Ambling in Africa: Ramadan

Ramadan

I've learned a little about Ramadan from one of my colleagues at work and have to admit that I'm fascinated by the dedication and intricacy of the faith. I'm sure I couldn't maintain my general sunny disposition if like my workmate I had to abstain from eating between 5am and 6:30pm each day. Missing a meal and missing a limb are similar happenstance in my world.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the Hadiths (reports). As many Africans are Muslim, Ramadan is a significant part of African life during this important time.

On a recent hike I'll talk about below - I shared a laugh with a friend about the possibility of unintentional accidental cultural insensitivity. She was busy with a project and then rushed into a meeting where she was front and center..... quickly gulping down a sandwich she explained that if everyone could just wait a sec while she ate her sammy, they could get started but she was absolutely starved having not had breakfast or lunch.......... She describes the looks from the team as surprise shock and dismay as it dawned on her that over half the room hadn't eaten since 5 so were likely were less than sympathetic!

Lake Elementetia and the Volcano

In addition to the beautiful views of Lake Elementetia, you can make out our destination in the distance; the (hopefully) inactive volcano yonder. And while this was our destination, a walk around part of the lake was a fantastic way to spend the early hours of the morning. Home to White Pelicans and over 400 other species of birds, it's a rich tapestry of avian delights! Noisy colorful and the movement of the birds a constant reminder of life in such a still and serene environment. This region , part of the Rift Valley, lies North about 150 Kms from Nairobi. It's just outside the town of Naivasha, a common getaway from the big city.

The world falls dramatically away on both sides of you as you walk the rim of the crater. There are cows and goat down below though difficult to see from this height and my crappy camera. Butterflys occupy the ridge for some unknown reason though they likely though the same about us trooping along disturbing the peace.
The walking is easy and the conversation equally so with my fellow (mostly Ex-pat) hikers. I spent a fair amount of time with Youssef pictured below with a cool grasshopper -like thingy. We saw many more of these things and almost always they were mating. Well when you look this good.......

Youseff my fascinated and facilitating Spanish hiking partner

And suddenly in the middle of no-where... a football game. Really, the middle of nowhere - there was nothing around for at least a kilometer other than this flat spot apparently ideal for playing. A number of boys were playing so naturally we all joined in to play along. We got our asses kicked but lots of laughs in the process. These guys could "bend it like Beckam" and maybe even better.

Most interesting to me is the ball which I learned later from my workmate Maina is packed plastic covered with cloth and then a net-like stitch of rope to hold it together. The "making of the game ball" is a right-of-passage for African boys and when a good one - a matter of real pride. For me and my posse it was the perfect joint... ha! It's all about getting it just right.

Regular soccer balls are no good as they loose air and are then useless....so this is how its done.