Breaking the fast

Last night was the first opportunity to "break the fast" even though we are not fasting. The school took us to what they said was the best Lebanese restaurant in the city - Mais Al Ghanim - and I won't argue. We arrived at 6:10 and were invited to sit down at long tables which were already filled with bowls of food, and pitchers of yogurt and fruit drinks. Because the call to prayer had not yet ended, we sat and looked at each other and the food on the table. Once it ended at 6:14 (official sunset time), then everyone started in on the feast.

The first course delivered bowls of salad, hummus, baba gannoush, tabbouleh, raita, and of course warm pitas. To drink, there was a tart yogurt, a sweet apricot juice, or a flat Dr. Pepper-tasting concoction. This of course would have been enough for a meal. In the next course, skewered lamb, beef, and grilled chicken were served with french fries. To drink, fresh kiwi, strawberry, apple, and lemon mint juices were served. I could drink gallons of the lemonade. Lastly, dessert consisted of yummy, sticky, deep-fried, cheese and honey pastries along with a fruit platter and strong Arabic coffee or tea was served. Needless to say, I was still full this morning. (We still haven't found an exercise outlet either).

Today is the end of Ramadan and tomorrow is the start of Eid Al-Fitr. The goal is to read through the entire Quran during five daily calls to prayer (which sometimes come in the middle of the night (there is a mosque nearby that I have sometimes woken up to in the predawn hour). For the past month, Muslims have abstained from smoking, drinking, and eating from sunrise to sunset. Then, they then gorge themselves when the sun goes down but who among us can blame them? I am pretty sure I could not fast from food for twelve hours, let alone not drinking water and especially in this climate.

Breaking the fast is a time to get together with family and friends and whether it is at home or in public, the visiting goes on quite late. As a result, working hours are shortened, and shops and restaurants are often open until the wee hours of the morning.

We have the next five days off before faculty reconvenes on Sunday. We will undoubtedly be going in to school to work on our own, but we are looking forward to the unscheduled time.