Ramadan
Wow, it's been a while hasn't it!
The topic of today's blog will come as no surprise to anyone living in Tripoli, or any Muslim country in the month of October. It will be subject number 1 on most of these people's lips.
Before I start, I need to put in a little disclaimer for my new (and very welcome) Muslim readers: I actually think Ramadan is a wonderful thing. What better way to affirm your faith than voluntarily endure a month of starvation and sleep-deprivation. Other religions could learn a lot from such dedication. I know that I couldn't do such a thing - I struggle if I'm without food or drink for more than 20 minutes!
Anyway there is an unfortunate down-side to this tradition: You have 7 million tired, hungry Libyans travelling around the Libya streets all day.
Since my flight back just 24 hours ago, I have seen a big fight down Gurgi Road with 30 angry men rioting down the streets with whatever weapon came to hand (mostly harmless cardboard!). I have nearly lost my car down a hole dug by a sleepy workman who forgot to leave a sign. I have seen taxis driving up the highway at 100 kph in the WRONG DIRECTION to get to a turning quicker and I have seen double the amount of crazy, dangerous driving from any normal day of the year here.
To cap it all, I was driving down a back street in Gargaresh earlier when the car in front suddenly stopped at a junction, put his car in reverse and slammed straight into the front of my car. When he got out he said "I'm very sorry, I didn't see you" as he leaned over my big shiney 15 foot long, 6 footwide Chevolet.
It's near the end of Ramadan, it's not even my car and the poor guy looks shattered so I just said. "Fair enough" unstuck my bumper from his and drove off!
HAPPY EID AL FITR!
The topic of today's blog will come as no surprise to anyone living in Tripoli, or any Muslim country in the month of October. It will be subject number 1 on most of these people's lips.
Before I start, I need to put in a little disclaimer for my new (and very welcome) Muslim readers: I actually think Ramadan is a wonderful thing. What better way to affirm your faith than voluntarily endure a month of starvation and sleep-deprivation. Other religions could learn a lot from such dedication. I know that I couldn't do such a thing - I struggle if I'm without food or drink for more than 20 minutes!
Anyway there is an unfortunate down-side to this tradition: You have 7 million tired, hungry Libyans travelling around the Libya streets all day.
Since my flight back just 24 hours ago, I have seen a big fight down Gurgi Road with 30 angry men rioting down the streets with whatever weapon came to hand (mostly harmless cardboard!). I have nearly lost my car down a hole dug by a sleepy workman who forgot to leave a sign. I have seen taxis driving up the highway at 100 kph in the WRONG DIRECTION to get to a turning quicker and I have seen double the amount of crazy, dangerous driving from any normal day of the year here.
To cap it all, I was driving down a back street in Gargaresh earlier when the car in front suddenly stopped at a junction, put his car in reverse and slammed straight into the front of my car. When he got out he said "I'm very sorry, I didn't see you" as he leaned over my big shiney 15 foot long, 6 footwide Chevolet.
It's near the end of Ramadan, it's not even my car and the poor guy looks shattered so I just said. "Fair enough" unstuck my bumper from his and drove off!
HAPPY EID AL FITR!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home