The Beginning of Ramadan

Well we finally made our way back from Aqaba, where we had spent about 6 nights both enjoying the weekend at the beach front hotel. Where went scuba diving again in the Red Sea and ate all the fresh fish we could get our hands on. This is when we got our first tastes of Ramadan, and how it would affect our business and personal lives and for that matter eating habits. As I discuss in the following my first impressions of Ramadan and what it means to the people here I do so with the hopes to shed light on something that is little known to most Texans or for that matter Americans, with a desire not to hurt any of my Muslim friends feelings. Rather I think it is important to educate oneself on something that is known little about.

With that said we have been told from the very beginning by the office that we needed to hurry the project along because the knowledge that business slows down during Ramadan! This is a for sure a fact, if it doesn’t come to a complete stop for that matter. We had been told from the very beginning that they didn’t know the exact day when it would start rather it has to do when they see the moon at a certain time. When asking a friend in Saudi Arabia why it started a day earlier there, compared to it not starting yet in Aqaba, Jordan which was only 20 minutes away. The response was because we saw the moon in Saudi. I am sure that there is more to it then just seeing the moon, but this was the response that was giving to their “western friend”. Anyhow the next day started and we had our first meeting at 10am. Then for lunch we decided that we would go to Quizno’s just down the street from the hotel, well it was closed then right next door was a McDonalds and we thought for sure if there is any place that will be open it would be McDonalds. Well guess what it was closed!

This is because all Muslims are supposed to fast from sun up to sun down which is typically from the hours of 7am to about 6:30pm which includes no drinking or eating of any kind. Thus it would be too much of a temptation and for that matter not make much business sense to be open during these hours. As far as business hours that are kept by most people the offices generally open up from 10am and close around 2pm during Ramadan. They keep to their usual prayer times of five times a day, but generally spend more time praying and spending time in religious reflection and family. And this goes on everyday for a whole month. As you can see this definitely puts restraints on us trying to wrap up the project and my eating habits. But not to worry there are those establishments such as our friends restaurant that are owned by Christians that keep normal business hours for meal times etc. For more info on Ramadan start at looking at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan and there is much more available on the web for those wanting to be more educated on the topic.

As a Christian it is very interesting seeing the faith that is shown throughout the Muslim community. Which is leading me to look deeper into my own faith and see what it truly means to me and my commitment to Christ.

As for this weekend we spent it here in Amman, enjoying a relaxing Thursday night out with our last night with Colleen in the country. Realizing that many places that are the usual nightly hot spots are either very quite or closed. And enjoying not having to make reservations at our favorite restaurants because most people have already eaten by the time we want to go out to eat. Then yesterday we meet up with a new aqauntance who is from California and has come to Jordan to expand his business into the growing IT market here in Jordan. We meet at the Four Seasons Hotel and really enjoyed the service and all that Four Seasons is known for and has to offer. After words we decided that we wanted to spend the rest of the day sitting by the pool at the Dead Sea. So what better place to do so then the Kemepnski Dead Sea!!! So I called the GM of the hotel who had hosted us for the weekend about a month ago. And of course it was his pleasure to host us at the hotel for the afternoon.

We were greeted by fresh chilled towels and a fresh pineapple juice as we were escorted to the balcony overlooking the sprawling property and Dead Sea. The hotel truly is one of a kind. Then the service manager took us down to the pool, but along the way I got him to stop off at the royal suite which I have talked about it before, that is like 10,000 square feet with its own private pool and beach. He said that it has become the most expensive suite in the world. I am not sure if it is, but it defiantly is in the ranks for top suites of any hotel I have ever seen. The service at the pool was first class, with drink service and the best home made ice cream. Of course no trip would be complete with out floating in the world treasure Dead Sea, but we skipped the mud this time. We started to leave right after sun set. And upon return to the car noticed that they had not only washed and detailed the car, but had also put in air freshener and a box of cleanexs on the dash. I continue to be amazed at the attention to detail and service this hotel has. Which makes me look even more to the birthday party that we have been invited to for the GM of the hotels wife in about a week.

Today I spent the rest of time around the pool and preparing for our meetings this week. On Monday we have the Minister of Industry and Trade which is going to be a big meeting for us. So much so that the office is flying in the regional sales manager based in Egypt to join in the meeting while Colleen is in Oman starting up that new project. All for now hope this finds everyone well. And I will keep you up to date on my Ramadan adventures!!!!!!!

Chad