Beach Bits,  my Persian emersion

Fire Jumping!

Chaharshanbe-Suri-1

We did some fire-jumping last night. It’s part of the Persian New Year which happens this coming Saturday. It’s customary for Persians to jump over fire seven times to cleanse themselves of the old year and get ready for the new year. But Payam tells me that most Persians just do it because it’s fun.
Chaharshanbe-Suri-3

And it totally is! Yes, I did it too. At first I was afraid. What if I didn’t make it? What if I slipped or didn’t quite make it to the other side? Would I go up in flames or walk away with charred clothing? Payam just shook his head at my silliness. As far as he knows, no one has ever fallen into the fire on Chaharshambeh Suri (the fire jumping ceremony).
Chaharshanbe-Suri-2

I learned about this custom last year and I really wanted to do it. I love bonfires at the beach and it seemed like the perfect festivity for me but with school night bedtimes and the rush of life we somehow missed it. So this year we planned ahead and had a quick dinner nearby so we could make it in time for sunset.

Once we got there I realized I should have packed a picnic and had dinner right there on the beach! It would have been so cozy to pull up a chair by the fire, meet some new friends and enjoy a dinner al fresco, or at least a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate and marshmallows! What was I thinking? Obviously I wasn’t. But at least we made it there this year and now I can plan for next year!

4 Comments

  • Gingermog

    Happy Persian New Year! I’ve never heard of this custom before but the Portuguese do something similar at Midsummer. I agree bonfires on the beach are wonderful. Glad to see your enjoying the days :) xx

  • hil

    Oh what fun! I didn’t know about the Persian New Year, but that looks like such a fun tradition! We have had our first bonfire here by the river in Pennsylvania as well.

  • Gingermog

    Just flying by to say good morning. I’m sat at my desk, in Soho sitting my coffee re-reading you blog easing into the work day. When I sit back, take stock at all that has happened in the past three years I’m glad some things don’t change :) See you in August. warmly, Lynne xx

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