I live in the largest Muslim country in the world and I’ve made some amazing connections with people who continue to educate and enrich my life.

Before coming to Indonesia, I really didn’t know much about Ramadan.  In the past few weeks I’ve done some simple research and asked a lot of questions to educate myself since this year’s Ramadan was approaching rapidly.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, and during this month all adult Muslims are obligated to fast.  I found that “the act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities.  Ramadan also teaches Muslims how to better practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity.”

What better way to think of those who are less fortunate, than putting myself in a position of hunger?

From dawn to sunset no food or drink may be consumed  The usual routine is for everyone to get up before sunrise and eat, then go back to bed, then continue the day with no additional food or drink until after sunset.  I wanted to experience fasting, but since I’m not a morning person, I do NOT get up to have a pre-dawn meal.  I just get up when I need to, go to work and eat at night after sunset.  Lucky for me, life near the equator grants me a consistent sunset time of about 6:00pm.  Plus, I work in the evening, so I can conveniently eat during my school’s “dinner break,” which is a 20-minute break at the half-way point in our teaching schedule.

I’ve completed 9 days of fasting so far.  I began a little early to try it out…I wasn’t sure that I would be able to successfully perform this day-long task.  I allowed myself to have one cup of water in the morning, just because I live in a hot country, I’m usually dehydrated anyway, and I did not grow up conditioning my body to survive under fasting conditions.  The last 3 days of my fasting “trial” I was, in fact, able to survive without even drinking any water.  I consider that a complete success.

I am taking a break from fasting since I am leaving for an upcoming vacation, but I plan on continuing this physical, mental and emotional journey upon my return.  This experience wasn’t as hard as I was expecting it to be, which I was thankful for.  It did take me about three days to get used to the changes though.  I’d feel tired and I still craved sugar…because I usually eat sweets everyday….  But after those three days, I felt my body getting used to the schedule.  I had to slow down and take things easy, but that is a good lesson in itself.  Plus, I had plenty of time to think about those who never have enough and don’t have the luxury of eating every day.