sixth day...

Ramadan starts tomorrow. "Observed by more than one billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a time for spiritual purification achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers.
Celebrated during the ninth month of Islamic calendar, the fast is observed each day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam."

Ramadan on the Net - Welcome to a celebration of Ramadan, EID ...

I decided I better make my way down to the Sultan Center, a high end western style grocery store, to purchase some food. Heading west from the hotel it gets pretty posh... but I was still taken aback by the "climate control" offered by none other than our very own Starbucks. So that one could still sit outside (to enjoy the sun?) but not feel baked by the 120 degree weather, Starbucks offered a row of high powered fans with a continuous sprayed mist...

The Sultan Center had just about everything you might find in the States, plus a lot of foods that became my favorites in Taiwan and China, and a whole lot of Middle Eastern foods that I would love to try sometime... it was packed with customers, but I have heard that many think it too expensive and go to the traditional markets... most items were around what you might pay in the states, but a tiny packet of fresh blueberries were about $10, a half gallon of Organic Valley milk was $12 as was a container of Breyers All Natural ice cream ( from Wisconsin!)... sorry the photos are not so clear, but I thought that you had to see the contrast of these traditional Muslim women, draped in black with nothing but their eyes showing (notice the black gloves too), trying to pick out a flavor!