peacocks and party lights

i now have peacocks on my palms, and flowers down my index fingers.
my friend invited me to a mehendi ceremony for a woman in her building who was getting married.
it was lovely, and in a strange way, relaxing.
(it was also really nice to be surrounded almost entirely by women, as most of the time im out-numbered at least 10-1).
the bride was beautiful, and had endured four hours of henna paste applied from fingertips to elbows and toes to knees in an amazingly intricate and detailed design.
aside from the baby, most everyone there was sitting, talking, eating, or dancing with not-quite-dry henna on their palms which was interesting (every finger was different) and sort of dangerous at the same time (little girls running with hands outstretched in close proximity of gorgeous saris, and try picking up a camera or cup without full use of your fingertips and thumbs).
incredible, amazing and serene.