Travel Extravaganza 2011: Ramadan

Ramadan fell during the month of August (based on the Islamic calendar). I was in Turkey for the beginning of Ramadan and despite being a predominantly Muslim country I did not notice much difference in the day to day life around me. But upon returning to Egypt I was fully immersed in the discipline of Ramadan. Ramadan is the month of fasting where no food, drink, smoking or sex is had from sunrise to sunset. At sunset (about 6:30pm) the call to prayer signals the end of the fast and people take their first meal- Iftar. The night may be spent in the company of family and friends during which eating, socializing, shopping, visiting the mosque and reading the Quran might be some of the activities. Fasting begins again, signalled by the call to prayer, at about 3:30am.

The fast is a cleansing ritual meant to purify oneself from thoughts and deeds which are counter to Islam. Just a couple examples of the effects would be an appreciation for the lives of those less fortunate, gratitude for the bounty of their own lives, and a time of charitable acts. Initially I was dreading Ramadan, but found it to be a very pleasant and enlightening experience. No, I was not fasting, but I enjoyed witnessing this significant event and the change of pace Ramadan brought to Cairo. The mornings were shockingly quiet, the days less hectic than normal, the streets completely deserted during Iftar, and the evenings celebratory. Those able to switch their schedules- sleeping during the day and staying up all night-did so. Those who couldn’t must have struggled to get through the day. I saw one man pass out cold while walking down the street beside me- he probably hadn’t had even a drop of water and was out during the heat of the day (yes it is summer in August!).

And then there was Eid. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid ul-Fitr or The Feast. But a better term would be The Party. Never mind that the beer/liquor stores were closed for 30 days, I am certain they recouped all their losses and then some during the 3 days of Eid. People from all over Egypt were in Cairo to celebrate, and it was a chaotic, insane and crazy time. Eid began on a Tues, ended on Thurs, but since Fri and Sat are the weekend, became a 5 day affair. Phew, I am glad Eid has come and gone but I am grateful I was in Cairo to experience Ramadan.

So now what? I know you are wondering what my next adventure will be, so am I. When I was in Lebanon an American enviously said to me a Canadian passport is like gold. I wish someone would tell that to the Iranian embassy. It has been over a month since I applied (again!) for an Iranian visa- this time using a visa company- but still no word. So for now I wait in Cairo, enjoying my days in a city I have come to love, with people I have come to love. I love my life J

Below are a few of my favorite things. Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie

Here is more Egyptian music- this video was taken at Gasser’s house the other night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJxsjsKmZYg&feature=email

I love the sound of the call to prayer, and wanted to share it with you. You can listen to it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMxUGB-lSqo&feature=related

Gasser