Fruit, glorious fruit

Today is the first day of Ramazan in Pakistan (we're one day behind the Middle East) so the entire routine of the day has changed. We work 6 hours instead of 8 which I have to say is very nice because I get to spend more time with my family and read far more than is possible on a regular workday.

Besides that you can't eat and drink on the street (it is a criminal offense to do so) and many offices have that rule as well. However things are very laid back in my office building and even though 90% of the people fast no one bats an eyelid if you eat or drink, in fact HR stringently enforces everyone's right to do as they please. I usually take my lunch to work and eat quietly, I just make sure that it's a sandwich or something equally benign so that the aroma doesn't tempt anyone (no curries please!).

It is just before Iftar (that is the time when the fast is broken) now and the streets outside my house are already quiet. Everyone is ensconced in their homes and waiting to break the fast with a sip of water and a date after which they will pray and then eat their meal. I have been to some pretty lavish Iftar dinners but many people prefer to keep it light and simple. Fruit salads are very popular at this time (hence the picture of the fruit seller today) and since summer brings with it such an abundance of peaches, mangoes, watermelon, lychees, cherries, apricots and plums... oh, did I mention mangoes - there is a lot to choose from.

The traditional Pakistani fruit salad is called a 'fruit chaat' because the fruit mix gets a sprinkling of salt and chaat masala (a potent combination of spices) on it. I am not a fan of fruit chaat but a lot of Pakistanis love it.

OK, the siren for Iftar just went off (yeah, there's a siren) so I'm going to use this very quiet time for my quiet time.