One of the things we all enjoy when we go somewhere is the sightseeing part of it. The different landscapes, the unique nature, the different but somewhat similar cultures, etc. We soak in all the wonders of wherever we go to. And before long, we start to consider ourselves to be part of the place, the people, the cultures and the traditions. Some even go as far as to learn the languages of the places they are visiting, to feel one with it. But no matter how hard we try, no matter how we conform, there are some things that we always have a hard time understanding about the places we visit.

But back to the sightseeing part, the best part of sightseeing is probably shopping, isn't it. All the colourful varieties of things that you know you'll never find in your local markets. And taking souvenirs is a mandatory part of visiting a place, isn't it.

A group of tourists visiting a beautiful place was doing just that, they had stopped their tour bus near the market while on their way back to the hotel. This place was absolutely magical with street sellers wearing wonderful dresses, that probably had some cultural significance, but to the tourists who didn't know it, the significance was how beautiful it all looked. Ofcourse the sellers and the locals of the market welcomed the group of tourists with welcoming friendly smiles. The tourists talked and bargained and mingled and soon felt one with the exotic atmosphere of the place.

One of the shops was playing local music on the stereo, the tourists didn't understand the words but seeing some of the locals dancing and smiling they too joined in the euphoria. The tourists soon started to feel like they belonged to the place. Any anxiety or strangeness felt by them when they got here was long gone.

While all this happened a rally of people in colourful exotic dresses was coming down the road. Some of them carried a beautifully decorated palanquin and while carrying it, they were moving in a rhythm which almost looked like dancing. The rest that accompanied the palanquin carriers were moving in their own rhythm, clapping their hands in few intervals, they'd chant something that sounded to tourists like, "MUW'HAHA".

It almost looked like a parade. The tourists, from personal experience, thought it would be great to join the parade or atleast wave them off. They gathered near the road to see the rally or "parade" as it passed them off. With their colourful dresses and palanquin and "muwhaha's", it looked like a cheerful affair to the tourists. Still euphoric from dancing near the shop, some of the tourists tried to copy the rhythmic movements of the rally members. Some tourists even started to chant, "MUW'HAHA" while smiling in joy. However, in their enjoyment, the tourists failed to notice that none of the locals were anywhere near them. Not the sellers who were smiling at them a while ago, not the walkers who were talking to them, or the local dancers accompanying them near the shop. Every local person was distancing themselves from them while this happened.

But they didn't notice or care, they were too busy dancing and trying to say, "muwhahas". Suddenly, a man from the rally turned towards the tourists, he had a very irritated, slightly angry expression on his face. Looking at the tourists with absolute irritation, he uttered, "PLEASE DO NOT INSULT THE DEAD."

It took some time for all the tourists to understand what he meant, and by the time every single one had understood the gravity of the situation, the rally had moved on.

With the help of some locals and some common sense, the tourists understood that funeral rallies are a thing in some cultures.

It is said that the tour bus that took them back to the hotel was absolutely silent the whole way.