My other Ramadan discoveries...

Well, well everything comes to an end and we are nearly there: the end of Ramadan. So what have I discovered? Well not much. I think what surprises me the most is that I haven't really felt it was Ramadan. Of course there are small things here and there - but in my daily life, there hasn't been anything that really stuck out. I don't know why I expected it to be so different... that's the way it is when you discover a new culture, isn't it? Surprises.

For one thing, I am happy that it is coming to an end: the traffic has become horrendous. I have the impression that people are even more aggressive than usual. People are just doing dummer and dummer things.

Check that out... one way street? no! they just can't be bothered waiting, even though the traffic is not moving on the other road either. I usually see smaller versions of this, but there were 4 lanes created today! - good that nobody wanted to go in the other direction.
One of the things that I have noticed is the number of poor people whom have been in West Amman during Ramadan. The rest of the year there aren't really any poor on the streets, begging for food or money - but during the Holly month it has been much more noticeable. I guess they are coming here because of the more charitable spirit there is during this period.

Something I knew but that I just didn't think to do anything about: stock up on some wine! I will remember next year. I have lived with gin and tonic for the past month. Not the worse that could happen, but let's be honest it has its limitations and doesn't go that well with food. And I who could finally enjoy a small glass of wine since I have stopped breastfeeding. Yep all liquor stores are completely shut - the one in Cozmo is even hidden behind shelves.

Usually kids have been playing during the night outside, but this morning I saw them running around and playing football at 5:45 when Bibs got me out of bed.

To some more serious stuff. All days during Ramadan are Holy and out of all days during this month (and the rest of the year) yesterday was the holiest of all. It was Laylat Al Qadr (the Night of Power): the revelation of the Koran to the Prophet Mohammed - it is celebrated on the eve of the 27th day of Ramadan. Well, it could be any odd night in the last ten days of Ramadan - but the 27th id even more likely than the other dates - I think have understood that correctly. So there are even more prayers on this night and the prayers are for the forgiveness of sins.

And then comes Eid Al Fatr, the Festival of Fast-breaking: it is probably Thursday - it depends again of the sighting of the crescent moon, like the beginning of Ramadan. So what happens? Well, there are 3 days of celebration and these are public holidays. Apart from that I don't really know, I have to discover... alone because ohh Bobs is working, as usual. You gotta love this Hotel business.

Tomorrow we are going for Iftar - finally, Bobs had promised to take me (he couldn't really wait any longer!!), so I'll bring back some pictures and a story about that...

Preparing the move

6 weeks today that we arrived to Amman and finally we are moving... today, tomorrow... don't know but it is happening and that's fabulous :)

Yesterday as I was packing, Bibs was looking very couriously at me while one toy after the other went back into the suitcase. She must have been wondering, what's happening now? Why are they disappearing ... again! So nearly everything is packed, just waiting with the last few things. They had some trouble starting the boiler - so we are waiting for the hot water to reach the taps and then we are out of here!

We have been to Carrefour to buy some pots, pans and other necessities we need until we get our things delivered, which should happen on sunday. Price wise: Tefal pans are between 15-20JD depending on the size, pots the same. I bought a mixer/blender for 33JD (promotion), for cooking accesories like wooden spoons and things like that, count between 2-5JD depending on what you want. Food wise prices are not terribly expensive except improted cheese, creme fraiche, ham... for exemple the tiniest pot of creme fraiche (1dl I guess) is 3.5JD and then wine as well: don't think you get a bottle under 10JD. Carrefour doesn't sell alcohol. You have a small shop inside Cozmo or you have to buy it from liquor stores - I haven't seen many but there is one at 5th circle. No special licence is required (like in UAE, for exemple).
I have to say it was quite a feeling to put things in cupboards and the fridge again. Simple things of life can make one very happy.

Thought I would share a couple a pictures of the apartment. As you can see it is not fully furnished -some things have happened since I took the pictures: the furniture in the right place, some plants, a coffee table... but still it gives you an idea.

The entrance to the building

The living/dining room

What is now Bibs' play area

Living Room 2 - and the TV was already there...

Kitchen - dishwasher supposed to arrive today! Oh and the tap is up as well!!

And I have to add that the pantry does have windows as well - I was exagerating in my previous post! I absolutely love all the sliding doors, that was one of the things we nearly all the apartments we visited - the apartments in the older buildings tend to be a bit dark.

I won't have an internet connection to begin with - apparently we have to wait for our residency to get it installed so it may take some time. So I don't really know how I will manage to get my posts online. Will have to find a cafe somewhere where there is Wifi!