This Week in Photos, November 9-15, 2012

One day after Veterans Day, Michele Mathews sits on top of Kevin Palmer’s shoulders to make a rubbing of where Palmer’s uncle’s name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC.

Children dress up in traditional gaucho clothing to participate in a horse parade during Argentina’s Tradition Day. The celebration marks the birthday of poet Jose Hernandez who highlighted the hardships of the ordinary people of his day.

A young girl sits among dozens of diyas during a Diwali celebration in central Trinidad. The lamps and candles symbolize the victory of good over evil during this Hindu festival of lights.

Festive piñatas are displayed outside a shop in Mangua. This Christmas, the government plans to give out 250,000 piñatas to families across the country.

Lord & Taylor unveiled their 75th annual holiday windows in NYC, which celebrate special holiday traditions from around the world.

Participants from the “Popular” beauty pageant attend a parade for Cartagena’s independence day. The pageant contestants are from the different neighborhoods within the city.

Google employee, Andrea Janus, takes a stab at the mini-golf course on the balcony of the new Google office in Toronto.

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder hybrid gas/electric car makes its North American premiere at the BMW “Born Electric” tour stop in NYC.

A crane and a crew of workers are needed to bring in the 80-foot-tall 2012 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to its prominent position outside of Rockefeller Center in NYC.

Costumed performers participate in a traditional folk festival event in San Martin, CA. The Folclorico y Turistico del Llano festival marks the native people’s struggle for freedom against Spanish colonization.

NYC’s Bloomingdales flagship store unveils their 2012 Cirque Du Soleil inspired Holiday Windows with a show from the performance troupe themselves.

The first day of the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition brings spectators out to watch a flight demonstration in Zhuhai.

Maya Yoshida of Japan controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier match between Oman and Japan.

Women compete in the World Pole Dancing Championship 2012 held in Zurich. The view of pole dancing is evolving to become a popular sport that requires strength, grace, and careful technique.

A woman of the Akha Hilltribe picks Oolong tea leaves in Chain Rai, Thailand. The tea leaves are harvested every 45 days.

Ricky May drives Terror to Love to win his 6th New Zealand Trotting Cup Victory at Addington Raceway.

Men in ancient Roman outfits walk the carpet for the “Benur” premiere during the 7th Rome Film Festival.