doha daily 10/22/06

ramadan tent at four seasons hotel

Today is the 30th and FINAL day of Ramadan. It was announced in the paper this morning that Eid Al Fitr will officially begin tomorrow. Which for me (and everyone else) means, BACK TO NORMAL!!! Tomorrow, most stores are closed all day, but will re-open with normal hours Tuesday. So today, after spending the morning at the Hotel’s pool and thinking the grocery stores were even closed tomorrow, Tristan and I trekked off to Carrefour to stock up on a few food items. The store was so crowded it was as if they had announced a blizzard was coming and one had better stock up on extra batteries. I had to practically stalk a man in the parking lot to find a space. And when leaving and asking the clerk if Carrefour was indeed closed tomorrow as everyone has been telling me, she replied, “No Madam, tomorrow, open regular hours.” Oh well, chock it up to the rumor-mill that, “Everything is closed the first day of Eid, even the grocery stores!!!” At least now, I do not have to go back : ). Eid is technically a three-day holiday, but since the exact date is not known until almost up to the day before, it is stretched conveniently to 5 working days and with two weekends, that makes a total of 10 days. Most of my friends here have taken off for quick and easy exotic getaways – at least, those friends who work in the oil industry. Hotels never close, hence, we have stayed in Doha. Tonight’s iftar must be something as it is the last one after 30 days of fasting. Fasting begins at age 12, but I met a Qatari man at the Four Seasons Hotel who’s daughter is 7 and has been successfully fasting this Ramadan. He was very proud. He told me that his family wakes up every day at 3:45a to eat because by 4:15a the sun is starting to rise. They then go back to sleep and into work by 10:00a – at the start of Ramadan, iftar (breaking of the fast) occurred at 5:30p. It has now been happening closer to 5:00p as it is getting dark earlier.

Thierry and I had the pleasure of meeting Manzoor, the Qatari gentleman, Wednesday evening at the Ramadan tent of the Four Seasons Hotel. We met up on our motorcycles with 40 other bikes at 9:45p for a dinner reservation at 10:00p. Thierry was in his element; let me tell you – it has been a looooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg time since I’ve heard the “roar” of more than just the two of our bikes together. Although it is still 40-43C (104-109F) degrees during the day, the ride home at midnight was actually pleasant. The amount of traffic on the road at that time was wild, as people during Ramadan regularly come home late late from dining with friends and family. Manzoor told me that the Ramadan tents now found among the hotels in Qatar are much more commercial (influence coming from Egypt and Lebanon) than traditional tents. The traditional tent normally includes just extended family where holy discussions are held. The Four Season’s tent included a variety of entertainment, a gentleman playing a citar, dancers, etc…It was great to experience – there was a large buffet with a large variety of food with elaborate table ornamentation. People were eating late, drinking juice and smoking shisha. It was very lively. Needless to say, I was a bit tired by the end of the meal.

a member of the qatar chapter - he is also wearing patches from saudi arabia as well as bahrain and beruit

Our compound is gearing up for Halloween! There is “town meeting” Tuesday am which I will attend with all of the other expat ladies, and although there are no pumpkin patches here the spirit seems to be alive and kicking. We need to do our American duty and represent, so Tristan will be trick-or-treating as if we were on Madison Street in Pasadena (heh heh, we hope).

See you!

GO CARDINALS!!!