it's beautiful, but what is it? Tweet

Last night, Chris called me right after finishing his Romanian class (!) and as we chatted away about groceries and other late-evening excitements, I watched three kids perch an unstable three-tier ladder on a building down the street to no obvious outcome, and threw that into the conversation. Soon after, I went back to my business, and only once Chris got home and looked out of the same window, he pointed out that my kids had been putting up fairy lights! He was quite amused to bring me the news, because I'm such a nutter for fairy lights that I carefully extended the life of our outdoor Christmas lights last year, month after month, until he realized that I was not planning to put them away. And there was further proof when we moved flat and I pinned the lights on the terrace walls before I sorted out my beloved pots of babies.

On my way to work today, I looked up the wall of lights, admired the hard work, and wondered what it was about. Tonight, it was Chris again who looked out of that window at the right time, and spotted guests arrive in very nice cars, and very nice saris. It was mesmerising, more than I could quickly capture with my camera. But what was the occasion of such elegant and bright displays rather late at night? For a moment we wondered whether it was Diwali, but it turns out not, not until October 26th. Then we speculated that it could be the Birth of the Prophet, but then celebrating it would be three days late. An hour passed, and we're none the wiser. Maybe it's just a family thing, or maybe the mystery thickens. But we're thrilled nonetheless that some of our neighbours are doing something of note. And it's shiny!



Update, February 23rd 2011: Alex suggested it was an engagement party, which reminded me that walking past it again today, I saw red heart confetti in myriad sizes and could swear that they were fragrant, too. If Alex's theory is correct, as she put it: They know how to celebrate in style! How lovely :)