my first blog...

okay, this is my very first blog. i thought this might be easier. don't know if anyone will actually check this...but here goes.

today was a great day. i have been sleeping outside on my balcony each night so that i can say "good morning" to the sun and listen to the crashing of the waves. it's glorious. i have been cleaning the beach in front of my flat everyday and am thrilled that local bedouin families bring their kids here now. i have built a little firepit and the locals have been using this as well. it's great and i am really starting to feel somewhat part of a community. it is very different though. i have alot of expat neighbors and one in particular is an american woman that has lived in egypt for 22 years. she speaks fluently and has been teaching me. it has been a real blessing having her near.

it is a very spiritual place here. this month has been Ramadan and wooooweee..difficult to live through. emo tions are very high. but at the same time very beautiful. they fast all day and then around 5 :30 the mosque calls them to prayer and then "iftar" which is their breakfast. the only thing i can compare it to is alot like a month long thanksgiving. lots of parties and conversing. going to peoples houses to eat and share. after iftar the day really begins...so nothing really opens until after 7pm. and it sure does liven up. last night i went a bought a bunch of fresh figs and this morning after my swim sat on my balcony and ate them. delish. friggin delish.

more soon...