Under the clear skies of Aden and on the last nights of Ramadan, and among the faded Eid decorations, I sneaked into Crater Market, the oldest market in the city, to monitor the stories of simple people on the night of Eid al-Fitr, despite the usual crowds at this late hour of the night every Ramadan. I felt the pulse of... Life pulses in every corner, among the vendors and shoppers, laughter of joy mixed with tears of pain, in a sad harmony that reflects the reality of a city exhausted by war.

I noticed a young girl talking to her husband in a loud voice: “See, I walk and you are silent. Don’t make fun of me, because I gave you 15 thousand to buy qat, store it, close your locker, and walk away while you are silent.” I laughed secretly, but the laugh stuck in my throat when I realized that khat is the only outlet for many in this afflicted city, despite its high cost.

A few steps away, I saw a mother dragging her children out of a clothing store, saying to them in a voice filled with sorrow: “Oh, my children, go, come. Your father is not a drug dealer or a leader the size of a nation, so I can buy you something at very expensive prices. Go, go, and we will get something cheap.” I felt With a pang in my heart, I wished I could help her, but I realized that her suffering is the suffering of thousands in this city.

While I was walking, I heard a woman joking with a shop owner: “Listen, these are the prices. I will sell it to those in Ma’ashiq and to those in Goldmore.. Am I not selling to you for two days of gold?” I laughed heartily with her, for laughter is a refuge from the harshness of reality.

I noticed a young man holding a few banknotes in his hand, saying to his friend: “Oh God, give him this money to buy pants and a single suit that we can wear for the whole year.” I felt sad for him, and wondered how a young man could live with such cruel simplicity.

In another corner of the market, I saw a man carrying bags full of clothes and sweets, saying to his wife and children: “Go, wife, you are jealous of me and your ignorance. I spent the money I had for a whole year to buy you and your children Eid clothing. We will buy you a restaurant. I will buy you a restaurant.” I smiled, because I saw In his eyes is the joy of a father who sacrifices everything he has in order to make his family happy..

Among these and other stories, I felt that Crater Market is a mirror that reflects the reality of the city of Aden, a city exhausted by war, but which has not lost hope, a city suffering from poverty and deprivation, but retaining its cheerful spirit, a city groaning under the weight of the crisis, but refusing to surrender.

I left the market carrying mixed feelings in my heart. The joy of Eid was mixed with the pain of suffering, and hope for the future was mixed with fear of the unknown.. But I am certain that Aden will rise again, and life will return to it as it was, and even better, as there is strength and determination in the hearts of its people. She does not relent, and in her land are seeds of goodness that will sprout one day, blooming with joy and hope.