4th August 2012
Ramadan - Gazira 2012
Ramadan is quite different here on the West bank than in the town of Luxor.
I visited Mohamed's family in Ramla by the Nile to take to them a nice amount of charity clothing kindly collected by my sister. I had what they call a Ramadan Breakfast with them. It was a simply meal consisting of dates, fried potato wedges, aubergines, peppers, a bean sauce dish, salad and pitta bread. There was also plenty of mango juice. They told be that around 3:00-am to 3:30-am in the morning, they have a main meal and then nothing until 6:30-pm that evening.
Ramadan - Gazira 2012
Ramadan is quite different here on the West bank than in the town of Luxor.
I visited Mohamed's family in Ramla by the Nile to take to them a nice amount of charity clothing kindly collected by my sister. I had what they call a Ramadan Breakfast with them. It was a simply meal consisting of dates, fried potato wedges, aubergines, peppers, a bean sauce dish, salad and pitta bread. There was also plenty of mango juice. They told be that around 3:00-am to 3:30-am in the morning, they have a main meal and then nothing until 6:30-pm that evening.
I had a welcoming kiss from "Blood" when I arrived but during the meal I had him spitting at me, punched me in the eye and was throwing food all over me; good job I was not wearing my Friday best.
During the afternoon in Gazira, it is like a ghost town with no people and everywhere closed.
After sunset about 7:00-pm the local people lay out mats on the pavements to take their breakfasts. There are many groups of people from as little as three and up to twelve or so, all enjoying a breakfast. It was humbling to see them. I went out this evening with the intention of taking some photos. Naturally I always ask if it is ok to take pictures. I had nothing to worry about as far as offending these people at Ramadan. They were incredibly friendly, polite and they even invited me to join them in their meal. It was a wonderful atmosphere of which I felt I wanted to go back and take it in some more, and indeed I did. Most of the locals taking breakfast were the owners of the shops; I recognised the fruit and veg man. In one of my first photos there was this lovely boy, he was the nephew of the butchers next door. He introduced himself to me as Mohamed, and while I sat talking to a friend I knew, Mohamed came to me with some cakes. Ah! He speaks amazingly good English for a fourteen year old (so small).
After Breakfast and it is dark by then, the village starts to come alive. There are many food stalls on the pavements offering their products for the Ramadan evening and the shops open. The village has banners and decorations up for this celebration and everyone is so happy. The locals have a good time during the evening and start to go home at around 3:00-am. I hear them.
It ceases to amaze me of these peoples friendliness, politeness and hospitality and especially at a time when things are particularly hard. It really is what makes living here just a pleasure for me.