For the natives of Mecca, a city that lives off the flood of humanity that has coursed through its shrines since
time immemorial, this Tuesday morning promised a
particularly joyful occasion: New Year's day is when, according to tradition, the Meccans make a pilgrimage of their own to the Grand Mosque.
While the current drop in my income is distressing —
particularly at holiday
time — I can't help but look forward to the next year with a fair degree of hope and excitement — hence the rather
joyful photo at the top of the post!