Once Upon a Ramadan

Our move halfway across the world was daunting to say the least, but we were not prepared for the commencement of Ramadan a week later. We arrived on the 3rd of September and Ramadan started on the 12th. During this time public eating, drinking, smoking, and displays of affection are prohibited. PDA - not a problem...smoking...fine, but EATING! Eeek. We hadn't checked out of the hotel yet and luckily the hotel restaurants still serve food, but block the view with curtains so that Muslims do not see people eating. The next day we had planned to move into our villa, but air freight had not arrived so I had nothing to cook with and nowhere to eat during the day.

The most fun part of Ramadan is the reduction of working hours. Our cable/internet took weeks to set up because we were scheduled as the last appointment of the day - 2:30 and by the time it was our turn the other appointments had ran longer than they thought so we were moved to the next day. Logically you would think that we would then be the first appointment of the day. No, no, no. Remember logic doesn't translate into arabic. We would still have our 2:30 appointment and surprise, surprise, no internet man.

As if the driving weren't bad enough, during Ramadan, the crazy drivers who haven't eaten all day become maniacs as the sunset approaches. Now that's fun. Even the radio stations warn listeners to stay off the road because the iftar (breaking of the fast) drivers are racing toward dinner.

On the last day of Ramadan which coincided with my birthday, we headed to the mall to shop for a coffee table and some end tables. After selecting the tables and paying, the worker asked if we wanted delivery on the morning or evening of the 22nd of Oct. It was the 12th. I told him I wanted it next week, and of course they were unable "because of Ramadan". But it's over I told him. Yes, madam, but we are backed up from when it was still happening. Fabulous.

It wasn't all bad though. Kel's company hosted an iftar at a hotel on the beach. It was held in a huge, air conditioned tent with carpets all over the floor and mini tents inside. The food was delicious and the views were gorgeous.