Nostalgia
Ramadan brings with it some fond memories. Though, I admit, I've never fasted for more than a couple of days, purely because of my laziness...going through the ordeal of waking up in the wee hours of morning, and stuffing yourself up. And it's not that one cannot fast in the absence of this early morning grub....it's just that I never did.
Anyways, so, Ramadan was a whole different time back home. In the local marketplace....almost all the shops seemed to gear-up for it. You could see street-vendors with loads of dates, sweetmeats, snacks and what not. Then as evening approached hoards of people flocked the market...preparing for the much-awaited Iftaar in each home.
The small market was decorated during the whole month with criss-cross ribbons, and small flags. Some enterprising vendors decorated their wares with aluminium foils, which glittered in the sunlight. Then as technology improved, people started decorating there shops with flickering lights. The spirit, however remained the same. The whole aura used to be different. It was surprising to see how the hustle and bustle before the Iftaar time gently got replaced with an awkward silence of about half-an-hour when the devout broke their fast.
Coming back to the original topic of my fondness for Ramadan...the reason was totally selfish. I didn't fast, but my sisters did. Sometimes for the whole month. And at home it was a protocol that everyone in the family has to be at the Iftaar...whether or not you're fasting.:). Umm...I'm still reminded of the awesome food mom used to prepare. On an average, I guess, I used to gobble much more than my sisters, or anyone else in the family.
Then as we grew up, Iftaar parties at friends' place became common. And we used to wait for some specific Iftaar parties.....at friends' whose moms were awesome cooks. ;)
Miss it, I do.