Iran Election Stories From Friends and Family

From Iran today:

March 16, 2010 Shiraz is ALIVE!!!!

This is the BEST Chaharshanbeh Soori I have ever experienced! Our city was alive tonight with the sounds of music, laughter and fireworks! And even though it is illegal now to build bonfires on the roads, people were building fires in the joobes (open drains) and in the dirt on the sidewalks and jumping over them. Our neighborhood is still partying and it’s WAY past midnight. Girls and guys are dancing and mingling. The impromptu fireworks displays are beautiful!

Our evening started at 7 pm when the kids, hubs and I went out to our apartment complex field and started the fires and fireworks. All the complex kids followed us with their goodies and the evening festivities began! We had strict rules – no throwing firecrackers under peoples’ feet. We also had a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher handy. Everyone had fun. Lots of people joined us and we had an awesome display. Other people in the neighborhood had their own festivities. People were setting off fireworks from their roofs and balconies. From the hills we could see the city of Shiraz below. The fireworks lighting the sky were brilliant! Sounds of firecrackers and music came from all over the city.

At 9 pm we bid adieu and headed for a party we were invited to. The people in our complex were just warming up!  We drove all the way to X. Along the way we saw fire engines at the ready and plenty of security forces. But the robocops did not seem to be out – at least in our area. Fireworks were going off all around the security personnel. They just stood there – and laughed at particularly loud ones!

We reached the garden where we were invited and spent an evening with friends eating and drinking and jumping over yet more fires (and lighting even more fireworks). It was relaxing and enjoyable and great fun. People of every age were there. On the way to and from the party we saw many people celebrating on the sides of the roads. And some of the young people were sitting on their car doors as they drove down X, dancing to music along the way. Tonight, the people of Shiraz were having a GREAT time, despite all the warnings! It’s past 1 am and the neighborhood disco is still going! I am turning out the lights for now to sweet dreams.