Bonus Week

This goes with the 'unmarked road construction' referenced in the last post. This one just popped up today although, to be fair, some people might would call this 'marked'. I wouldn't, but some might.
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This week is bonus week....in life. That's right, just like the bonus round in a game show or on a video game. The last week of Ramadan is bonus week and people get extra points for doing all of the things that they're supposed to be doing all year but don't. So this week everyone gives alms to the poor, everyone says their prayers 5 times a day, etc. and everyone makes a big show out of it.

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One thing I've found interesting is how many beggars are out. Sorry if I talk about beggars like they're commonplace but here, well, they are commonplace and I am bombarded by people constantly asking for money and it gets old. Anyways, there are all kinds of people out. They're on the street corners, they knock at your front door and then if you open it they stand in the way and you can't close the door until some stranger with a kind heart sees you and comes over to pull them away, they stand in between you and your car and won't let you get in until you threaten to go to the police station.

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But after a while you kind of get to know them, at least the regulars. Not really know them, but I recognize the people who sit in certain intersections all year long and I'll give the kids a piece of candy every now and then. But this week the 'professionals' are out, the ones who are just out to take advantage of bonus week. They come out of the woodwork, it's crazy.

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The good thing, however, is that for this week and this week only the beggars might just leave me alone. They know that they'll get more money out of the local than the foreigner so they opt to ignore me and ask the locals. If, by chance, one of them happens to forget that it's bonus week, I kindly remind them that it's the last week of ramadan and I am not a Muslim. If they still won't leave me alone I might say something like 'you know, I heard that it's Ramadan and that muslims are supposed to be giving money. There is one right there (I point to the guy in the car next to me) and I bet, if you ask nicely, he'll give you more money than I will b/c all I have is some crackers and you can't eat for another 6 hours'. They usually leave me alone after that.

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Some would argue that we're supposed to love people and take care of the poor and the widows and orphans and I agree and I do that as often as I tactfully can. That's pretty much what my job at the NGO is all about. But I just can't start handing out money in the street here or I'll be mobbed by people looking for a free handout. I'm mobbed when I give just one kid a piece of candy!

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Please don't judge me or think that I'm heartless. I know this sounds harsh, but I would guess that the majority of people have never had someone who looks surprisingly healthy walk beside you down the street for a good 10 minutes repeating the word 'money, money, money, money, money' like an auctioneer.