Celebration!

The three days after the fasting holy month are one of the two biggest holidays of the year in these parts. So, kind of like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

The men dance near the souq. (It's hard to see them because of the men surrounding them, and I was not going to push my way in, but the raised swords are part of the dance.)

The children get new clothes, and everyone gives them money, so then they go to flea-market-like areas set up with toys and goodies, like this young man is selling. That way they can blow their money! There were cap-like guns going off everywhere, and many joyful children in the streets--sometimes with no parent in sight!

This young man warned me of a bee on my back, which led to a friendly little chat.

There are scads of these little stands. It actually looks like anyone who wants to sell a hot dog

can set one up!

The walk with the toys and goodies.

Of course henna is celebratory, so when my friend invited me to join her in getting some done, I readily agreed! She actually wasn't getting any done, because her cousin (in his late teens, perhaps) died in a car accident a year ago, and her aunt is still grieving. So out of respect, the nieces have not done henna that whole time.

P.S. The color won't leave my nails until they completely regrow.