Turkey is famous for its steam baths and spas, called Hammam's. But what you see here is not a picture taken at a spa in Istanbul, but at the airport. These travelers are on their way to Jeddah. As part of Ramadan, there is a practice called Umrah. Pilgrims cleanse themselves and then travel to visit the Kaaba which is a holy place in Mecca. I think that tradition states they are supposed to travel naked (I'm not sure, if someone knows please help me) - but today they travel wrapped in these towels that you see. I guess the question, "What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt?" could easily be asked about these fellows. I've been warned that when I travel to Saudi next week that my plane will be full of people making the Umrah. Could be an interesting flight, hope my seat mates towel doesn't "accidentally" get caught in the seat belt or something. Sorry for the blurriness of the picture, but I was trying to be discrete - probably a bit rude to start taking snapshots like they were characters in a diorama.
After hearing so much about the feasts, called Iftar, that are held in the evenings to break the fasts of Ramandan, we decided to visit one ourselves. We heard that the crowds were huge, but probably for the first time in our lives, we were a late seating (at 8:30). After thinking about it, I realized why. Fasters are allowed to break their fast at sunset, which occurs around 6:30. So, of course, the banquets are going to be a lot more busy at that time than 2 hours later. Anyway, the food was great. Here are Russell and Lyra outside the tents that had been set up for the banqueting hall..
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Russell got to smoke a sisha. Lyra and I both had henna designs done..
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Here's a picture from Russell. In this neighborhood, all the streets are named after major cities in the region. We were on the corner of Baghdad and Beirut.
8 comments:
Wow. Just beautiful. The tents, the floors. So colorful. I like what Russell is wearing also. What is that type of clothing called? Does it have an official name or is it just clothes? Does one have to be more careful on the corner of Bagdad and Beirut streets?
Russ - Your outfit is outstanding.
Russell is wearing a Khurta - it is from Pakistan. There are lots of shops here that sell them. They range in price from $3 to $300. The pricey ones have the most fabulous beading, rhindstones, and embroidery.
Hi! Thought I'd explain a bit... men who go to Umrah or Hajj don't go around naked - they are just not allowed to wear cloth that has been tailored to fit parts of the body (i.e. like pants or shirts).
So that robe they have wrapped around them is really a very large piece of cloth. And it's not just about being in that cloth; it's a bit like fasting during Ramadhan, when it's more than just about not eating or drinking. It's a state of peace and of abstinence, in preparation for the pilgrimage ahead. This is called an 'Ihraam'.
And btw, men are not allowed to wear underwear, which counts as something that is tailored to fit a part of the body.
Hope that helps! :)
The tent is beautiful, and I love the family photo. A friend tonight was moaning about how she hates being Jewish tomorrow because the fasting is so hard for her. She is very devout and active politically as Jewish American, but the fasting is almost her undoing. ~lmc
Hey Russ - nice garb! When in Rome....looks like your getting into it!
Kathie
OK just looked at the pic that Russell took, the street sign and the stop and go light...are they blue or was it the light and or film?
Stop lights are green - just that the picture was being taken through the windshiels which has tinting.
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