Friday, November 21, 2014

Village Wedding

Elias (on the right in the photo below) is the guard at our apartment building--a fun, gentle man from a village outside of our city.  We were invited to his oldest daughter's wedding this week.  Elias has three daughters.  In this country where the bride's family pays a dowry,  it can be a huge burden  and expense for the father of the bride.

We were greeted by family and neighbors of the bride at his simple but lovely bari.
As is the custom here, most of the men and boys ate first.  In this culture you barely talk while having a meal.  You just eat.  Most of the visiting is done before eating.


We women were ushered into one of the mud-walled houses to visit while waiting for our turn to eat.  My landlady, on the left, in her beautifully appliquéd burka and scarf.



No matter what country,  little girls love dressing up for weddings!



Being an arranged marriage, the bride and groom hardly know each other at all.


After eating and picture taking,  we take our leave---wishing all the best for the young newlyweds!


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Children at Play

The students of Morningstar Children's Center don't have fancy toys, but like all children,  they love to play.  Here are a few of the ways they enjoy passing time when not in school…


Painting each others' hands and nails.

Homemade wagon