So far So good :)

So, It's already the second day of Ramadan, and i'm already feeling like i'm fasting for ages :)
Saturday night, we had a goodbye party together with a birthday party (both for aiesec interns in zurich), so it was quite cool, lot's of people, lot's of fun. The best part was, arround 4.00am, when we start starving, and most of the people went to sleep, after being so drunk, so Andre (my brasilian flatmate, me, and 2 italians, we went out to zurich downtown, looking for a kebab (turkish fastfood :), It took us quite a while to realise that we dont have any chance of finding a food place open !!!! We had to go back home at 5.00am, and we decided to cook pasta !!!! Of course, me and Andre, we had to chill while our italian friends took care of the Pasta :))) It was so good, especially that i had to hurry before the sun come up, and it was just on time !!
so, woke up the next day, and we went directly back to Basel. Where i had to prepare my meal, and i had a video conference with my family so i could see them breaking fast on LIVE :)) so i kinda had dinner with them :)) I prepared some Rice with chicken + baked potatos, and an omelette, and a salty salad.
Today at work, i was really hungry, especially when everyone left for the lunchbreak and i stayed with my computer.....some people couldnt believe that we can't even drink water, and they were like : bloody hell, that's not healthy, your god is so demanding !!!!
how funny is that ?? :))) At the same time, they know that my god is their god, and if it wasn't hard, there's no point of making it !!!!!
So, finally i managed to leave arround 17h.00, made some shopping and then i start preparing the dinner (again :), it was time for some TAJINE, and pasta with chicken (again :), and i we were 4 people arround the table, Andre, Asia (polish Flatmate), and Sonal (canadian trainee who just arrived 2 days ago). It was good to know that my Tajine was appreciated :)) (like usually) And then, the usual conversations about Ramadan, why is that, and how do you feel, and blablabla :))
Anyway, we had a good time, especially that it's raining outside, and we were so full that we couldnt even move to the living room :)
Conclusion : So far so good, im still able to keep the good mood and the smile (yeah, especially that i've got my job contract on friday, and im really happy because of that).
Will try to find out how/when can i join for prayers in the mosques here in Basel, probably during the second half/last 10 days of Ramadan, to feel the event !!!!
Gotta go and get some sweets now :)
Untill later.

RAMADAN

A great idea, initiated by Tom : blogging about Ramadan from the 4 corners of the world. Check it out Here.

Name – Emir Sassi

Age - 25

Location – Basel, Switzerland

Nationality - Tunisian

Religious background – Sunni Muslim

Current occupation – Business Planning Analyst - works for a pharmaceutical company.

The thing I love the most about Ramadan - Ramadan is unique, in a way that everything looks different : Working hours, sleep, dinner time, prayers, going out, shops openings, people's mood, the smile everywhere, smell of food when u're starving. The modesty and love that you see ALMOST everywhere...! It's definetly the month that breaks the routine ! My favourite time of the year !

The hardest/most annoying thing about Ramadan – When i'm fasting, and i see/meet people doing their best to behave/show that they dont give a shit about it, in so many different ways. And i just can't react because one of the golden rules : Dont stress or panic, and say : "God ! Im fasting", on a way that you dont loose your good mood.
The other hard thing, is being away from my family and home country for the fourth year now...things are really different there !!!

What I want to get out of Ramadan this year – Be finally able to fast/behave/pray as required, during the whole month. And that's not an easy thing to achieve ! it might take me long time untill i get there !

My best Ramadan memory – Certainely there are so many good memories : Family gathering, Friend's meetings, the Eid preparations, getting out of school early :)) But i think the best part of it, is when i feel that i'm doing something that i really like and respect : sthg that makes me feel closer to god ! And that's a big achievement for me.