Sleepless in Rama

Being in a country where Rama is supposed to be celebrated by everyone, whether or not you’re celebrating, or observing, it doesn’t matter. We all follow the schedule. My ex-pat friends and I have to plan ahead for meals, pack snacks and hide our water. We can’t just walk into a store and buy a Coke or sit at a cafe to read. Granted, there are some cafes and restaurants open, but people stand around outside and guilt and shame you for walking in—for many reasons.

1. You’re not observing Rama properly.
2. You’re not respecting the community.
3. You’re supporting local businesses that are going against the law that must not be that strict if the businesses are not getting in trouble.
4. They’re jealous.

The food stuff isn’t the hardest part for me—it’s the whole sleep deprivation thing. Everyone is really LOUD at night, specifically between the hours of 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM. With it being so hot, it’s hard for me to get to bed at night, and when I do finally fall asleep I have about an hour or two before my neighborhood comes alive. Men sit around outside smoking hooka and talking loudly, children are playing games, running and screaming around their patios, and women are yelling at their kids, talking and preparing meals and washing dishes. It’s annoying. They all become alive a few hours before the sunrise Call to Prayer, because it’s their last chance to eat and drink anything for the day. By then, I have to wake up in an hour anyways. I get mad. I don’t do well with sleep deprivation.

So…I might have found a video montage I made last year of my sleepless Rama nights. My computer program compiled over 25 minutes of footage into a 2 minute clip. It’s of me spying on my neighbors, complaining, being tired, complaining and watching the Packer game on espn.com. Also: just know I get a little sassy when I’m sleepy and will not accept responsibility for anything I say between the hours of 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM [This video was made between 2 & 3am].

Play VIDEO--Go to Bed: The Trailer [click on link or view in the sidebar]

This video is ridiculous, I know. But please keep lifting up my friends and those around the world observing this month. It’s hard and draining—everyone’s tired—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. And we have one more week.