smoking

Aicha impresses me with the fine lines and beautiful designs she paints in henna, and she’s so fast! The henna smells like incense. After the henna dries, which happens quickly in 105 degree heat, you wash it off and can barely see the designs anymore. Then you put your hands into a huge pot that has in the base of it smoking embers. You sit slumped over in an inelegant position with your hands in a pot of smoke for five or ten minutes, the longer the darker the henna.

Here people usually get painted for a special celebration like a wedding. Don’t worry Mom, it’s temporary.