Ramadan - Month of Fasting Begins

G'day

Ramadan, the muslim month of fasting between sunrise and sunset has commenced. The shops are chock full of additional foods, cooking vessels and so on in anticipation of the huge feasting that occurs after dark. Here's a shot of one of our local stores showing the additional isle space ... only a small part of the total.

No food or drink, even water, is to be taken during the daylight hours. Needless to say, we Westerners have secluded rooms at work where we have lunch, coffee and drink water. And in our houses of course we can do what we like. Sex is not allowed during daylight hours either, but I expect much happens that nobody else knows about.

Our teaching hours are reduced by 10 minutes so we work a 6h day at the college. Many of the students arrive tired and restless after feasting all night. This lasts for a whole month.

The worst thing is that when you go shopping, you can't drop into Starbucks or Gloria Jeans and have a nice coffee ... they aren't open. All part of the local cultural experience.

Cheers.

Robin