Happy Ramadan (Ramazan)!!

We were sitting in a local café as the sun went down on Tuesday...the first full day of fasting.  It was interesting to see the wait staff all sit together and eat just as the call to prayer and cannon fire signaled the breaking of the fast.  Reminded me a little of the staff lunch time at school...eating very quickly and then back to work. 

Our dinner with Prof. Robert Strayer, author of my textbook, Ways of the World.  Greg and Kevin, the guys in the front, fasted for the day in honor of Ramadan.  Here we are breaking the fast at (an early) dinner. 

You can sense the anticipation of the call to prayer marking Iftar, the breaking of the fast each evening.  Like a city-wide picnic, garbage collectors, families, tourists, everyone feels welcome at the table. 

Next I explored the Ramadan Bazaar...a very festive atmosphere. 

A weaver holding a silkworm cocoon and proudly displaying textiles made on the loom in the background. 

Families celebrating the first day of Ramadan and the breaking of the fast.  Free food is served in the Hippodrome and people visit and shop until the early morning hours. 

The Blue Mosque with a lit up sign celebrating Ramadan. 

One of the stages set up for music and speeches.