Ramadan Kareem!!!
Hard to believe this is the 4th one passing, crazy how time flies! Now is the time of the holy month and Dubai is a COMPLETELY different city. As it moves forward every year by 11 days, it so happens that this time is pretty much the peak of the summer meaning the longest days... up to 14+ hours of fasting! As always, the fasting occurs from sunrise to sunset, so of course winters are nice because it is shorter hours but summers can really REALLY drag on. And not summer anywhere, but summer in Dubai where temps are now a steady 100+ degrees F with 40% + humidity AND about 118 degree heat index. So now just imagine that in itself, and then not drinking or eating. Phew! The Gulf countries out of all the Arab countries are known to be the most restricting as they do not allow ANY public drinking or eating regardless of religion. So yes, that means that yours truly (and all the other thousands of expats and non-Muslims here) can't drink or eat in public. Already have had to do a few sneaky bathroom water drinks (as it is so so hot!).
However, I do have to say that of course grocery stores are open, some cafes and coffee shops are open just for take away and some are covered with curtains or some kind of viewing block and allow food and drink to be served but it has to be super discrete AND they have to have a special license to do that! That's actually something I learned recently. BUT when Iftar comes, or the time to break the fast, all that goes out the window and imagine a scene of indulgence and gluttony. Actually just in the papers the other day it said that is common that some will engorge in 4000+ calories at Iftar alone. Why? Because celebrations go the whole night! Now the sunset is around 7:10-7:15ish and some will be eating all the way till past midnight or even until the sunrise. From patients and others that I've talked to, it really seems fairly similar ones that indulge and eat for 10 instead of 1 and others say there stomachs can't tolerate from being empty ALL day to being totally stuffed so kind of take it easy on Iftar. But the people I've talked to, most say they gain weight! It's actually really fascinating to hear all about it! Well, more so hearing everyone's stories, I shamefully haven't tried it (although in the States I did try it for a day. I actually didn't find the no eating thing that difficult but what killed me was not drinking water. Got headache, dry mouth, felt SUPER tired and lethargic, and.... that one day was enough for me). Although then again because say the 1st few days are the hardest but then get used to it.
Anyhoo, to get back on subject, Ramadan! I actually loooooooooove being here for Ramadan for a few reasons. One is that Dubai is soo cosmopolitan and so Westernized, sometimes I really do hardly feel I'm abroad or oversees nevertheless Middle East. So it's nice to experience life here during Ramadan and understand and respect their culture more. #2 - Ramadan, during summer nonetheless when everyone leaves town anyway = QUIET!!! Have been driving around the last day or so and it is almost odd how quiet it is. Traffic is nothing, streets are empty, and it's just soo peaceful! Another reason why it is so quiet is that a LOT of people, umm... won't mention any nationalities (but we all know who they are) literally will stay up all night and sleep all day and not leave the house till time to break the fast. If one can manage that, why not, right? 3rd, RAMADAN HOURS! This is probably something I went on and on about before. Well, the years before our work hours have always been 9-3, 6 hours like pretty much 70% of Dubai. Imagine how nice that is! But this year, don't get me started on this, our new management conveniently (sarcasm noted) are having us work 9-4... without breaks. I battled this out the best I could, won't bore, and it is what it is. At least we get Ramadan hours, right? And life could be worse, meaning NOT having Ramadan hours and also evening shifts, which they dared to propose (no joke, for us to work split shifts, one including 8-11pm!).
So now life for me is sooooooooooooooooooooo soooooooooooooooooooooooooo relaxed!!! Summertime here is like a 180 from winter when I hardly feel I have a moment for down time. Now I've caught up on random miscellaneous "I should do this," and actually have time to do it, de-cluttering, pleasure reading (gasp) and many many in betweens. Again, soooo nice! Although many foreigners complain how most restaurants are closed (during the day), there is no drinking (alcohol!) during the fasting hours (and quite limited at night (I think?), again, these things don't bother me!
Ramadan Kareem everyone (blessed Ramadan!)!!!
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