Ramadan

So it's Ramadan... It's the Islamic month of fasting. For one month, no one eats or drinks or smokes cigs from sun up to sun down. I am kinda fasting, too. It's really haram (forbidden) to eat or drink in public, and in an effort to see what it's like, I've been not eating for the majority of the day. At sundown, the mosque gives a call to prayer, and everyone has Iftar dinner. The streets are empty, the whole town is silent, and all you can hear is the scraping of plates and chewing. Well, not really. It's kinda cool, but it's also tough in Safi, since it's still real hot, and I definitely need water all day, and I can't imagine how everyone goes without water all day.
My center's hours have decreased significantly. My favorite scene from Ramadan was a few days ago at the center....Nabila, the tea lady, her daughter, and my counterpart were all passed out for a couple hours in the office. I was reading, and my other coworker was playing Spider Solitare. One girl showed up for English class, so I postponed it. I really wish I had my camera. It was quite a sight. But sleeping all day is totally normal. Most businesses shut down for the afternoon, buses are scarce, and the markets are packed in the afternoons.
After Ramadan is the Eid celebration, three or four day national holiday with feasts and festivals. Can't wait for that.
Other than that, things are going well. I've managed to make a few friends in Safi, so I'm feeling more like a part of the community. I still have tons of alone time, which I beginning to enjoy more and more.
Anyways, I have to get a move on to the center soon, so I must end this. I'll try to post again this weekend, but it's tough to get a bus during Ramadan to Karak, and God knows my internet center probably won't be open when I want it to be.
Niki-sorry the yankees lost, but congrats on the Red Sox losing.
Everyone else, thank you so much for the emails!! I was so pleased when I opened my email.
Peace in the middle east. ;-)