Eid al Fitr 2009 was my third Eid in Egypt. As exciting as it was to be here during this holy month in 2006 and 2008, this year it was just a normal month for me as it was no longer a new experience. However, the Muslim community, as always, had a blast celebrating one of the most important holidays in Islam, and I enjoyed sharing this joy with my family and friends.
It was fun for me to partake in Iftar feasts (when they break their fast after sunset, literally meaning “breakfast”) and late night Sahoors (their last meal before the fast begins, before sunrise). I even partook in fasting on a few days, although not eating all day was definitely less enjoyable for me. During Eid, the three day celebration that marks the end of Ramadan (the month of fasting), I enjoyed a three day vacation from work in a much less crowded Cairo. In fact, Cairo was practically empty. Many Egyptians took their holiday celebrations to the Coast — Alexandria, Ain Soknah, and the North Coast. Foreigners took advantage of this time to travel throughout Egypt or to nearby countries. Though I love the hustle and bustle and chaotic life of crowded Cairo, I also thoroughly enjoy the very peaceful and less crowded Cairo during Eid. It’s nice to have a break every once in awhile.
Surprisingly, this month passed by much faster than anyone expected. Since the start of Ramadan changes every year according to the Islamic calendar, many dreaded this year’s summer start. It was very hot for the first few weeks, though now the weather, still very warm, has turned to a bearable temperature. Daylight Savings time began a bit early this year, in order to make the fast somewhat easier. Towards the end of August we switched our clocks back an hour, making sunset an hour earlier and Egypt is now only six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
As I write this column, I am in the beginning of our first full work week after Ramadan. We have switched back to our normal hours of 8-5 p.m., whereas during Ramadan we only worked until 2 p.m.. That was nice. And short lived. The buildings on my street are no longer adorned with colorful lights and lanterns (fanoose). I really enjoy the colorful lights and decorations of Ramadan that make Cairo so festive. I wish they could stay up year round. Unlike many Americans with Christmas decorations, Ramadan decorations are taken down almost immediately. This is about the only thing Egyptians do on time (a light hearted cultural joke for you).
With the end of Ramadan comes the start of fall weather in Cairo. This is something I have been looking forward to since the first day of spring, when the weather in Egypt begins to heat up. The Fall weather in Cairo is t-shirt warm and comfortable during the day and light jacket weather in the evenings. This is the best time to enjoy Cairo as being outside is no longer torture (my opinion of summer weather)! The breeze in the evenings is very soothing. During this time of the year, I love to sit on my balcony at night and take everything in. It’s so soothing. Still, to this day, I have moments where I think, “Is this real? Am I really living in Egypt???” My “me time” moments on the balcony of my eighth floor apartment, really put into perspective the amazingness of this journey.
Fall in Middlesboro is also a very beautiful time of the year, one I also find comfort in. The Cumberland Mountain Fall Festival is coming up, as well as the Green Family Reunion (my mother’s family), and yet once again, I am missing out on these two events. In my mind, I can see the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows of our beautiful mountains as the leaves begin to change color and fall to the soft ground. This is also something I find very spectacular, and more importantly, it is home. But even as I find myself missing fall in America — haystacks, scarecrows, pumpkins, and the goblins of Halloween — I am still happy and appreciative of the opportunity I have to see and embrace the world. Fall in Middlesboro and Fall in Cairo certainly do not compare. The features of the season are quite different and unique to each country … but isn’t that part of the beauty of our world.
Karema Eldahan is a Middlesboro native living in Egypt. She shares this unique experience through her Middlesboro Daily News column. Contact her via e-mail at editor@middlesborodailynews.com.
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