Ah Spring, Its Beginning to Smell A Lot Like Bonfires...

3.19.2008

Fire is a pretty big deal around here. We actually live in the place where it is believed that fire worship began. So it should be no surprise that the biggest holiday of the year here, the coming of Spring, would have fire elements involved.

The big holiday, March 20th, is preceded by several Tuesday evenings of bonfires...each one seemingly bringing the fire a bit closer to our house!

Last night, the last Tuesday, bonfires were everywhere...prime bonfire real estate being the middle of city streets (see below).




It turns out to be quite the social event, with most of the neighborhood coming out to join in the fun and toss in some of their rubbish. I don't think anyone here has read or even heard of An Inconvenient Truth, at least by the looks of things thrown on the fire. Another blow to the ozone...somehow seems a bit incongruent seeing as its a celebration of spring and all.

Once the blaze dies down a bit (and my heartrate returns to normal since no more sparks are flying into the trees and onto our balcony), the "fun" begins. The idea is that if you jump over the fire, it will cleanse you from any "sins" or evil spirits...a fresh start for a fresh year and all that.

And so the fire jumping begins. Oddly enough, it is mostly done by children. I would think the adults would have much more to burn off than the kids, but hey, it isn't my custom.