Morning with a friend

Today is the usual day for my Kurdish lesson but instead I asked my language helper if she'd be willing to go with me to the bazaar. I really don't like going down there because I don't know my way around but I needed to buy a Kurdish outfit for the upcoming New Years' celebration in March. On this day, everyone wears their traditional clothes to show pride in their culture and history. We drove down and parked the car and then walked through mud and filth to get to the "fabric bazaar". It was a beautiful sunny day today but yesterday was rainy and thus the mud. I have never seen so many fabric stores and colors & glitter as I saw today. I was so sad to find that I only had room for one photo on my camera but let me describe our morning for you. We went from shop to shop, looking at dozens of patterns. After seeing the color that I wanted, we began to bargain for the price. My friend was a master at it and I didn't have to say a word. I wasn't aware of all the other things that go with this outfit. After buying the fabric, we headed for the accessories' bazaar. It is the oldest bazaar in our city and I wish I had a picture. You enter through a narrow opening and head down tiny little alleyways lined with shops that have so much gold and glitter that you can't see anything. Most prefer to make their own necklaces and there are 1000's of little cups full of beads that women choose from and carry off in little white envelopes. I chose 2 necklaces to go with my outfit and paid about $3.00 for both. Then I needed a belt I was told. My friend insisted on buying the belt as a gift. It was more expensive ($20) and really nice. I then needed special open-toed shoes to go with the outfit. Unfortunately they didn't have my size so I'll have to look elsewhere. I was very pleased with my purchases and we headed back to the car to go and visit her sister where a seamstress friend would be waiting for us. As we unpacked our wares and showed them the fabric and accessories, they were thrilled with my choice and congratulated me on buying my first Kurdish clothing. After taking my measurements, we sat and had tea and cookies, then left for home after a long morning out. I'm sure I learned way more language being out with people all morning than I would have with my notebook & pen in hand. It was a wonderful experience and I bonded even more with these people and their rich culture. You'll be hearing lots about our No Roz celebration on March 21st and many more pictures to follow. This one is of my tutor and friend, Hanna, in front of the accessory booth where I bought some of my things.