This year, the fasting month falls in the middle of summer. This has given us both a huge challenge. Back at home where daylight hours are relatively constant, I used to fast from around 5.30am till 7pm. The hours would be longer or shorter but only by a few minutes each time. So, enduring the whole day without food or water for about 14 hours has been the norm for me. I have been doing that since I was young so I guess I have been conditioned for it.
But here, during summer, the sun would not set for 18 or more hours. Like today, for instance, we would have to fast from 3.13am until 9.36pm. That would mean more than 18 hours without food and drinks. This is tough. A really tough challenge.
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| this table shows the starting and ending times of the fasting |
Back at home, it wasn't easy either. The sun gets really hot and the high humidty doesn't help. Also, when I was working, I had to talk a lot and I'm on my feet a lot of the time. Sometimes I would also have to work under the sun and for long hours. So although I had to fast for a shorter period of time, I know that I would always long for the clock to fast forward so that I could break my fast.
In the past, my mum would wake us up at 4.30am and I would eat my bowl of oats, scrambled eggs or whatever leftovers we would have left. We would all sit in front of the tv, while keeping an eye on the clock. I would also make sure I get enough water. I would pour myself a huge glass of water which I would finish before fasting starts. Then I would brush my teeth and shower, do my early morning prayers and then I would go to work.
But now I am in Malmö. Things are, of course, not going to be the same here.
This morning, we had to wake up very early to eat before we start our fast for the day. The alarm woke us up at 2.30am. I had to force myself to get out of bed. Pete, ever the early riser was already up and fiddling with his iPad. I cooked oats and cut a grapefruit and peach for us to share. That was what we had for our morning meal. Pete finished his bowl very quickly. I took my time to slowly finish my bowl. I love my oats but to eat the whole bowl so early in the morning needs some getting used to. Even though it was still early in the morning, we didn't go back to bed immediately. I could even see the sky getting light as I sat on the bed. But soon, my eyes got sleepy and I went to sleep.
I woke up at 9.30am. Pete was already up, all showered and tackling zombies on his computer. I took my time to clean the apartment and soon, I was sitting on the couch, catching up on news online. It feels just like any other day, but I noticed that my throat is very dry. I guess the air here is dry. I didn't notice that before since I always have a glass of water or cup of tea with me.
We spent the rest of the day watching tv and then to distract us from our empty tummies and dry throat, we took a walk. The weather was great for the walk. It was sunny but the wind was nice and cool. During the walk, I always kept on checking on Pete. This is his first ever time fasting and I don't want him to suffer too badly. So far, he says he is ok. We finished our walk, discussing the menu for our meal later, and now we are back at home.
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| a wild rabbit we spotted during our walk |
I am having a slight headache which could be due to the lack of water. I guess I would really need to up the intake of water tonight. Pete is doing great but we still have about four more hours ahead of us. We will make it. Inshallah, we will make it.
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