February 2, 2004

• Eid Mubarak!

  
  

  I think I won’t be making so many long posts anymore, now that I’ve covered most aspects of my regular life. Though, the Green Tea Ninja rightly pointed out that I haven’t been giving food as much consideration as normal. I’ll fix that… in another post.

  
  

  So yesterday we celebrated Eid-al-Adha (in the US and many other places, it was Sunday, however. I did talk with my professors and they were in fact very understanding. I took the Kanji quiz last Friday early and was able to miss Monday without any problem. Seriously, some of the professors here may seem difficult in class, and the regulations look strict, but they’re in fact willing to work with you if you’re willing to make the attempt likewise.

  
  

  So about Eid… This is the day at the end of the Hajj, and it marks the willingness of Abraham’s sacrifice of Ishmael. Unfortunately, due to Japanese regulations, we couldn’t properly sacrifice a goat and have a real feast in the evening; but I did eat some meat (kabob, beef, etc.) at the mosque for the first time in nearly a month.

  
  

  I met more people in the Muslim community around Nagoya fortunately. Like I said, most of them have been here for years; I’m the only one there temporarily. 10-20 years for the majority of them; a couple for 3 or 6 years only. The children (up ’til 8 or 9 years old) were all born here, as well. I won’t go into any detail, by the way, but there is quite a difference in opinion regarding Japanese life among those who stay temporarily–as students–versus those who are living here. If I find cause, I may discuss that at length later.

  
  

  Beyond that news, a little bit of a depressing fact. My host father leaves today for Calcutta–for three months. I’ve already mentioned him a little bit, and he really is a great person. Already I know I’m going to miss him… He’ll be back insha’Allah at the beginning of May; only a few weeks before I leave for Tokyo again.

  
  

  There’s a break next week, by the way. So next Sunday insha’Allah I plan on going to Tokyo to spend the time with my uncle and his family. Hopefully this time around I’ll get to chill around Roppongi and Shibuya on the weekend.

  
  

  Oh! And today we have the infamous Hadaka Matsuri, or, Naked Men’s Festival. I can’t properly do justice to describe it, so I’ll point you to Shaun’s blog (check the links to the left) where not only is he describing it in further detail, but he’ll be participating in it as well. We’ll try to come and watch, but hopefully we won’t need to carry him to the hospital afterwards.

  
  

  So ’til then… KF

  • 6:55 pm
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