Late night soccer during Ramadan
Mobile cafe - concessions during "eating hours"
Sean getting schooled in kung-fu by a visiting Japanese volunteer
Kid's day with the Japanese volunteers
The Japanese crew!
Hangin' out with the other volunteers from around Morocco
Sean's 29th Birthday!
The devoted fans for midnight football (aka. soccer)
Team Ait Amira - GO AOUFOUS!
The soccer "field"
Ball hounds!!!
Team El GaraSeason's Greetings!
Yes, many of you may be saying, but Sean Christmas isn't for another 3 ½ months (those of you that celebrate Christmas). I would say that you are correct. And before you go spreading the word that I have officially gone insane, it is the season of Ramadan here in beautiful Morocco. And in Aoufous it's the boo daddy of holidays! Like Christmas back home where we give thanks for the birth of the baby J, and how lucky we all are to have such wonderful families and friends, in Morocco, and many other Islamic countries, this is the time of year in which they give thanks to Allah, family, friends, ask for forgiveness, and rekindle their relationship with God. And as we unofficially begin the holidays after thanksgiving, by playing Christmas music, setting up the tree and partaking in holiday get-togethers, Muslims lock it in officially for a full month by fasting from sunrise to sunset, by thinking purely good thoughts, and giving back to their communities and to those families that are less fortunate. And every night after sunset everyone sits down as a family to break fast, and celebrate their humility towards God and each other.
At first coming into this country almost a full year ago (next week Sep. 10th), we were introduced to Ramadan smack dab in the middle of the holiday. It was crazy and confusing and not that exciting of a holiday celebration. This year we have decided to fast with our fellow community members in order to better understand the holiday. Aside from the challenges of not eating or being able to drink water during the sweltering heat of the summer, and having to push all of my bad thoughts back until the 10th of September (I don't think Em has ever had a single bad thought, ever), our 2010 Ramadan experience has been very enjoyable and rewarding! And in the spirit of Ramadan, we would like say how much we appreciate everyone's support from back home! We have been away for almost a full year now and we miss everyone tons! Until next time…
Keep it real.
sean
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