Stomach issues are a common problem for peace corps volunteers. Yet, if you do have a issue you get to deal with while squatting/hovering over a small hole in the floor called a turkish toilet! When I got to my host families house for the first time my host mom gave me a tour. When we got to the bathroom, I was definetly surprised to see what was behind the door. It is a small room about 3 ft by 7 ft and the ceiling is slanted. There is a sink that kinda hangs on the wall, a mirror above it, and then some faucets on the far end of the room. I don't know what I was expecting to see, but no matter what it was I was very surprised to see what was their bathroom.

Since moving into my host family's house I have taken one "bucket bath". This activity has many steps. First you have to light the water heater that his mounted on the wall above the stove in the kitchen. Then you go into the bathroom and everything that is stored in there. Then my host sister got me a big bucket and filled it with hot water and topped it off with cold water. Then she handed me sponges and back scrapers and even put a little pink plastic stool next to the bucket. It was a nice gesture of her to offer we all of their cleaning materials, but luckily I had brought my own! It was an experience trying to wash oneself by just dunking a cup in the bucket of water and pouring on myself. When it was over I decided that the Hammam (the public bath) would be a good thing to check out!

So I have heard other PCVs complain about their families or just have small issues, but mine is great. They remind me a little of my family in the states. They are laid back and easy going and we are always laughing. So I feel very lucky. I had my language teacher tell my host mom that I felt very lucky and was really enjoying living with them. That made my host mom really happy. Now she introduces me to everyone as her daughter!! And I call her my mom!! They have made me part of their family and I like it!!

Our daily schedule is: 8:30 to 10:30 arabic launguage lessons, 10:30 to 10:45 we have a tea and coffee break, 10:45 to 12:30 more language and culture lessons, 12:30 till 2 is lunch and nap time, 2:00 to 4:00 is more language or culture or reflection time, 4:00 to 4:15 is a tea and coffee break again. After that we go to the dar chebab and hangout with kids till about 6 and then we have free time. We will go to cafes, or snack stands or over to someone's house and hangout with their family. We have been going to our dar chebab which is the youth center. We have been hanging out with kids and testing them on english.

I am slowly adjusting and starting to feel more comfortable here. Hopefully my language improves soon, but for now i am HAPPY!!

I hope to put more pics up sooon!!