You Spent the Night Where?!?!?!?!

Matilda recently celebrated her 24th birthday and wanted to do something unusual. So, she invited some local friends and we went about 45 minutes outside of our city to stay in a yurt. A yurt is kind of like a big rounded tent that some of the nomadic minority groups have lived in and continue to live in today. I was expecting plain ole' tent camping. Yet, our yurt had the conveniences of a tv, dvd player, a piano, tables and chairs, and a coal burning stove. Pretty fancy, I must say. Maybe almost like RV camping, minus the bathroom. They also have a section that is a flat surface built up high covered with some type of material and that is where everyone sleeps. You just grab a blanket and pillow and find a spot. We had a great time eating, watching movies, playing games and seeing the surroundings. It's nice to get outside the city to a quiet place and relax a little. Thankful for this time of rest and refreshment.

Forgetting to pay....

We have this great vendor at the front gate of our university that makes tortillas. It is great fun to watch him make them. They can make them plain or with an egg cooked inside. They are both delicious. One Sunday I was purchasing some to take for our fellowship time. I ordered them and then the girl bagged them up for me. I took them, thanked her and went on my merry way. I heard someone calling out. I turned to see what was going on. Little did I know that the shouting was for me. The tortilla man was rubbing his fingers together as if to say, "Where's my money?!?!" I was so embarrassed and quickly returned to apologize for my blunder. Everyone laughed as I paid and offered my apologies again. I don't know if I'm getting older or if living in a foreign country is making me more forgetful. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I can laugh about it and make others laugh in the process.

A Chirping Chick and an Ice Cream Truck

My alarm clock finally bit the dust. From previous experience I have found that if you purchase an alarm clock from a vendor on the street it usually sounds like a time bomb ticking . So, I opted for an alarm clock from a nicer store where I usually shop. Usually, in the clock area, there is someone to help you select a clock and they also put batteries in it to let you hear how it sounds. Well, this time, there was no one around and I was in a bit of a hurry. So, I just selected one on my own and took my chances. After I returned home, I got out some batteries to get my clock going. As soon as I turned on the alarm, I realized that this was no ordinary clock. Most clocks awake you to the sound of a number of consecutive beeps that grow louder as it continues to go off. Well, my new clock begins with a sound like that of a chick chirping. It then proceeds to begin playing a song that sounds like it would come from an ice cream truck. To finish it off, when you turn the alarm off, a sweet little voice comes on and says, "Good Morning." I laughed my head off and had to let Matilda and Katie in on the fun. We all laughed together as we continue to be reminded that everyday is an adventure here in EA.

McDonald's, Monkeys, Elephants, and Airports

Me, Cocoa and Ronald












A monk buying a bird. Afterwards he set it free. Hoping that he may find true freedom...

Some young boys playing and singing on the street.

Matilda telling the elephant with her hands: "I got nothin'."

Didn't know that elephants smile!









This little guy had his breakfast, lunch, and dinner ready to go.








This little monkey wanted Cocoa's glasses

instead of the banana!

Just hangin' out!

Seeing the sights from the back of an elephant!






In the airport we found this bench that was too funny, so we had to act out the caption:

"For the old, tired, and pregnant"