The sandstorms are gone, the dust is settling, the winds have blown all the polution and haze out of the air, and today we woke up to a beautiful morning. In addition to the palpable sense of excitement about the coming shift in the weather, the city is also anticipating the end of Ramadan with a celebration called Eid al Fitr (the Festival to Break the Fast). The last day of Ramadan will be determined by the sightings of the new moon. In this part of the world, the end of Ramadan and the sightings of the moon are determined by a committee in Saudi Arabia. So, tonight, they will look at the moon to determine if tomorrow (Friday) will be the last day of Ramadan. We'll have reportings in the news to tell us what the committee has seen. If so, the Eid celebration will be on Saturday and Sunday. In our office, Saturday is already a weekend day (it is not in all companies), so we'll have an extra day off on Sunday. It is possible the committee will say that Ramadan will last one more day and that means the Eid celebrations start on Sunday and Monday (so, two extra days off in the office). For those who aren't fasting, they're hoping for the extra day. But for those observing the practices of fasting, this has been a long month and I'm sure they are ready for the festivities and breaking the fast.
Honestly, the fasting period is a great endurance and test. Many people in the office look very tired. I could see that after a week or so your body gets used to only having food in the early morning and after sunset. But I think that having nothing to drink (especially in our heat) is especially draining and a challenge to the body. I just can't see, even if you drink gallons of water after sunset, that you could replenish your body with enough fluids.
Either way, if Eid starts on Saturday or Sunday, I've taken the week off from work (it is mid-term week for Lyra) and we're going to Istanbul, Turkey. I had posted earlier how much I liked that city. So, we're headed back. I'm looking forward to the autumnal weather and being in the vibe of a cosmopolitan city.
More information on Eid al Fitr
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/eidulfitr.shtml
http://holidays.net/ramadan/eid.htm
http://holidays.net/ramadan/eid.htm
1 comment:
I've checked the weather for Istanbul-looks like you got some of your Autumn weather you've been longing for. Today (Friday Oct.19 just about 10AM), it's a cool 55 and rainy in Tosa. Nice weekend weather forcasted, low 70's.
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