My friend Laurel asked me to write about daily life during Ramadan. Of course, it is different for Mike than it is for me. and then for Ryan as well.
To begin with, the hours all change. During Ramadan it is forbidden for Muslims to eat or drink between the first light of dawn and sunset. So, the restaurants and cafes are all closed during the day. Muslim families plan dinners during the evenings to break their fast. They stay up very late. Then sleep they sleep in and start their days later. Truly what it becomes is just changing the nites and days...Ryan goes to school from 8:40 to 2 instead of 8 to 3 and most offices start sometime after 9 and close at 2 or 3. The shops open around 10 am and close at around 2 and then open back up at 8pm and stay open until 11, 12 or even 1 am.
For Mike it is difficult for any work to get done. For Ryan, he loves the shorter hours. :) For me, not so much changes except no coffee with moms after school drop off..and no lunch on Fridays at the Mall..after church. The grocery stores are open so I go early in the day before the evening rush... It's like the month before Christmas at the malls here during Ramadan..ugh. I avoid them at all costs in the later evening...No way. :)
Naturally the traffic patterns are different as well. From about 5:30 until about 8pm, when the stores reopen there are no cars on the road..everyone is breaking their fast. That is called Iftar dinner. It's like a party every nite. The hotels serve huge buffets and the food just keeps on coming. Mike and I went to one the other nite at a hotel with some folks from his office and WOW!! Lots of food..More than a Kansas Potluck at church...:)
People do seem more irritable during the day. Lots of car accidents pop up all over. Workers are aloud to drink on the jobsites(cuz of deaths in the past from dehydration...) but they do it behind screens.
Last year everything was so new..we didn't know if we were coming or going..This year it is more routine. :) Please pray for our friends here...Many truly do seek God during this time. Please pray that they will find Him. And that Mike and I and the kids will be salt and light to all we meet.
Robert is doing better. No more pain. Tests all came back normal. Our online school is going well. So far we really like it...although it will be better when we get the materials. :) We are sort of winging it right now. If you want to know what we are doing you can check it out at k12.com. Also, if you would like to read some interesting articles in the paper here...go to Gulfnews.com, and read the articles on Who will speak for Islam? Another book I want to get is Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey.
Hope you are all well.
Love, Mattie
