Week 2.....

Week 2 has now come and gone, Mark has finished his first work week. All seems to have gone very well, lots of paperwork, learning the layout of the office, meeting all his new work buddies and with that all their names to remember, not an easy feat. He loves his elevator to elevator commute-3-6 minutes, and he gets to come home (to the hotel) for lunch. He will have a 5 day 48+hour work week that is Sunday thru Thursday, with lots of travel in the near future.

We would love to express our sincere love and thanks to all our family, friends and co-workers who have helped, supported and encouraged us on in our new adventure, it was not easy for us. Without all of you this could not have ever been possible. You have all touched our life in many special and different ways.

Happy to say, the jet lag is gone and we are both finally sleeping. This morning was the first night we didn't hear the "call to prayer" around 4:07am.

The Muslim is called to prayer five times a day. The call to prayer is heard at dawn, at the midday, about the middle of the afternoon, just after sunset, and at night fall about two hours after sunset.

The muezzin, a man appointed to call to prayer, climbs the mineret of the mosque, and he calls in all directions, "Hasten to prayer." Many mosques no longer require the muezzin to climb the mineret. Instead, a loud speaker carries the message.

Our Friend Kathryn Quade (from Poulsbo) has been so wonderful in showing us around, helping find our apartment, explaining things, and keeping me very busy while Mark is working. She has taken me to a couple women's coffee meetings and introduced me to many of her friends. She is leaving for the summer (as are most of the women-it's too hot) on Wednesday, I will miss her company.

I go out walking quite a bit trying to get familiar with the streets and shops, so much always looks the same, so you have to use the buildings as guides. I come back a dripping mess, but I do enjoy them. I can't wait until I can go running outside and along the corniche, probably Sept, but for now I am using the treadmill quite a bit.

We have found a furnished apartment in the Vision Twin Towers, a 2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath. It's very nice and we can't wait to move in, any day now. we'll get pictures up soon.