And here we go again...

My father arrived in Dubai.

He got off the plane, the driver picked him up, and call to prayer started.

Driver promptly left him alone for a few minutes so he could go do namaze.

Welcome to a Muslim country, Daddy.

Ramadan starts tonight (or so I've been told), also, a great time to show up in an Islamic society. People in Azerbaijan are more socially conservative than they are religious, so if it is like last year, I doubt I'll see much change because of the holiday. But in the UAE, stuff shuts down.

Though it is damn hot. My electricity bill is going to be ridiculous because all I do is run my fan, 24/7. This baby is getting a good work out.

Being back at site has been nice - good to be in my house. Even though I came home and it looked like someone had robbed me. No no, my landlady had shown up, and 'cleaned' and rearranged things how she saw fit.

Whatever.

Everything seems to still be here. Generally.

I haven't done any clubs yet (we don't do much on the weekends), but I saw two of my girls and we have softball tonight - and I'm super excited to see everyone's faces.

It's strange to be back, especially since I've arrived as a lot of crazy is going on around me. Not crazy happening to me, just going on around me, and it is hard not to internalize all of it. I had a lot of realizations when I was home, one being that I think I've gotten most of what I want out of this experience. Personally, at least, I feel like I've achieved what I set out to do. There's some big stuff in the next few months, and if I have to leave in December, it'll be a fine way to go.

*note: I almost wrote, "if I have to go home in Dec," but then I realized that I wouldn't be going home. I'd be starting something else...it's odd to constantly be checking and revising your vocabulary, and the things you've been saying for months on end...

I don't think it's news to anyone at this point that I'm considering extending, and I'll find out in the next 2 weeks if Peace Corps has approved me to stay.

That's one of those things I'm getting used to. Sitting in my uncertainty. It's not fun, I don't like it, but I'm used to it.

It's hot. I don't like the heat. I miss air conditioning. And, you know, my family and friends. Them too. :)