Watch the Walk

This wrap is traditional to Clove Island. It's traditionally worn like a sari, but over a full outfit, adding style and propriety. Like many other things, it can serve multiple purposes. Here are just a few ideas: 1. Tortilla steamer: homemade tortillas need to steam a little after being cooked. The island wrap is perfect for this. 2. Sweat rag: what better use when you're sweating like crazy on a hike and are wearing yards of extra fabric? 2. Blanket: cold on a "winter" night? Time to break in that new island wrap by wrapping up in it! 3. Curtain: hang it up and you've got privacy anywhere! Too bright out? Hang an island wrap and you're "covered." 4. Carrying bag: not enough hands? Tie it up and sling it on your back. 5. Baby sling: an alternate on the carrying bag concept. 6. Beach blanket: packs small and spreads out large. 7. Towel: forgot your towel? Just pick up your "beach blanket" and towel off! 8. Tablecloth: want a "pi...

Picnicking before the month of fasting begins I find it intriguing how an entire society can change to revolve around fasting.  -- Every morning I hear a guy running around at 2AM telling people to eat before the sun rises. -- Some nights the bakery next door will be baking bread at midnight. It's easier to smell fresh baked bread when you're allowed to eat it, rather than when you're fasting. -- Shops stay open later in the afternoon, but then open later in the evening. Instead of being closed 1-5, they're closed 3-8. This way people cooking for their "breaking the fast feast" can shop later in the day rather than first thing in the morning. Shop owners who are going to pray at the last call to prayer reopen their shops after prayer. -- Everyone is thinking about fasting. At the beginning of the month, the question everyone asked me was always "are you fasting? Did you fast today? Are you able to fast?" Now the question is "How many days did yo...