Ramadan. Introduction into the Muslim way of life.

Part of living in a new culture and country, is experiencing the traditions and Ramadan is the first. Ramadan begins either tonight or tomorrow upon the sighting of the new moon, and for the next month Muslims must fast during sunlight. So for the most Muslims that means eating around 4:30am and then fasting until approx 7pm when it gets dark. I have the deepest admiration for these people, I would never survive without food and water for that length of time. Around 7pm families gather for ul-Fitr, the breaking of the fast. There is a huge marquee set up in the hotel grounds for Muslim families to come to, to share, meet and exchange gifts.
The ramifications for our work is that the school holidays have been extended and we can use the next 3 weeks for planning etc. The hotel will serve breakfast behind a screen and close the blinds on the windows, so the Westerners are not visable. Morning tea will be served behind a screen and there will be no food available. It is regarded as very offensive for Westerners to be eating and drinking in view of the public. Meals during the day can be ordered through room service as all food outlets close down. One can not be seen drinking from a drink bottle, even in a car. I'm going to have to be very discrete as we have Muslim teachers and translator in our company. In the last couple of days the malls have been busy due to a huge frenzy of food shopping, similar to us at Christmas time. The other word of warning is not to drive around sunset as everyone hurries to prayer and then to break the fast. And hurry they do, light headed and irritable as well. The malls become a vocal meeting place. This cultural experience will be an exciting and challenging baptism into the UAE life.