Hooray!

Yep, it looks like we were approved for another month here! We took a local friend (Steven) who helped with translation and stood next to the security window for a good 30 minutes. This security window is literally a window in a building where the screen is ripped part way up to allow transfer of passports; so you are standing next to a building peeping into a room and eventually someone notices and if your fortunate, grabs your passport and papers and you proceed to the next window... Where we pay our fees and then go to yet another window where we get some stamps, give our passports and get a receipt and are left standing there empty handed again! Thankfully our friend read the slip, in Arabic, and it says they will be ready the next day...! Phew!

Our American friend and I went next door to visit our neighbors- I asked her to accompany me as my Arabic is far below sub-par. It was actually quite fun and long overdue, as we've been receiving some not so pleasant looks from her lately. Visiting neighbors is customary and virtually mandatory and it involves a lot of sitting and feeling awkward while they prepare tea- which usually takes a ridiculously long time. I fumbled my way with Arabic and my friend filled in the gaps. It was pleasant and invigorating- we both weren't exactly positive as to what they were chatting about, but we heard the word for cheese (jibna) quite a bit...? Ummm...guessing I need to work on the Arabic a bit more.

Photos: Enjoying tea with our local deaf tea lady (not in pictures)