Routine of Ramadan

A painting I made for Mom's Birthday!
Notice the funny light switches

Greetings! I hope this post finds all my family and friends happy, and getting back into a Fall schedule. I have been in Doha for a little over two weeks now. The kicker to this stay, is that it is Ramadan, which means a complete change of schedule. Muslims treat Ramadan similar to the way we as Americans or Christians treat Christmas. It lasts about a month, but they celebrate by fasting from sun up to sun down, and having parties and speakers in the evening. Iftar is the meal that breaks a Muslims fast in the evening and starts after the call to prayer around 6:10. They usually break fast by having dates and tea before going to Mosque, and having a large meal with their family. When we go out to dinner, not only do the restaurants not open until 6:10, but also they always have dates on the table. Before the 6:10 call to prayer it is not only heavily rude, but also illegal to eat, drink (even water) or chew gum anywhere in public... even in the car. Stores have very strange hours, as well, and shopping is definitely a hit or miss activity... unfortunately, we have had more misses than hits (except for grocery stores that are always open). The rules are very different inside the bright yellow and orange walls of the compound, and thankfully eating and drinking is acceptable. 

"For More Than Ourselves- Class of 2012"
Mom's Ring

This past weekend, Mom and Dad spent in New York for Graham's Ring Weekend. They had a blast going to a few plays, staying in Manhattan, and seeing Graham get awarded a ring for all his hard work, and for the start of his Senior year at West Point. Mom even received a small ring from Graham, similar to the one all the cadets are given (its tradition for Mom's to have one of these). She came back just a day ago, and Dad stayed in the states to visit Grandma, Papa, and Aunt Bonnie. Prior to the NY trip, Mom made a surprise visit to Katy to see Nana and Bubba, and her dearly missed friends. A surprise indeed, since Nana and Bubba did not know she was coming until they walked into their house after a trip to North Carolina... and there is mom answering the door... SURPRISE... so sweet!  

At the compound... miss
you McKenzie!!!

My flight for Greece leaves in two days and I am ready to get this show on the road! I will land on Friday night around 8:00 p.m., take a taxi over to The ABC Hotel in Thessaloniki, and meet up with my new roommate, Janice. For those of you that do not know about Janice, she is from Tennessee and goes to Middle Tennessee State. She is the only other student on this Study Abroad assignment with me from America, so we will become great friends for sure. We will stay the night at The ABC Hotel, and the next morning meet up with our advisor from Aristotle University at 10:00. She will then take Janice and I to our Smart Studio Apartment and show us our new home for the next 4 months. Bailey, Mom, and a friend of Mom's from Qatar, Dede Jackson, will be flying in Saturday evening to meet up with us and send a few says around the city. School starts September 1st! I cannot believe in two days I will be there, thanks again for sharing in this adventure!