Mini Ramadan - Mega Blow Out

Week 15: 30/07/2012 - 05/08/2012

I’ve never been round Ramadan before, so I thought it would be an interesting cultural experience to join my colleagues in their annual Muslim fast. 

Ramadan involves spiritual reflect and a heighten emphasis on the teaching of the Islam. The most obvious challenge is the fasting (not eating, drinking, smoking during day light hours). So I spent the week getting up at 0520 to ensure that I had eaten and drunk as much as I could before the 0545 prayers. Then nothing passed my lips until sundown at 1930. I found that I was tired most of the time, particularly in the mornings, and concentration was more of a challenge than usual. Strangely though, by the time Iftar (breaking fast) I felt that I could go on a bit longer.

This is the only picture I can find of Nils and me. Taken after a Hash Run. Officially Titled "Why is Dom Naked?"

On Monday, before going to watch Man City v Malaysia, I went to a Ramadan Buffet, and stuffed myself silly. Mistake! About an hour later my stomach felt like it was going to explode, and I sat in considerable discomfort watching the match worrying about which end was mostly likely to discharge first.... Luckily I made it home before suffering from any public mishaps!

The rest of the week was pretty low key as I conserved my energy, bar a little trip to the driving range with Charlie. 

On Friday, my final day of fasting, I managed to have a quiet meal with Marcello, before heading home for an early night. I was just about in bed when I received a text from Nils “Hey English Guy. Beer?”. Well it would be rude not to, so I headed out to Changkat…. And was still out on Jalan Alor with Nils and Dylan at silly O’clock the next morning having a high five competition with some of Nils's friends!!!!

Random photo including Me, Dylan and Zainab (to the left of the pic)

Saturday was take two for a quiet night, catching up with Dylan, Marcello and Zainab to watch some Olympics…. When Marcello arrived in his dancing shoes I knew Smash Up was inevitable. In KL you are only ever a short taxi ride from Havana….. great night!!