Things are slowing down

Tuesday 18 September 2007

Heard nothing from the gaffer all day, no doubt he is still trying to get the arrangements for the material shipments organised. Ramadan has been running for something like 5 days now and its effect is plain to see. Most of the shops this afternoon had the shutters pulled down and those that didn’t might just as well have had because invariably the proprietors’ were asleep inside. Yet come 1830 tonight (or thereabouts) when to sun goes down they will all be out partying throughout the night.

Although the gaffer is a Muslim it appears he left his homeland whilst a child and has been living in the USA ever since. When we get to Mogadishu it will be the first time that he has returned to his homeland.

He is beginning to see my point about this being the wrong time of year to do anything in a Muslim land. He scoffed at the idea when I first mentioned it but I’m sure he is beginning to see how things really work, or should I say don’t work during the month of Ramadan.

Before I leave here I want to arrange to break the fast in one of the 7 star hotels that they have here. These establishments set up large exotic traditional tents where you recline on cushions and get served sumptuous foods whilst watching entertainment. I have never done it in a hotel environment but during my younger days in the Middle East have sometimes been invited to a local affair which was quite an eye opener. Even in the middle of nowhere the soft furnishing in these tents was very exotic and comfortable. I’m looking forward to seeing a 7 star hotel affair which should be quite magnificent.