Dan here. Ramadan ended on Thursday night here in Jordan. Oman and Egypt did not want to rush things and decided to fast one more day. Eid is celebrated by visiting people's homes (one of the embassy drivers said he would visit fifty homes in one day), eating sweets and giving children new clothes and money. Just like at Christmas, the radio stations play seasonal music during Eid. This year's favorite seems to be the Eid Song by Sami Yusuf - it is played on heavy rotation and is firmly stuck in our head. The Germans have a word for this, it translates to "ear worm". Don't believe us? Take a listen.
Let us rejoice indeed
For this is the day of Eid
CHORUS:
La ilaha illallah
Muhammad rasulallah
La ilaha illallah
Muhammad rasulallah
‘Alayhi salatullah
‘Alayhi salatullah
Children are wearing new clothes
Bright colours fill the streets
Their faces full of laughter
Their pockets full of sweets
Let us rejoice indeed
For this is the day of Eid
CHORUS
Mosques are full of worshippers
in rows straight and neat
Their Lord they remember,
His name they repeat
Their hands are raised to the sky
They supplicate and plead
On this blessed day
Forgive us they entreat
Let us rejoice indeed
For this is the day of Eid
CHORUS
People are giving charity
And helping those in need
In giving they’re competing
Today there is no greed
Let us rejoice indeed
For this is the day of Eid
CHORUS
Enemies embracing each other
All hatred is buried
Everyone is celebrating
Greeting everyone they meet
Let us rejoice indeed
For this is the day of Eid
Yesterday, we went to an Eid party and indeed we ate a lot of sweets.
Duffy here. Today we took a day trip up to Jerash to see the Roman ruins there and to see the Gladiator Show held in the world's best preserved hippodrome, where we ran into the Ambassador. He seemed to be hosting a large group including a Jordanian Senator, and was probably wondering why we were there in our free time. I believe the Ambassador has been to Petra 34 times - I do not know how many times he has been to the Gladiator Show. We went because a friend here had said it was her very favorite thing in Jordan. I think the Thai massage we had at the Dead Sea was way better.
2 comments:
Yayy--- back to Starbucks and eating out during the day! Congrats. Love the gladiators...very cool.
I am so happy for you! It is great that things are open again! Thanks for the information & showing your pictures.
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