Ain Souhkna and Ramadan

Life here is finally starting to develop a routine and I've been able to explore a little, esp since Mondro is here.

One of our first stops was to see the ball park here in Ma'adi. It is quite the experience since you can wear shorts, eat hotdogs and drink beer. Once you enter the park you might forget you are in Egypt... until the call to prayer sounds out, echoing around the sound of the cracking bat.

I have a grocery store, a pet store, and a fruit/veg stand I like that are all a short walk from the apartment. We also found a dry cleaner (they pickup and deliver and are super cheap, 9 items for six dollars). However, I still feel very new to the area and like I need some down time to really get settled into the apartment, to start some routines and daily rituals, like the studio.


We went to the Red Sea last weekend and before that, into Cairo a couple times on the train, once for an art opening.















Ramadan began Saturday while we were in Ain Soukhna, a beach resort off the coast of the Red Sea. It was a very relaxing trip. I did absolutely nothing other than sun by the pool and on the beach. The breeze coming off the water was great.



Mondro took lots of photos and was nice enough to share 'em. He took this one of the billboard from the bus window.







During Ramadan everyone fasts during the day, even small children. There is no eating or drinking, not even water or bread, from sun up (around 4:30 a.m. people will get up to break the fast) to sun down (most eat again around 7:00 p.m.). .

..But then come the nightly parties when the fast is broken and tons of food is consumed. I'm pretty much ready for bed by the time the partying begins, so it hasn't effected me too much. During the month of Ramadan the work day is an hour shorter (yeehaw) and most businesses close early. The one liquor store in town will be closed for the entire month. Good thing I had Mondro make that trip with me to Duty Free. Although I haven't been drinking much at all, even at the beach.

The other obvious result of Ramadan is that our students are sleepy from staying up even later than the culture is already accustomed to, that they are grouchy from no food, and that I eat on the sly. Obviously, nonmuslims are the minority and out of respect should refrain from eating or drinking in public during the day. Leah has decided to try this Muslim version of fasting for at least a week. So, that's my experience of Ramadan, so far, all two days it... I'll leave you with some more photos of Ain Soukhna.


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Photo credit goes to Mondro for the photo of Arthur and I, the subway photos, the ballpark photo, the raft photo and these last photos of yours truly. Thanks man! :)