Patience is a Virtue
Mood:  smelly
Wednesday, July 28th
The good news is that my bicycle is here in the hotel with me. yahoo. The bad news is that it took 6 hours to get it out of Sky Cargo today. I shipped it freight because of the exorbitant fees they were going to charge me on Emirates Airlines. They only allow 20 kg and my two bags weigh in at a measly 37 kg. Anyway, the amount of paperwork took two agents 6 hours to weave me through. I can't remember how many papers that i signed and how many people i talked to. Customs is looking for tax evaders and drug smugglers, i think.

Anyway. There went a day of sightseeing. The streets are fairly safe during the day but i'm stashing my money in a vault when i'm out. Warnings are everywhere about theft. This is an extremely poor country and i am being very, very careful.

Tomorrow i have hired a guide, Ali, to take me on a walking tour of the town. I could walk by myself but the amount of hassling that i get from begging kids, hustling taxi guys and street hawkers just isn't worth it. He will shield me from a lot of that.

Another major hassle is that my traveler's checks from Japan are definitely not popular here. I haven't found a bank yet that will cash them. Luckily, my Magic Visa Card works in the cash machines. Ali will get a $5 bonus tomorrow if he can find me a place to cash a few traveler?s checks.

And the tale begins. I still can't believe that i am here. This morning i got up at 5:30 am to begin meditating and started the meditation by listening to the morning chant from the local mosque. What a beautiful way to start the day.

Trivia: It doesn't feel so hot but it was 86 degrees today with a low of 66 - that's comfy to me - 51% humidity.

Shalom Aleichem (peace be unto you) Hebrew