We be Iftaring…

We are in the middle of Ramadan over here in Dubai.  Ramadan is a Muslim holiday which celebrates the Holy Koran being revealed to Mohammad and therefore given to the world.  During Ramadan Muslim adults refrain from eating, drinking and doing the hanky panky during day light hours for a full month.  Throughout the month you are supposed to work on being patient, practice humility, charity and work on your submissiveness to God.

Our good family friend, Marjie Walters, gave Leighton an outfit and bib for every single holiday during her first year but little did she know we were going to be moving to Dubai… so I made little L this onesie to add to her “1^st” pictures…

 As a Westerner I am not expected to fast during the day, but it is against the law and inconsiderate for me to eat and drink in public while others are fasting around me… I am not even supposed to drink in my car, but I am a rebel and totally sneak sips before and after passing other cars!  There are a few restaurants that get around the law by putting up black drapes in their doors and windows, but they are few and far between.  There are way more in Dubai than other places since Dubai is a little more relaxed and far more western than other places.  I found a Starbucks in Ibn Buttuta Mall that was “open”.  You can enjoy your latte while avoiding the awkward situation of sipping it down in front of a local who hasn’t had a drop of water in 10 hours.   

Anyways, when the sun goes down, Muslims can break their fast in a traditional way by eating a date, praying and then enjoying an Iftar.  Iftar is the evening meal but they have turned into big buffet style dinners and they are a BIG DEAL in Dubai!  Our good friend, Tarek, invited us out to an Iftar the other night and we had a great time.  We enjoyed traditional food; hummus, lamb with rice, tabbouleh, fried cauliflower, shawarma, yummy desserts and much much more!  Jon and I got there shortly before sundown, waited in line, filled our plates and waited.  You can’t eat or drink until the call to prayer, aka the sun set happened… but once it did, silverware was dinging and glasses were clinking.  I think these restaurants have a good thing going because everyone’s stomachs have shrunk throughout the day from fasting so they only eat a little and pay for a lot… it’s a good business model! 

Tarek and little miss sleepy thang…

Leighton was Iftared out when we got home...

Somebody had a little too much fun at their first Iftar the night before!

Until Later…