Spain
I spent the last week of Ramadan in Castellon, Spain where I had a conference. I liked the large Jaume I University with the green campus and many modern buildings and facilities. The weather was nice and cool. it was refreshing to take a walk down the narrow alleys and look at the old buildings with a unique architecture. I found Spanish people very friendly and very helpful especially when you ask for directions. They'd walk out in the street to show you the way despite the language barrier. Since it was Ramadan and I was fasting, it was difficult to find an open restaurant around 7 p.m. when I needed to break my fast even the restaurant hotel was close and room service was not avialable between 4-9 p.m. Spanish people take a siesta time from 2-4 p.m. and restaurants close between 4-9 p.m. Spanish peole like to have their dinner late. People were wondering why I wanted to eat so early i.e, at 7 p.m. The first day I was in Castellon, I could only find cafes that serve drinks and pastry. No real food or even soup or sandwiches. However, I enjoyed sitting in one of the street cafes and had seafood paeia. I am glad I took a box of dates with me. Everyday I had dates and milk or juice to break my fast, then I'd have a proper dinner when the restaurants opened. When I went shopping downtown before noon, all the shops where open and the streets were crowded with people. But when around 2 p.m., stores started to close and streets were becoming gradually deserted. At night families with small children enjoyed walking in the streets, talking and laughing and eating ice cream or candy.