In the morning I go shopping with my sisters-in-law Mitra and Roshanak and my nice Golnoosh. Since they immediately want to buy everything I like I learn not to look at things too enthusiastically. They buy me two sleeveless tops which I like a lot but which turn out to be too small after all. One of them even tears the moment I try it on. Golnoosh wants to get a new manteau, one of those long coats that is part of the Islamic hejab, the obligatory dress code for women. We go to a street where shop after shop sells only those coats. While Golnoosh tries on a few knee-length numbers made from smooth denim, I find a soft lavender-colored one with beaded fringes among the black, dark blue, dark green, dark brown and gray ones. I try it on for fun and when it actually looks really good on me Mitra buys it for me. I am very happy with it. It will be perfect to lounge in at home. Of course you can never wear something this pretty in public in Tehran!

At home I wait for Keyvan who went out with his nephew Essy to shop for new clothes for the new year. Mamy and Roshanak prepare the haft sin (7 S); a table cloth on which 7 symbolic items are displayed which, in Persian, all start with an S. In the end they put down more than 7 items, but the goldfish, green sprouts, garlic, eggs, coins, flowers and apples that belong there are among them. At 10:46 PM exactly Spring starts and with that the New Year starts in Iran. There are a few emotional moments and some tears are shed. This is of course a special New Year because we are finally here with the rest of the family. Then Mamy grabs a big stack of brand new 10,000 rial bills (approximately $1.25 each) and gives each of us 10 of those bills. This is our eidy, our New Year’s gift. No wonder Iranian kids look forward to New Year’s Eve, it is like Christmas!