Ramadan in Doha

Well, I've finally made it back on my blog after returning to Qatar. I flew in on Aug 18. Classes started about a week later, and are now in full swing. I have two classes, both introductory Chemistry, one designed for students in the Academic program, and one for students taking health sciences. The courses are fairly similar however, and the prep for one overlaps the prep for the other. My work load is not heavy, and the college campus is great, so that aspect of life here couln't be much better. However, it has been terribly hot (+40C most days) and humid since I returned, and it is not pleasant to be outside for long. I did go golfing a couple of weeks ago, but it was too hot to enjoy.
Almost the whole month of September is the Moslem holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Moslems are supposed to refrain from taking anything by mouth including food, water, and cigarettes from sun-up until sunset, and attend prayers several times a day. As a consequence the college cafeterias are closed. Non-Moslems have special lounge areas set aside, and we are allowed to have lunch in there, but are not supposed to have anything in our offices. The nationals fast all day, and then in the evening there are special feasts. Many of the large hotels put up special tents and put on feasts. Some friends and I attended one of these. The food was incredible, and there was a magic show, a live band, a whirling dirvish, and some other entertainments. It was a bit expensive, but worth the experience. I will try to send some pictures in a future post.