Skeleton Ramadan

The ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar is the holy month of Ramadan. It's a month of worship, charity and the betterment of one's self. In that month, social gatherings with family and friends are a daily routine. The biggest of those gatherings is at sunset when all Muslims break their fast and eat the Ramadan feast.


Back home, all of my family gathers around. We wait for the sound of "Athan" from mosques that echoes into the sky signaling the end of fast for the day. Around the meal we'd be talking about our day, laughing and enjoying each others' company. We'd be praying and thanking god for successfully fasting that day and for the people around us.

In Ramadan, there's a special atmosphere. You can feel it the moment they announce it's start. People, places and even food are all different. Streets and shops are decorated with festive colors and decorations. The "Hilal" or the new moon is the symbol for Ramadan that is used in most advertisements and decorations related to the month, in addition to traditional Islamic motifs.


Living here in Seattle, Ramadan is different. I might even say nonexistent. There are no decorations, no echoing mosques and no family to gather around at sunset. My daily habits are divided between sleeping, playing video games and other time-killing activities. Seattle has a loooong day time during Ramadan. After coming back from school, instead of having around three hours until sunset, I have six! So, killing time is a habit that I've learned. My breakfast is less festive as well. A simple Mediterranean meal with dates is my normal go-to meal in Ramadan. Also, I have become a night owl, staying up all night until the time I start fasting. That is to make sure I am consuming food to the fullest all night long before I start to fast again.
It's not a bad thing though. I'm living a new experience, enjoying my surroundings. I know I will appreciate Ramadan back home even more now.

My Seattle

Last weekend was the July 4th weekend. I went with a friend to Gas Works park, the biggest and busiest place that celebrates the 4th of July in Seattle. The place was packed! There were a lot of people filling the place. They had tents, picnics and kites! And well .. my friend and I didn't go that prepared. We didn't think it through. So we just sat on the grass and enjoyed the view. It was a long wait until the fireworks started. It was not an easy wait. That day was cold and it started raining! Despite all that, we had a really enjoyable time. Because we killed time talking with each other all day. This event made me think. It's all about the company. Wherever you go, whatever you do, it's always the company that makes the experience good or bad, so when I think about 'My Seattle,' I think about my friends here. I will think about a fun walk around downtown on a sunny day, a warm cup of coffee on a wintery day chatting with a group friends in a cozy corner coffee shop and a crazy July 4th weekend walking with friends among 40,000 people.

My Seattle is a Seattle of people, where every corner holds a connection with someone special.