Happy Siku Kuu

Siku Kuu, is just a way to say holiday in Kiswahili. So happy holidays! Here, I've just gone through my second Eid al Hajj (the festival surrounding a devout Muslims trip to Mecca), and it was great. Even better than the first in some ways - the main way being that the 5 day dance-party that lasts till 4 am each night outside my window didn't work out this year, speakers bad or something...I was of course crushed! - But yea. Took lots of pictures again, I think I'm getting the hang of this lighting thing...and color backgrounds etc. better. People LOVE it when I take pictures here. Its cool. But really annoying sometimes too. Like when you are tired and its late and 30 people want their pictures taken...But hey!
I went to an Eid party, where they had drums banging and kids dancing and it was really beautiful and I just wanted to take a gazillon pictures. I kid you not, all the people, it was like a field of flowers!! It was so pretty, there are so many colors! I LOVE how not afraid of colors they are, they just go with it. Greens, pinks, yellows, blues, sparkles, shimmer, lace, and puff! They just run with it. Anyway, I got about 3 pictures off- one of one of my favorite little kids Ahmed, he's adorable - before I was literally SURROUNDED in kids. They were about 3 deep, circling me, all clamoring for me to take THEIR pictures. As in 50 pictures at once! So I had to put away the camera, cause now people were stopping paying attention of the drummers and dancers and starting to pay attention to the white girl! Talk about being the life of the party. Anyway after about 5 minutes of various adults helping to disperse the kids I was able to sit down and enjoy the end of the party.
Hows it there? Its literally been a very strange christmas season here. I've not yet heard any christmas music on anything. Though I did find a few cards to send to people. I hope you get them! Tomorrow is christmas eve and its so strange to not hear christmas music till then at church! But it should be fun. I hum things to myself anyway, and think what I would play on the piano if I could. I miss everyone, but at least next year, I'll see people for christmas (Insha allah!) You know too, as much as christmas may be way to commercialized in the U.S., it is nice to have a whole SEASON of it! I mean minus presents etc, its just nice that everyone can get an excuse to be kinder and pleasant. Heres to next year having a christmas season!
But until that point, wishing everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!