Fasting and the Furious

How I keep myself entertained in village....

Just when I thought the days couldn’t get any longer, Ramadan began and the sun seemed that much more content with staying out. By the time this blog is published it will be, if not over, coming to an end. And I will be happily on my way back to the Peace Corps training center for two weeks of In-Service Training (IST). For those who have been following, my first three months at site were to be devoted to language learning and trying as best as I could to integrate into the community. To what degree that goal has been accomplished? I’m sure the answer to that is completely subjective, but for me to have lived without running water or electricity for almost three months has got to count for something…right? Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve taken breaks at the regional house where I’m able to regain my sanity by cooking delicious meals, watching classic films (including but not limited to Cruel Intentions, Center Stage, and Titanic), and of course trying my best to keep up with Kim and Kanye online.  But as these first three months are coming to an end, I’m eager to get a little more training in and hopefully solidify a few project ideas.

Today marks the twenty-third day of Ramadan. Not that it makes much of a difference to me seeing as I am not fasting, but I’m looking forward to getting back to a more regular schedule. I’ve been eating both breakfast and lunch with the kids and occasionally my sisters when they are “tired” of fasting. Living in the most southern region of Senegal has its advantages of being less conservative and I think that’s played a big part in why my sisters have been so “tired” of fasting as of late. It actually seems as if with each passing day a new person has checked out of Ramadan mode and consequently the lunch bowl is becoming that much more crowded. Even though the days seem to be extremely drawn out, the evenings of Ramadan are quite enjoyable. Everyone breaks fast at around 7:30pm when the sun goes down and the fourth call-to-prayer of the day sounds. It’s fun to sit with my family at this time, as I know they’re anxiously awaiting the Imam’s voice over the loud speaker. Once it sounds they all jump to their feet with a renewed sense of energy as I sit cheering for them, “Eat! Eat!” After everyone breaks fast with the usual soupy-corn-porridge, more appetizing than it sounds, the greetings begin. Everyone greets each other by last name and the kids will usually walk around to other compounds to greet the families while my older sisters finish making dinner and my dad makes more tea. There’s a real sense of community during this time as everyone is socializing and meals are exchanged between families. By the time dinner is over it’s about ten o’clock and way past my bedtime. Consequently I have been going to bed on a full stomach and growing a little rice belly…which is a bit ironic for it being Ramadan. The sighting of the new moon will mark the end of Ramadan and there is still speculation as to whether that will be on the 19^th or 20^th of August. I will be reporting back on all the end of Ramadan festivities as soon as possible, but until then I will be happily eating my soupy-corn-porridge while I wait for the new moon to make its grand appearance.