I can't really think of a better holiday than one that includes grilling, swimming, fireworks, being outdoors, and just chilling with friends and family. Accordingly, of all the holidays celebrated in America, July 4th has got to be my favorite. Living where I live, I was really concerned that I wasn't gonna get a proper July 4th this year. Thankfully I got a pretty good Middle Eastern approximation.I will say this, when a bunch of Americans get it in their minds to throw a good holiday celebration you better believe you will get a good holiday celebration. There were hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon (which are dirt cheap over here), fireworks, and lots of people (even one Briton). The only things missing were my family and friends from back home, and the swimming. But hey, this is the desert I wasn't expecting to be able to swim really.
Now back to the American determination thing. Being that there is a ready supply of fireworks available to be purchased throughout the year (locals set them off every night to celebrate anything and everything - mostly weddings) we decided to purchase us some fireworks and have a little show of our own. We would not be denied our fireworks show!
The ground team prepared to set off some electronically ignited fireworks in sequence.
While a friend and I sat on the roof waiting for our cue to launch the high flying aerial rockets.
The crowd gathered and waited for everything to go.
The ground crew lit their fireworks one by one, and then at the last second...
We started launching the rockets off the roof!
I must admit, I was pretty impressed with the size of the explosions we got from the rockets.
They were much better than I thought they would be.
Afterward, we came back down and lit what seemed like hundreds of sparklers for the kids.
Which they seemed to thoroughly enjoy. I almost got burned once or twice by a runaway child with sparkler, but managed to escape unscathed hehe.It really was a great night and I enjoyed the time I spent with my American friends. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from this culture and just do something completely American. Hope everyone back home had a great 4th of July!
