Today marks the official end of Ramadan. For Muslims, Ramadan is the holiest month in the calendar which is commenced and concluded at the sighting of the 9th and 10th new moons. During this time, eating, drinking, smoking, and sex are not permitted between sunrise and sunset. Muslims are also expected to put more effort into the teachings of Islam and refrain from anger, envy, and greed. For the rest of us, out of respect we are asked to refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking in public (including your car). Many restaurants are closed during the day, the ones that remain open have big curtains drawn around them so nobody can see inside. Live entertainment is also prohibited, including DJs, though at least after 7pm many bars still serve alcohol. Local TV and radio is even worse than usual too, though I must admit to finding a bent appeal in watching some of the historical Arabic soaps.
Over the past few months I've heard many expats make a big deal about the restrictions during Ramadan, though in practice I can't say it was really much inconvenience. Sure, there were those mornings where I almost fell asleep at the wheel not being able to have my usual morning caffeine shot in the car, but otherwise life was just a little more relaxed. The hardest thing I found was the no live entertainment thing, especially the other day after reading Eye Weekly's Toronto concert listings the other week - can you believe I missed Iron Maiden again? The horror.
Now that things are getting back to normal (and by normal I mean hectic Dubai pace) at least there are some good concerts coming up on the radar ... Groove Armada, Danny Howells, Bob Sinclair and Mylo, just to name a few. Sure, it ain't much, but it's something.
Over the past few months I've heard many expats make a big deal about the restrictions during Ramadan, though in practice I can't say it was really much inconvenience. Sure, there were those mornings where I almost fell asleep at the wheel not being able to have my usual morning caffeine shot in the car, but otherwise life was just a little more relaxed. The hardest thing I found was the no live entertainment thing, especially the other day after reading Eye Weekly's Toronto concert listings the other week - can you believe I missed Iron Maiden again? The horror.
Now that things are getting back to normal (and by normal I mean hectic Dubai pace) at least there are some good concerts coming up on the radar ... Groove Armada, Danny Howells, Bob Sinclair and Mylo, just to name a few. Sure, it ain't much, but it's something.