating ceremony taking place in an inner chamber, with much chanting and the pouring of water and colours over a certain statue. Eventually I succumbed to the temptation, removed my shoes and socks, and entered – at the exact same time, the ceremony came to an end. The floor inside was surprisingly and unpleasantly sticky.