Eid ,Flu, Fight, and 1 Birthday

I can't believe this, but  Libya STILL hasn't decided WHEN we will be celebrating the Eid . It is supposed to be the 10th day after the new moon in the Islamic month of Dhul  Haj , so that means it SHOULD be on Friday .I have heard it might be Thursday , then it was said to on Friday . NOW I was told by a source that Libya might be celebrating it on Saturday . I just want to know so I can get my projects in motion around here in the Condo.I really don't see why there is all this confusion .

Several friends have the flu here in Tripoli . One went to a private clinic for treatment .That person was told to stay in bed, drink plenty of fluids , take anti biotic , vitamins , and panadol .The other went to a government hospital here and was told the same thing and also prescribed the same basic treatment .BUT both persons was baffled because neither one was tested for the H1N1 flu or offered Tammy flu .I said what difference does it make whether or not you have one flu or the other , since you are sick either way .And if you become sicker , you go back to the hospital for more treatment .It seems as if the flu comes in waves . 1st group gets over it and then a new group comes down with it , spreading all over the place .Around and Around it goes .

The other day Moe and I went into town to do the shopping , stocking up on things we will need for the Eid and I was amazed at the prices of things. From the basics to the exotic , prices are higher all across the board. Our meds have sky rocketed to the outer stratosphere.I really don't know how large families here are able to make ends meet .

While we were at the meat market , I witnessed a horrific knock down drag out fight between 2 young men .It left me shaking when it was over , from fear that one or both boys would ended up dead .Knives were evolved ,one boys head was hammered into the bloody pavement , until I thought his head would crack open . The sad thing of it was , a whole souk filled with men of  all ages, no one stepped up and tried to stop the fight until I yelled that one of the boys had grabbed a knife from a butcher shops unseen .THEN several men stepped in and separated them , allowing one weaker boy to run away from his assailant .I was sitting in the car waiting for Mohamed to return from the shop he had gone into when this fight took place , so he didn't see or hear about it .He couldn't understand why I was so upset . He said it was just a guy thing , but he didn't see it happen .All I could think about and still do, is if that had been a son of mine I would have wanted someone , anyone to stop the fight before anyone was seriously hurt .

On a lighter note , my oldest daughter turns 35 in a few hours .I remember the stormy wee hour morning she was born into this world .How happy I was to have a little baby girl . I couldn't stop the tears of joy from falling onto her when I held her for the 1st time .Have a wonderful birthday Rosebud !

Pilgrims , BBQ, And The Eid

It looks like the Eid Al Adha might be either this coming Thursday , which is Thanksgiving in America , or Friday , which I am mentally geared up for .You might remember that the Eid Al Adha is when the Muslims honor the obedience of Abraham ( Ibrahim) to Gods command to sacrifice his son Ismael .Which so pleases Allah , that He tells Abraham to sacrifice a sheep instead . It is also the end of the Haj for many that make the Pilgrimage to Mecca . Rather fitting that the Eid should come during the American Thanksgiving , don't you think ? Both having something to do with Thanksgiving and Pilgrims .

Here in Libya the 1st day of the Eid is spent traditionally killing the sheep , cooking the sheep , then eating the sheep. Among all the different foods prepared of mutton on that day, the all time favorite is BBQ . And with that in mind, I am posting the joke below as a homage to the all important BBQ of the day .

BBQ  RULES
We are about to enter the BBQ season .  Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this  sublime outdoor cooking activity.. When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain  of events are put into motion:

 Routine....
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and  makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a  tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to  the man who is lounging beside the grill .
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three meter  exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly  bonding activities can take place without the interference of the  woman.

 Here comes the important  part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE  GRILL.

 More routine...
(6) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and  cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is  looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another drink while  he flips the meat .

 Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT  TO THE WOMAN.

 More routine...
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread,  utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.

 (10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does  the dishes.

 And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.

 (12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off' and, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women!
Painting  by Diane Whitehead , entitled Fun, funny Family