AMONG the great things about Ramadan is the atmosphere in the evenings on the streets.

With evening prayers now finishing after midnight, the streets are full of people either travelling home or heading to the nearest takeaway to get their burger fix.

Now, it took a few days of getting used to, but one has to admit the evenings are actually quite eventful.

It is the only time you can catch up with people.

And also it is the only time when you have a few moments to relax.

I saw a strange sight earlier this week when I passed our local petrol station based on the top of Montague Street in Blackburn.

It was after 12.30am and there was queue of cars waiting to park up.

The nature of business itself has been turned on its head. Also it is a weird sight to see so many people wandering aimlessly in a supermarket after midnight.

Yes, midnight shopping is the new pastime.

Anyway, going shopping on an empty stomach is not something I advise.

People with short tempers are to be avoided at all costs.

The best idea I heard recently was someone talking about midnight football.

Yes, a local football arena was looking at opening up after 12 for those who want to play football and shed some of samosa fat that has built up.

I tried it once – it is pretty tough. Nearly as bad as playing football as fasting which I found to be a lot easier really.

What is equally fascinating is how one’s body clock adapts to the situation quite quickly. Instead of going to sleep and getting up again to eat, it is far easier to simply stay awake until 2am, eat and then go to sleep.

What I also found getting used to was how some folk simply go ‘underground’ during the month of Ramadan.

By this I mean they will not answer your calls anytime in the morning or after seven.

Come 10pm and they are on the blower. That is the time to switch off for an hour.