This year we decided to stay in town during Ramadan despite my fear that I would rack up fines left and right. Ramadan began at the end of June (we're in the home stretch now!). Every year it moves up a week or two but it always lasts 30 days. I was quite nervous going into Ramadan this year. Dubai by no means is the strictest of the cities, but they definitely take the holy month seriously and expect everyone to do the same, whether you are fasting or not.
Dealing with Ramadan during one of the hottest months of the year is not ideal. All restaurants/cafes are closed until sunset. Very few places are open (Starbucks) but offer take away only. To consume food or beverage in public (which includes your vehicle) is against the law. So going to the Mall to escape the heat, isn't much of an escape during Ramadan. Of course children are exempt from the "no eating in public" rule, but I've been hearing some troubling stories from moms being told to feed their children in the bathrooms, not in public. Gross.
I'm proud to say that we managed to stay under the radar for the past 3 weeks. Riya and I have been getting extremely bored at home, but we packed in play dates as much as possible with the few friends that are still here over the summer.
I kind of like the quiet that seeps through the city during Ramadan. Its pretty calm during the day and the roads are empty. I'm happy we got to venture out and experience Iftar (breaking fast) and Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). Ram and I stayed up way past our bedtime for this experience (2AM) but it was fun. Also proof that we're not that old.
One of the most famous tents was booked for the entire month, they said we would have to come at 9pm to get on the waiting list but we wouldn't be seated before midnight. Um, no, thanks! So we went to another popular place for Suhoor at the Atlantis Hotel on the Palm.
Every year many of the hotels build elaborate air-conditioned tents to seat 800-1,000 people. The tents include a la carte menus, shisha, all the fresh juice and tea you want, and live entertainment. All the tents have a minimum spend of $30-$40/pp but their prices are marked up so high, you easily go way over.
We started the evening at Asif & Dima's place for Iftar. Asif's mom was still in town, so she cooked us an elaborate feast. I'm sad I didn't take any pictures but it was so good. Then at about 9:00pm we headed off to the hotel for Suhoor. (Suhoor doesn't start till 9:30/10pm and lasts until 2am). Already stuffed, we struggled to order food off the menu but managed to meet our minimum by ordering lots and lots of juice and tea. (Alcohol is not served). We also learned a new card game that is commonly played during this time of year. Before we knew it it was time to go home!
Next week is the last week of Ramadan and then we are off to the US of A!
Dealing with Ramadan during one of the hottest months of the year is not ideal. All restaurants/cafes are closed until sunset. Very few places are open (Starbucks) but offer take away only. To consume food or beverage in public (which includes your vehicle) is against the law. So going to the Mall to escape the heat, isn't much of an escape during Ramadan. Of course children are exempt from the "no eating in public" rule, but I've been hearing some troubling stories from moms being told to feed their children in the bathrooms, not in public. Gross.
I'm proud to say that we managed to stay under the radar for the past 3 weeks. Riya and I have been getting extremely bored at home, but we packed in play dates as much as possible with the few friends that are still here over the summer.
I kind of like the quiet that seeps through the city during Ramadan. Its pretty calm during the day and the roads are empty. I'm happy we got to venture out and experience Iftar (breaking fast) and Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). Ram and I stayed up way past our bedtime for this experience (2AM) but it was fun. Also proof that we're not that old.
One of the most famous tents was booked for the entire month, they said we would have to come at 9pm to get on the waiting list but we wouldn't be seated before midnight. Um, no, thanks! So we went to another popular place for Suhoor at the Atlantis Hotel on the Palm.
Every year many of the hotels build elaborate air-conditioned tents to seat 800-1,000 people. The tents include a la carte menus, shisha, all the fresh juice and tea you want, and live entertainment. All the tents have a minimum spend of $30-$40/pp but their prices are marked up so high, you easily go way over.
We started the evening at Asif & Dima's place for Iftar. Asif's mom was still in town, so she cooked us an elaborate feast. I'm sad I didn't take any pictures but it was so good. Then at about 9:00pm we headed off to the hotel for Suhoor. (Suhoor doesn't start till 9:30/10pm and lasts until 2am). Already stuffed, we struggled to order food off the menu but managed to meet our minimum by ordering lots and lots of juice and tea. (Alcohol is not served). We also learned a new card game that is commonly played during this time of year. Before we knew it it was time to go home!
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| Most delicious Morrocan tea I've had |
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| Hard to tell but the entire trunk was made of dates |
What a cool cultural experience (the feasting, not the fasting...:)! I wish summers were slow and quiet around here. San Fran is one of the most popular tourists destinations in the summer so it's crazy busy. I just stick to the 'burbs:)
ReplyDeleteLuke will be soooo jelly of the tents full of shisha! It's scary that not even water is allowed during fasting even with all of that heat. Yikes!
ReplyDelete