13 delightful images of balloon sellers from around the world

An Afghan man wanders through Kabul trying to sell his balloons, on Oct. 17, 2011.

(Image credit: REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail)

These striking images of balloons weren't taken at your kid's 5th birthday party in a cushy cul-de-sac somewhere in middle America. These photos were shot passing by the Ravi river in Lahore, or on a dirt road in Kabul. In many parts of the world, balloon sellers roam the streets, struggling to make a living as they sell wonderfully colorful tokens to passersby. But while doing so, they manage to bring a sense of fun and playfulness to what otherwise might be a rather grim landscape. Take a look at these delightful photos from around the globe:

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Lauren Hansen produces The Weekâ€™s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.