This week s Cellar / Neatorama Image of the Week is this crazy looking Christmas tree in Irbil, Iraq. No wonder Iraqis improvize something for a Christmas tree turns out, selling Christmas trees is one of the most dangerous jobs in Baghdad:
Nouri Dawoud has one of the most dangerous jobs in Baghdad. He sells Christmas trees.
For seven hours a day, he stands on the same street corner in a neighborhood where drive-by shootings and snipers are not uncommon. He caters to Christians, among the most targeted people. On a good day, he attracts a crowd, a draw for suicide bombers.
On Monday, one week before Christmas, Dawoud was the only tree vendor on his street, which in the past had become Christmas tree row in early December. His colleagues, he said, were too afraid to join him.
They said, You go check it out first.
You re an old man, he said.
With a black-checkered kaffiyeh wrapped around his head, he placed five tall, anemic-looking trees against a wall and waited for people to show up. Few did.
With his one good eye, he scanned every car. He called his presence a fidai a suicide mission and broke into a hearty laugh.
Arsonists who enjoy burning down a festive Swedish straw goat may have met their match this year.
In the 40 years since the tradition started, the giant goat of Gavle has often gone up in flames within days.
But this year the 13-metre (43ft) high goat has a coat of flame-resistant chemicals, and the authorities are determined it will see in the New Year.
No-one is going to get our goat this year, says a local spokeswoman with confidence.
(Parental discretion is advised for this post.) In the competition of Santas, Lapland is doing great, while Greenland has fallen on hard times.
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