Ramadan and Ice Lollies

While we were in Turkey, Ramadan was going on. Ramadan lasting 29 or 30 days, is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. Given that Ramadan fell in August this year means there was a lot of fasting going on given the summer daylight hours. It must be a lot easier to keep to Ramadan rules when Ramadan falls in December and it gets dark at 4:30!

Our friends live in a very conservative part of the city with many practicing Muslims. Out of respect for this tradition, our friends will not eat in public in their neighbourhood during this time, which might make dining out difficult. Our friends, however, have developed a really good relationship with the local kebab place down the street, and this restaurant sets up a table for them in the back garden (which is really just a private personal garden) during this time. We went twice while we were there and had a great time. The food was delicious. There is lots of space for the kids to run around. We aren't offending anyone. It is a big win all around. On our last night eating there we celebrated by getting the kids ice lollies. This was a big hit: