Happy Newroz 2714

Friday was New Year's Day 2714 in Kurdistan. We had a nice breakfast on the floor with the family and got dressed in our best Newroz clothes.

This is a picture of me and Olivin watching The Mickey Mouse Club House. Olivin is Mr. Faraz's 6 year old daughter. We were friends. 

This was the living room and in the evening the men sit in here and the women sit in the other room where we eat, on the floor.

At about 1:00pm we all packed in cars and drove outside of the city of Akre up into the mountains to find a place to have a picnic.

 This is what every Kurdish family in Kurdistan does especially on Newroz.

 Mats and cushions are laid out for the feast.

 The kids, of course, were drawn to the water. They had lots of fun splashing around.

Faraz is taking a picture of is 3 year old son Mustafa who is wearing traditional Kurdish clothes.

 Aren't the women beautiful?

 This is Faraz's Mother getting our place all laid out. Jon and I tried several times to help with anything and they would have none of that. 

 Cooking traditional Kurdish chicken and rice.

 Here we are with the Mother and Father and one sister. Faraz's father is in the Ministry of Agriculture.
We were assured over and over again each day that we are now part of their family and we must always come to their celebrations.

 Our meal is being prepared by all the Kurdish women.

 Jon is helping Olivin with her kite. We didn't have quite enough wind though it was a beautiful spring day.

 Our picnic is ready. Traditional dolma along with chicken and rice was the main dish. We also had ocra soup a red cabbage salad, a cucumber tomato salad, olives, and other fresh vegetables. 

 Jon and I with Faraz and his wife Jawan.

 It's obvious that I don't have enough gold! And isn't it funny that the Americans are the only ones that smile with their teeth. LOL

Pictures with Jawan and Faraz's mother. Lots of kisses when we left. 

Jon and I left the party a little early so we could drive up to Korek Mountain and see the waterfalls before we headed back to the city.

On our way we met a donkey just taking a walk.

 The water is literally pouring out the side of the mountain and down through the city.

 The telefric that goes up to the top of Korek Mountian.

 At the top was a visitors center and kind of a Swiss Chalet. Mostly it looked like a big barn.

 A ginormous samovar 

 The observatory on top of Korek Mountain.

 Inside the Swiss chalet.  LOL. We had some hot chocolate and walked around for awhile. 

 Beautiful landscape 

Kurdistan is actually green and beautiful for about 3 months of the year.