We started Ramadan last night and have Libya’s version of the 4^th of July on September 1. During Ramadan, everything gets turned upside down. During the daylight hours, everyone (Muslims) abstain from food, drink (including water and coffee), cigarettes, etc. In the afternoon, the wife’s expect the husbands to drop everything and go shopping for everything to break fast that evening. So at nightfall, the partying begins up to around 1 or 2 am. Everyone then crashes and gets up before dawn so they can have a meal then grumpily start the cycle over again for 30 days. So far we haven't seen any ill affects from our friends here. They've taken the British stanch of keeping a stiff upper lip and going on with life as we know it. Several came by the dinner table rubbing their stomachs and looking at their watches to see how close we were to sundown.

At the end of the 30 days, they have a three day party. Lynn and I are taking that time to be away in Paris. We can have our own party there.