Hazy Fasting

October 13

So here I am in the second of my worlds again. As expected, this world has been wholly consuming with almost no news of the outside world(s). The usually crystal clear sky has been at best very hazy, at worst downright opague. The next island over has apparently been enveloped in forest fires for the last month. When the winds blow a certain way, we get it here too. Last week we had a couple of very overcast days – overcast with smoke. Some flights were cancelled. Today the mountains are again not visible – even though they are only 5 km away. I was in the process of recovering from bronchitis but it seems to be coming back. Sigh! (Ooops, shouldn’t have sighed - cough, cough!)

It is the month of fasting here and things have been rather quiet. Although it may not be exactly orthodox teaching, most people in this area see the month of fasting as a time of atoning for sin. Traditionally their culture demanded sacrifices to atone for wrong doing and as this religion spread, people still felt the need for atonement. So for many, fasting has become the way to atone. It is a time to reflect back on one’s life and to renew religious commitment. The end of the fast is the time to restore broken relationships, a time to kind of start fresh and try again to be good. It is a community thing, people are urged to be especially good and pious this month and there are religious services every night. School kids are on vacation. Politicians also try to gain kudos by publicly exhorting people to avoid violence, corruption, and bad deeds this month. (Though sometimes one wonders if they realize the unspoken implication – that it is okay during the rest of the year just don’t do it this month????)