Ramadan: One month of bad road, any way you take it

Well folks, the end of Ramadan is finally here, and none to soon. It was driving me buggy. For those who don’t quite understand what I mean, here it is: Ramadan is Islamic culture at its most restrictive, conservative and irate. Even though we Westerners are not expected to fast with the Islamic population, we are still confined to there rules. No eating, drinking, smoking or gum-chewing in public. Because of this most of the businesses are not open during the day, or at least until 9:00 P.M. (after the family meal which signifies the breaking of the fast). SO, we are roped into their lifestyle de-facto. We become nocturnal creatures, coming home after work and not being able to do much except sleep until the sun sets (Iftar). Even though there are normally places you can get a drink as a Westerner during the other 11 months here in Oman, these places are also shut down during Ramadan (this includes any place which has Western style pleasures like dance clubs, places for entertainment and so forth). It was a hard first month here, but this is about to come to an end. To morrow is the last day and then starts Eid (EId, the breaking of the fast holiday is a combination of Easter, Christmas and New-Years). Its pretty crazy and lasts for like a week. There’s another EId later in the year too, just as long. SO, I have off until next Sun. or Mon. or something. SO after this we will see what this region really has to offer the Westerner. There are so many things I would like to explore, I’m not sure what to partake in first. Over the past month, I have been trying to keep myself busy with work, and the daily doldrums of trying to get situated. I have been doing things like going to the beaches here, and climbing the local mountains around where I live. There are some photos attached to this post of the view from some of the lower peaks (I am not so adroit a climber and the mountains here are pretty intense. Some people come from all over the world just for the climbing. Many of my fellow teachers chose Oman to work because of this). Incidentally, I am at the last stages of finally becoming ‘legal’. I am awaiting my residency visa in the next week (right after Eid). Then I can do the cool stuff that I was not really allowed as a ‘guest’. So in the near future I expect to get cable, and internet in my home and my liquor permit so we can booze it up at my place if any of you get your ass into gear and get out here. For those of you who are wondering why I haven’t written a personal e-mail to you it is for this reason. When I venture out to my local internet café to run my virtual errands, I don’t exactly have time to write three or four dozen e-mails. Also, I love you all so much that I can’t decide who to e-mail first. But, if you send me an e-mail it won’t be a matter of favoritism and responding will be a matter of protocol…. So I won’t feel bad. By the way… I miss you all dearly and think of you al quite fondly and often. Well, ciao for now and I would love to know how things are going for you and others back in the states (how’re the sox doing?).