The Lagoon

Each day I am learning something new and adapting to life here in Sinai. I especially have a new home lesson. Anwar told me to use the drain covers at night...but I have been so obsessed with the mosquito issue that I thought: still water=mosquito heaven (the faucets drip a bit). Well, this morning I learned why: cockroaches. Yes, my new friends are cockroaches. It's funny, though, because as my mother can attest to--I am horribly grossed out by all insects. The worst for me are spiders, oh how they creep me out. But I've come a long way and now a cockroach is not so bad. But I admit I'd rather take cockroaches any day over spiders as they really just want to hide and don't creepy crawl on you and bite you. Plus, my house is so small and sparse in regards to furniture that there isn't much of anywhere to hide and my eye is trained to spot bugs. In any case, I am slowly learning how to live in the desert in a cement house that was probably built in a day and is not, well, air-tight.

Me and Anwar at the Lagoona

Today was my first attempt at trying to do something about my glow in the dark white legs. Anwar and I went swimming at the lagoona today and it was so nice and peaceful...no tourists save for a few snorklers. It has been quite hot lately with not much wind, so the cool clear water was a nice break. It was about a 30 minute walk along the promenade to the lagoona. And it was hot enough that we had to stop once along the way to rest at a bedouin camp. I'm still getting used to the concept of drinking hot liquids in 100+ degree weather. The concept makes sense: drink hot liquids and your system works harder to cool the body down...so constant hot liquids keeps this all in motion. But like I said, all you can think about is water but sometimes the best thing is some hot tea or coffee.

Me at the Lagoona

After swimming I returned home for a little siesta to listen to music and relax. Then it was back into town for a lamb shawrma dinner and then coffee and sheesha at Al Capone. My body is adjusting to the daily cycle here, slowly but surely. Everything is done on a much later schedule. For example, lunch is usually not until about 4 or 5 and then dinner at around 10pm. Then, bed doesn't come around until 2am or so. I'm still getting used to this but I'm sure it'll happen. And all day long there are plenty of coffee and tea breaks lounging in the shade.

The main promenade at night in Dahab is alive with activity. The sides of the pedestrian street are lined with shops selling everything imaginable for tourists, and restaurant after restaurant. Each one has its best English speaker out front acting as a salesman luring people to dinner with an eye-catching display of the day's fresh fish (see picture from last entry). Everything is lit up and a blend of chill-out music can be heard from every eatery. The other thing is that Dahab is filled with stray dogs and cats. The dogs are especially quirky as they just roam about and aren't bothered by anyone. It's funny because once in a while one will follow you as if you are its owner and hang with you for a bit. Then it'll take off as quickly as it appeared. They are like one big family and from the looks of it--are probably all in-bred as they all are some version of a shepherd or lab. But they're very sweet and don't bite or cause problems. They'll just plop themselves down in the middle of the promenade as if they own the place. My street where I live is also filled with roaming goats and camels...I often wonder who (if anyone) they belong to. As if the blend of animals weren't eough...the streets are filled with skin-baring tourists and lost-looking hippies and then Egyptian men in the traditional galabaya and head covering (the galabaya is the long dress-thing the mean wear). And as usual, there are really no Egyptian women to be seen.

The Dahab promenade at night

Well, that was my day...I have no idea what is in store for tomorrow. Anwar said something about taking out some horses that his friend owns and going riding along the beach--but it could just be another lazy day. I hope everyone is well.

What I miss today: peanut butter & jelly and good wine

Ma Salama