Good times

Local transportation

John and I hosted a big brunch at our house last Sunday. We had 30+ people here – lots of fun. Saleem cooked most everything. I had made a couple of casseroles the day before. Everyone seemed to have a really good time, and it was a good mix of people.

On Tuesday, we had a going-away lunch (early) for Brett, hosted by the local staff. They did it in advance of his actual departure date because Ramadan will be going on when he actually leaves (it started this week). During Ramadan, Muslims fast all day. It’s hard when Ramadan falls during the summer. They get up around 3:30 AM for prayers and to eat before the sun comes up; then they can’t eat or drink again until the sun goes down – very difficult in such heat. The Embassy observes shorter work hours for local staff, so they stagger six-hour per day shifts.

Tuesday night, John took me back to Manhattan for another good steak. We’re really enjoying it.

John is now back in Arkansas for his home leave! He left mid-week. It’s weird to be here alone. I re-watched “The Savages” (with Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman) Thursday night. Friday night I started the “Downton Abbey” series – really good.

I worked all day Saturday – it’s a great feeling to walk away with a clean desk and inbox! It was right about sundown when I left the office, and the locals were all enjoying their iftar, their evening meal to break the fast. All of the guards in the diplomatic enclave where eating by the side of the road in small groups. It was a ghost town! Instead of normal traffic, I saw only a couple of cars on the road, and absolutely no pedestrians. It was kind of eerie, and peaceful at the same time, a bit reminiscent of yom kippur in Israel.

Comments are closed.