Ramadam - Pakistan

[CornishDaddy]

Hi there,

Planning my route and it turns out I have scheduled myself to enter Pakistan on the 1st day of Ramadam. Now, I can guess this is going to have consequences, and I can avoid it, but the question is, should I?

Basically I can double step through Europe, which could mean leaving Pakistan, and entering Western China for the start of Ramadam. But, from my initial research I can see that Western China is also mainly Islamic. But it would only be a couple of weeks in this part, whereas the full month in Pakistan.

Slowing down would only put me in Iran for Ramadam.

Planning such a long route (UK - Oz) is obviously full of such scheduling issues, and I am coming across different constraints all the time, especially as I am now getting some ideas about China.

So, if anyone has any thoughts on this I'd appreciate the advice.

Cheers

[petefromberkeley]

I have been in Malaysia, Iran, Egypt and Turkey during Ramadan various years and never had any problems. Acording to the rules, you are allowed to eat if you are traveling and even in Iran road side cafes were open during the day. If you are not traveling that day, food stores are open so that they can cook prior to sunset, so you can buy stuff and eat it out of site back in your hotel room. Most people don't care if they know you are not a Muslim. It would be really impolite to walk down the street eating during the day, but if you are discrete, no problem.

Also, sitting down with everyone staring at dinner and waiting to hear the prayer called so you can all tuck in at once is fun. Breaking the fast at the end is a great celebration.

[CornishDaddy]

Thanks for that Pete.

I suppose the other thing I was curious was whether shops and attractions that I might be interested in would still open. I'm quite happy to eat and drink in privvate, and respect others customs, but it would be a shame to visit a Pakistan that is 'closed'.

I might loose some weight, what with not drinking and eating

[brettsyoung]

Strangely, people tend to put on weight during Ramadan. Do bugger-all during the day and stay up until after midnight gorging themselves.

Nothing really changes during Ramadan (or Ramazan in Pakistan). People in the govt tend to go home early (but then things shut early in the countryside normally) but shop and sites etc tend to stay open as normal. Restaurants and cafes will close, and then open again in the last hour before sunset, so you'll need to keep some food in your kit. You won't even find a McDonalds open in Karachi during the day. I have had meals in airports during Ramadan all over the world (except Saudi), so this seems to be an exception (this is also where I've witnessed the strange site of hundreds of locals hovered over their dinner plate waiting for the call to prayers as mentioned earlier - uncomfortable at first, but no-one seems to really mind it that you're eating)

The biggest worry is the deterioration of the driving. The driving is bad enough in many of these places, but combine with a) intense hunger and lack of sleep, and b) the afternoon bullrush for the dinner table, and driving in a Muslim country during Ramadan can be scary. Ramadan is also getting closer to the northern hot season so things on the road will only get worse.

[CornishDaddy]

Thank for that Brett. I'll make sure that I have an extra bumper and horn fitted

thanks for the info