Week 22 and 23: Solo our City & Ramadan

Here is a map of the city that we spend the majority of our time in. It is a large geographical area. We are so lucky to have a driver that drives us from one end of town and back then, criss-cross and back and forth without a complaint. This week we purchased the map to be able to get more of an idea where people live. In Utah we can always find the mountains and know exactly where we are.  The landmarks here are more subtle. Mt. Merape is most often hidden behind hazy warm skies. 

This day instead of walking, we waved for a quick ride  

We are experiencing 30 days of Ramadan in Indonesia. The Muslim people 360 days are called to prayer 5 times a day. It is a beautiful sound and often melodic. During Ramadan the faithful people participate in a daily fast from 4am to 6pm every day for 30 days. No Food and drink. This takes incredible faith and self discipline to not eat for 12 hours of daylight every day for 30 days. Even people that are in poor health desire to seek permission to fast from Drs. and Imam’s. This calendar year Ramadan is from May 16-June 16. There is a definite change as we go about our days as the bustling food street carts are mostly empty waiting for 6pm. These are photos of a family that prepare a cookie type crepe with chocolate or banana that they sell in small carts. During Ramadan they only sell in the evening.

We are respectful and do not drink or eat in front of others on the streets. There are cookies and food packaged in the stores for Ramadan holiday celebration for families when they gather and prepare and eat their meals at the end of the day. There is a huge day for a feast at the end of Ramadan 30 days something like Thanksgiving. Families gather from all ends of Indonesia to their hometowns and it is a national holiday. Where we live there are 10 floors of apartments and 15 floors of hotel rooms. Last night there was a large group of family and friends that had a great party around the outdoor swimming pool that lasted “Ramadan eating hours from 6pm until 4 am " with a huge TV screen watching soccer games and food and music all night long as they celebrated together. We watched out the window to see how much fun they were having. Shortly before daylight the party was over. Muslims do not drink alcohol, this party was festive with laughter, food, and music that included karoke participants.

There is a carriage that is a replica but still (150 years old) from the palace royalty outside our residence during Ramadan. There are traditional drums and music and banquets every night in the lobby that begin at 6pm for the fasting guests. 

We look forward to sharing more as we near the Lebaran “end day" of Ramadan.