Ramadan, take two...

Another year, another Ramadan. For those of you that had the (mis)pleasure of talking to me during one of my daily mid-afternoon hunger rants, you know that this Ramadan was much harder... probably because I did the whole month this time, and didn't have a visit from the lovely Emily to save me at the end of the month as I did last year. That being said, I am so glad that I did the whole time and got to celebrate Eid yesterday, my new favorite holiday (mainly because you get to eat food again).

My friend Jojo did a good job explaining Ramadan to me (probably as he noticed the longing in my eyes for breakfast one morning): "Chantel" said he, "Ramadan is not a time for suffering. It is a chance to relax and cleanse you body of everything bad. You abstain from over eating, you avoid bad music and sights to cleanse your eyes and ears, and you devote your thoughts to Allah. Look, we're sitting on the beach talking and watching the boats come in. Not a bad time, eh?*"

Although I still complained about being hungry every day around 4.00, it did help to think of things his way. On another note, my friend Faida told me that the women still always suffer during Ramadan bacause they still have to clean and cook, while the men get to sit around and relax. Different points of view.. luckily as the weird white person hanging out here, I get to do whatever I want, so did a bit of cooking, my house is super clean, and fit some boat watching in as well.

Sorry no photos to add today this cafe is sloooow but will try tomorrow morning. Or next month. We shall see. Tratra ny Eid, al-humdelallahi!

Bisous

p.s. On Eid (the holiday after Ramadan where you eat lots of bread together and everyone is REALLY happy all day) the men at the mosque had me take a photo of them together, and I was told to send it to Barack Obama. I love my town.

*He may not have actually said "eh", but I'm hoping it will catch on here in Katsepy...