Mint Leaves. Photo by Totsymae. Copyright 2012
I was only good for two whole days of Ramadan. I just couldn’t not eat anything past sun-up on account that I couldn’t wake myself up at 4 a.m. to eat. Eating at 7:20 p.m. was too late too. I usually eat dinner around 4, so I guess you can say I couldn’t make the adjustment. Eating that late, when I woke up, I felt as if I’d just pushed back from the table the next morning and I wasn’t eating that much on an empty stomach. Interestingly enough, one of the Muslim women said her stomach felt really full in the mornings too.
There’s one Muslim chick here from South Africa who tickles me. I asked her, “How do you go without the water?” ’cause I kinda figured she wasn’t and she wasn’t. She told me while walking real fast to her villa, “I’m getting to my place as soon as I can. Going without water in this heat is not normal.” The other part is that right before Ramadan, her beau-friend flew in from Germany and she took the day off while everybody was off the compound. Need I say more? She’s going to the Phillipines soon to the beach and one Muslim woman asked her did she wear a bikini. The South African told her yeah but she’s gonna quit soon. I don’t know if she says that about smoking cigarettes too. It’s none of my business.
Another Muslim chick here, from the U.K., won’t eat in front of folks during fasting time but once she gets back to her villa, before sundown mind you, it’s on like a bag of popcorn. She ain’t stuttin’ no fast, okay? I reckon it’s just as hard for them as it was for me. What I find among the Muslim women here is that they’re very concerned about what others, especially Muslims, think of them. It’s always, “People are going to think…” or “What did they say about me?” They don’t like being on the outs with each other but they have just as many issues among each other than anybody else.
You’re not supposed to gossip either during Ramadan but they still do it. One Muslim chick was asked why she liked Ramadan the other evening at this dinner we went to at another woman’s place. The food was bumdiggety damn good too, by the way. Well, the Muslim chick went, ”Because it’s all about Allah, doing well, having a clean heart, not gossiping…” and yaddah damn yaddah. Lying self! She’s been talking about folk the whole time. I even stayed away from her at work so she could be a good Muslim woman during Ramadan but she’d come over to my villa some evenings talking about folks. Shit, folks are folks, just wearing a different costume.
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
You have the most amazing stories while you are there. But if you’re a good story teller you’d be good everywhere!
Love,
Jodi
Thank you, Jodi. I’ve got more where those came from. All in good time though. Glad you enjoy the stories.
Love,
Tots
Folks are folks. Ramadan excuse #1: If you’re inside in the dark how do you know the sun isn’t down?
And how do you know your panties are wrong side out? Feel through the darkness, I reckon.
Oh yeah, folks are folks. Kind of comforting, isn’t it?
Guess I had to witness this for myself, in their natural habitat.
The truth will set us all free, isn’t that what is said? You have certainly spoken a universal truth, ‘folks are folks’.
I love your storytelling, which I do not view as gossiping but rather life observation.
Well, I did share some gossip with another Muslim chick today. I don’t know if I went looking for it or she was just eager to gadabout but I think it lasted a good 2 hours. I’m exhausted myself.
Glad you enjoy these little stories. I’ll continue observing.
I agree with you and the other commenters — folks are folks. Wish we’d remember that, like all the damn time!
Amen. We’re more alike than different and nothing’s wrong with that. Folk need to stop walking around like their shit don’t stank. It stanks no matter whose bottom it’s coming from.
There’s only one race.. The Human Race …
I hear that a lot, Cherry but in the everyday grind, folk don’t think on that level. It’s a rat race and on the way to the finish line, there will always be a good segment of folk who think they’re better for one reason or another. Not my doing. Just my observation.
Absolutely agree with you Totsymae but still we need to keep reminding ourselves because we have more similarities than differences.. enjoying laughter is one of them which is why I keep visitng your blog
Oh and it’s Helen by the way ;D
Is Cherry not the tail end of your name or you made it up?
Oh no Cherry is my surname
I didn’t make it up… married a man with that name but kept it after we divorced ‘cus I liked it.. I often get called Cherry as my first name because people often think it is.. sorry I thought you were doing that!! I’m not used to being called by my surname unless someone is cross at me.. I better look out !
Not being cross at all. Just military talk.
aha !!
In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus teaches that it is not laws, and rules, and rituals that make us “good” but simply how we treat others.
I know the parable. It’s a good one to follow. It seems it’s about appearances too, at least for this group. Rituals are just things to remember to do, whereas as being a good samaritin becomes a natual part of who you are.
I think trying to be good is about as important as actually being good.
That’s all we can do. I can’t remember all the other stuff.
I’d stick with Christianity, At least you get to eat chocolate bunnies on one of their major holidays
I’ll leave you with the bunnies and all that. I’m sure you could make a right nice cartoon of the whole bunny scene.
I wish this entire NW Alabama town would be forced to observe the “no gossipping” Ramadan precept for just ONE DAY!
I think gossip is universal but one day would be good. I can accept that.
I was just thinking that as I was reading….We are pretty much all the same aren’t we?
Just livin’ in different places and speaking different languages. Xxx
Yes, we are. And you’ve not heard the worst of it. The thing about Muslims is that it’s a very ritualistic practice and appearances are very important. They don’t like it when others do things openly against their faith and they will have private talks with the offender, in order for their faith to be better represented. They will always say things like, “Muslims don’t do that,” but whatever is humanly possible, it goes across cultural, racial and religious lines. There is no single thing that is exceptional and to make such a claim, as I see it, would only be an assumption.
“just wearing a different costume”. I like that.
Pretty much. Hope your friend, Victor, is fairing well over this way. I’m sure he’s been able to exercise more freedom than I have. It’s been prison here for us.
Have you seen his posts? He’s gone middle aged crazy! He’s scuba diving to get his open water certification or something. I haven’t been following very closely, but enough to know that Mr. Victor has been liberated from whatever restraints he knew before KSA! Ha Ha You need to join HIM.
Scuba diving??!! Although I’m not a water person, I envy that if I were, I’d still not be able to do it from where I sit.
I have to ask him where he is. I guess he goes on diving trips. He’s in a good position if you have to be in that part of the world. I think they offered him lots of perks to get him over there. He lived in Manhattan and is a neurosurgeon, so I’m sure he is accustomed to the good life! You wouldn’t guess it since he is a very humble man. And a sweetheart. Nope, I didn’t see any prospects for a drop of water where you are. My Che would like it since he bathes in lava dust!
Wherever he is, sounds like one lucky dude. This must be like heaven for him, leaving the busy north. Saudi’s very laid back. No hurry for nothing, even when there needs to be a hurry for something.