Land of Night Owls

For those who thrive on late nights and even later mornings, consider moving to our part of the world. Due to the month of fasting...Ramadan, many people have switched their days with nights. It's true. While enjoying chocolate cakes and fruit drinks, I asked my friend Holly if it was difficult to get up just before imsak in order to eat a hearty meal (that's sunrise). During the fasting season, no one is to eat or drink from sun-up to sun-down. Holly's solution? She sleeps through the day and keeps herself awake at night by visiting with friends and family. It would shock me if she were the only one in this region flipping days for nights.

Even if you are a child, bedtimes are pushed back further for you. A major event happens on the 15th evening of Ramadan. Children go to their family homes for a huge celebration where they receive candy and nuts. Arrival time for kids...around 9pm. And this is a school night! From listening to my friend, it's similar to our Halloween in respect to all of the candy and sugar highs children experience. She, like many parents has her children choose their favorite ones captured in the night and then she passes out the 'left-over' candy to the house helpers. (Most locals employ any number of maids, nanny's, cooks, and drivers.)

It doesn't stop there-- C and I were invited to an evening dinner that begins after the last call to prayer. In case you are wondering, the invitation asks us to arrive around 10:30pm--FOR DINNER. We are encouraged to be there before 11pm to have our name in for random prizes. Hello espresso!

And for my final late night example: The Cleaners. I've been searching for a efficient dry cleaners close to our home after a mishap at our former dry cleaners. They returned the clothes to me ironed, but not washed. Hmmm. In defense of the Asian guy working there, it is actually an option on the ticket for you to bring your clean clothes to the 'cleaners' for ironing only. Can you do that in the States? A new dry cleaning business opened up extremely close to our home, so I brought in a basket of clothes. After going through the ticket options, being certain to check dry clean and iron, I asked the Asian man when I should return for the clothes. He said to come back in two days after 10pm. What? I asked if he was open earlier, and they were indeed open at 8pm. But unfortunately, our order will not be ready until after 10pm. I suppose I should be thankful for that pick-up time seeing as they are open until 1am.

What's to come: Besides later evenings and waiting for job information, C&I have been spending time with friends. In less than 2 weeks, our friend 'AK' is flying over for a quick souq shopping tour, multi-cultural dinning experiences, and duning adventure. We are saddened to watch two families moving on to new journeys in life. Yet, we rejoice with them in their obedience and faithfulness to love all peoples. You can be lifting up C as he will be taking on additional classes in October. Soon after his work load increases, I'll be heading off to India with a few ladies in order to spend time with like-minded sisters. I'm hoping my taste buds don't burn off with all of the spicy food.

That's about all going on in the "Land of the Night Owls". And now...a nap before my 10:30pm dinner.