Celebrating Ramadan

March 22nd through April 22nd were 30 days I felt the closest to the Albanian culture and my host family. It was my first time participating in Ramadan so I had a lot of "firsts" during this month. And I feel so blessed to be part of a community that was so willing to teach me their culture and ways.

I was a little apprehensive to fast the whole month so my plan was to fast the first day, the fifteenth day, and the last day of the month. My host mom said a lot of the little kids do the same so I felt much better about that. Not eating from sun up to sun set was fine, it was the whole "no coffee, no water" thing for me... If you know me, coffee is probably the love of my life and I get wicked crabby without it. It started with me waking up at 3am for Syfyri (in Albanian) which is a meal full of protein to help you get through the day. I had eggs and a cheese toasty plus a cup of black coffee (milk and sugar make you thirsty in the day). My school changed their daily schedule for Ramadan so the breaks were shorter and the day went by faster. My colleagues were extremely supportive and so proud that I was fasting. I had a pretty nasty headache at the end of the day. Once it was sunset and time for Iftari (breaking of the fast), my host mom invited me over for it. Traditionally, you break fast with a date or water. My favorite were the dates. The dates, especially during Ramadan, are the best! Sweet, HUGE, and the perfect snack. Iftar usually is a 4 course meal starting with soup, salad, main dish, and dessert with coffee. Of course, the food was amazing and tasted even better after accomplishing a day of fasting.

Iftar is my favorite tradition during Ramadan. Muslim owned restaurants usually have Iftar menus you can reserve and break fast there. My school did a huge Iftar together at a really yummy restaurant. It was very special and warmed my heart when I was invited to join. I can't really describe how comforting it was to be apart of a tradition I know means so much to my community and host family. Something even more special? My homeroom class of 8th graders organized a surprise Iftar for me! I was gone for a week for IST (In-Service Training) and they organized it while I was gone. They have been a class since 1st grade and have never done an Iftar together. That night was so special to me and definitely one of my favorite class memories.

After 30 days of fasting it was finally time to celebrate Bajram! Bajram is the celebration the last day of Ramadan. I celebrated with my host family. On Bajram, you wake up early to make a HUGE meal. I mean, 4 courses; soup, salad, rice, meat, veggies, BAKLAVA!!! Oh, and you eat all of this for breakfast! Then you eat MORE baklava. After you eat so much you can't fit anymore food in your stomach, you dress up in nice, new clothes and you go for mysafir (being a guest at someones house). But it's not just one mysafir, it's almost everyone in the family. You go, have a sweet and a drink, talk for a bit, and then move on to the next house. You do that ALL day. Then the next day, you host mysafir which means the people who you visited the day before, now comes to your house. I even made the Turkish coffee and served baklava so I felt really apart of the family! I loved spending time with the family and extended cousins who I don't get to see very often. I was talking to my host mom and the best comparison we have in the US is probably Thanksgiving.

The month of Ramadan was probably the best month so far! I can't wait for next year! My goal for next year is that I fast more and learn even more about this amazing holiday. :)