Monday, August 31, 2009

Iftar

Iftar is the meal when the fast is broken during Ramadan. Tonight hubster and I were treated to an awesome traditional Iftar buffet at the Marriott by our friends. Sorry guys, I would have taken pictures, but I'm bad at doing the I-didn't-know-that-was-a-rule face when security starts shouting at me. I could expand on this section but I will not. =)

This was my first time having some of the 'national' food. We've had lebanese food before, and I'm sure a lot of the dishes could be classified generally as 'middle eastern' but hey. To me it was mostly new. Some things I've never had before - date juice - "Jalab". MMMmm that was good. It wasn't too sweet, which was nice, and I had 3 cups of it. Dates are commonly the first food that a muslim will break their fast with, so of course I had a couple of those too. There was a lot of delicious grilled meat - lamb, chicken, beef, though no camel, and of course no bacon. A ton of different types of appetizers and salads, and all kinds of dessert. Many of the traditional desserts seem to be coated with some kind of sugary syrup that makes your teeth hurt. But that's okay, right? 'Cause who needs teeth? My favourite by far was the Um Ali, otherwise known as Ali's mom. Let me tell you - Ali's mom tastes like buttery creamy goodness with almonds on top. I will take Ali's mom home with me any day of the week. Don't ask hubster how he enjoyed dessert because all he got was fruit and a marshmallow. Hubster is on a diet and that's how he likes it, so don't feel sorry for him, because I don't. (I do a little but it's important that I don't show pity or he might cave) (it's okay he never reads this blog)

One kind of weird thing was that a clown showed up to dinner. This clown was all decked out in clown ecoutrements - you know, the wig, the big shoes, the crazy costume, the scary makeup. We were sitting in what seemed like a giant pile of screaming children, and as soon as the clown showed up you know what happened, right? I don't even have to tell you what happened because you already know that all the children started crying. Because let's face it, that's what clowns *really* do to children. We were told that it isn't the most common thing to see clowns around during Iftar(thank god, for the children) but that it does happen occasionally, since this is a festive time for everyone. No Santa, right? You gotta give the kids something I guess...

Speaking of kids - next post will be toys!

4 comments:

Sweet said...

Ramadan Kareem,

Oh my, I am afraid of clowns and my sister is as well...Maybe we are a weird family. Nice to read about Ramadan from so many perspectives.

Unknown said...

Hello there! Wow! What an insightful and Oh so funny blog! You've got me in stitches and half of my friends too as I forwarded them a link of this. Im on my way to Riyadh as soon as my hubby gets his Iqama thingie sorted and I've got to tell you, I feel so much better now that I've read this. We're staying at the Al Waha Compound (hope it's half as good as Arizona lol)and Im not sure whats gonna happen with me after arrival although I've gotta say you've given me plenty of ideas! It would be great to catch up with you, that's if you are still there, but if not, thanks anyway for putting my mind at ease :)

Orchidthief said...

Hi Alexia - thanks for your comments. Shoot me an email at orchidthief88@yahoo.ca when you get here ;)

Unknown said...

Re: Fear of clowns. If you'd like to develop it watch or read Stephen King's 'It". :)

And no Salma, apparently you are not that weird a family. Fear of clowns is more common that you'd think and there is even a name for it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulrophobia