Ramadan 2009

As if 120-degree weather (that's 48.9 C for you metric folks) weren't bad enough, we are going to be arriving in Abu Dhabi about five days before the start of Ramadan.

I'm sure you're all curious as to what Ramadan actually means, so I'll tell you:

According to the Ramadan Awareness Campaign, it's from an old Arabic word meaning "scorching heat."  How appropriate that this year it will occur during the scorching month of August.

We're not muslim, but there are elements of Ramadan that will necessarily affect us while we're in the UAE.  For instance:

• We can't drink (not even water!), smoke, eat, or chew gum in public or in front of muslims during daylight hours.  That includes in our car.
• We'll be working approximately two hours a day less than normally.
• We'll have to cover up our shoulders and legs when out in public (so my husband won't be able to wander the streets wearing his usual wife-beater).
• Many bars and restaurants, particularly the food courts in shopping malls, will be closed during the day.
• There won't be any live music or dancing.

But there WILL be sales.  Lots and lots of sales.

So if you want to find us between 20 August and 18 September (approximately), I suggest you look in the furniture stores.