Saturday, August 30, 2008

A change in custom

Went to a wedding a couple of weeks ago where our son was best man. This little girl, a member of the wedding party, is selling boutonnieres (the orange ones in the basket) to the men who attend, and lacey wrist bands to the ladies. It used to be the custom that a little girl like her would sell sprigs of rosemary, an herb reputed to bring luck and health, but now this custom has changed. A while back, the money she collected used to go to the new couple, but now it is hers to keep. There's no fixed "donation," and you can see what she's received so far. 100 dinars is roughly $2.00. (I don't know what the little candle is for!)

FOUR WOMEN

 Four women near an outdoor market downtown.