November 17, 2002

Breaking the Ramadan Fast

[Bethlehem, West Bank] Saliman invited me over to his home to break the Ramadan day fast with him. Those meals are always excellent. But it's usually a lot of quick eating and never a lot of talking. Muslims don't eat during the day, but when evening comes it's always a small celebration. We had grilled chickens, tomato and cucumber salad, radishes and celery, and one of my all-time favorites -- stuffed grapeleaves. Zaki kateer! (Very delicious.) We didn't finish all the food, so Saliman's wife gave me a bowl of grapeleaves and rice to take home. I had a few at midnight, since they're good hot or cold. I'd guess that we're in about the 12th day of Ramadan now, so maybe I'll be invited to a few more feasts before it's over.

All this food was just for Saliman and me, although the youngest of his seven children decided to join us for a bite.

Saliman doesn't normally wear this garb, but he wanted to look good for the photo.

Boys play dress-up like their dad. You would be amazed at how much work goes into the properly folded kaffia headgear.