Today was quite fruitful, as a number of things happened that will allow me to further plan my time here. First, and most importantly, I got my residence permit AND my Qatari ID!!!! :) This allows me to explore my world here, which really means that now I can get everything I need to start an actual life here. Now I can get my license, phone, internet, and car....ahhh....the bliss....
Now, I know I'm making this sound like it's going to be oh so easy, but, alas, nothing comes that easily for now it is Ramadan (Ramadan Kareem to you Muslims reading this!!!!), and EVERYWHERE is on "Ramadan Hours", which mostly means that they're not open. Including the US Embassy. Oh wait, I stand corrected. The US Embassy, where I had an appointment scheduled today, which they failed to cancel, only to be told that they're closed today for Labor Day, and they're closed tomorrow. Then, for Ramadan, they're only open from 10am-12pm on certain days. SERIOUSLY??!! What's even better is that when I tried to make another appointment, they told me I couldn't make one because I already have one, which again doesn't make sense because they're not open, so why let me make the appointment??? Anyway, I finally worked out a time, and a driver, to get to the Embassy, but I've got to miss some work to make it happen between 10-12pm. I need my police clearance, so what's a girl to do?
In essence, for the next month, everything has "limited hours" during the day, which can mean a number of things, but it mostly means that services are hard to get, and the items on my "to do" list will take longer to get checked off. One is also not allowed to eat/drink in public during the daylight hours, in front of others, which is fine by me, as I fast along side the rest of 'em. I highly suggest doing this, as it really does make one feel better at the end of a month. Drink plenty of water throughout the night, however, of thirst will get you. I am always surprised by the number of Christians that are from the Middle East who fast every year by choice. Quite a bonding experience : )
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Gorecki Symphony No. 3
9 years ago
1 comment:
Do Muslims eat oysters? :-)
Have you gotten all those other necessary papers, permissions, and various authorizations? I hope I'm not in for as much run-around when I get to Brussels in a few weeks. The extent of the visa process took me by surprise, so I feel prepared for long waits and rigamarole (yet am oh-so-hoping that's not the way it will go) . . .
During Ramadan, you do eat a meal at night, right? I've done very short fasts (one-two days) with lots of water and (sometimes) fruit juice. Those were a long time ago and culminated in a sweat lodge. I do remember feeling better immediately afterwards - there was the discipline of not eating, all that sweating, and then the pleasures of taste, texture and satiation.
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