Most photographers have personal projects ongoing in the background, behind all their professional work, that they wish they had more time to devote to. My current one has a time limit – trying to capture some images of what Ramadan is here in Abu Dhabi. It’s a month that means different things to different people, but I hope to make a few blog posts showing some of the things I’ve seen.
This first set of pictures is of the going-on’s in my block 10 minutes before iftar. I live in possibly the craziest, busiest, most congested part of town – really, it’s madness to live round here. But it’s also vibrant and friendly and diverse, and I love living here (apart from the parking and roadwork issues!!!) I took a walk around my ‘hood the other night at 6:30pm. 10-15 minutes before iftar – the breaking of the fast. There was an air of anticipation, people who are feeling grumpy for those late afternoon slump hours (because they’re been fasting since sometime around 4am) start to perk up at the thought of breaking their fast – not only with the eating of food. The cafes and restaurants are cooking up a storm as people crowd around to buy their iftar favourites. This first two are at a Lebanese place right by my flat..jpg "iftar6")
The mosque in my block as the sun goes down..jpg "iftar2")
At the local bakery – man, was it hot in there – I was snapping away from the open window and was roasting – those guys work in there in that crazy heat without eating or drinking all day – hats off to them – and they were really friendly and chatty too and didn’t mind their photo being taken (it’s very important to ask permission in the UAE)..jpg "iftar5")
These two guys, one of whom was from the bakery, and the other from the fruit shop next door were so happy about breaking their fast – and going about it the healthy way with some fruit. They asked to see the pictures so I took them a copy a couple of days later. I love the dusk glow on them cos this was literally as the mosque was calling right behind us, which meant it was exactly sunset time. .jpg "iftar1")
And finally, as everyone’s eating the whole dynamic of the neighbourhood changes – the usually packed barbers (you can not imagine how many there are in one block – seriously!) are empty and the parking lots are jam packed full. No chance of getting your car out until iftar has finished..jpg "iftar3")
Enjoy, Kirsty x
Tracy - love it!
Rebecca Lawson - So interesting to see what life over there is like – Ramadan must be quite an experience – will look forward to more pictures