Ramadan in Melbourne

Ms DT & Ms Crocs killing time before breaking our fast in Chillipadi Restaurant

Update has long been overdue.
Sadly I haven't had much time nor have with me interesting photos to share.
School work has reached sky high,
They continue to pile up higher as the clock ticks on forward.
Not forgetting additional voluntary, non-academic activities...

Yeah, Ramadan 2008 has proved to be quite the busy month
Not just for myself, but for majority of the Melbruneian students here as well.
So how has fasting month been for the students away from home?
Almost a week has passed since the sighted new lunar moon in Melbourne, and as the sun set down in the southern horizon, declarations for the start of the fasting season can be heard throughout the city from mosques to mosques.

There are quite a few noticeable differences when you compare fasting in Brunei to that in Melbourne, as always in almost everything there are pros and cons. Some of which, I would like to share with you:

Pros:

• As it is the winter season, the fasting hours are shorter;
• The cold weather makes fasting easier (less thirsty);
• Studying and other activities are there to keep you occupied;
• City life and its fast-paced lifestyle keeps you preoccupied and hence time flies;
• Availability and choice of halal-food is a-plenty, even during late hours;
• Able to experience a new fasting season in a new, lively and vibrant environment; and finally

• Ramadan becomes an occasion for a rare get together dinners with good friends.

Cons:

• Lack of sleep, therefore we tend to be more lethargic;
• Fasting hours extended during summer seasons, as days are longer;
• No more morning coffee sessions for me *sob*; and

• No more cheap, filling, mouth-watering, savoury, good ole fashioned Bruneian gerai food *cries*