Acclimatizing... nice and easy.

Going for runs here to get used to the heat is just a drain on the system - wow.  At times it feels like sucking air from a blow dryer, other times from a steaming kettle!  Nevertheless, trying to do my part by going to the gym and sitting / walking / etc. in the sun.  The break has been going well thus far.  I'd love to give more details of what I see and what I've been doing, but they would be such dead giveaways of location, that I simply can't.  Hence - you'll have to wait until we have tea together when I get back.  Speaking of which - one of the mother's of my students gave me some wise advice the last time she saw me right before departing.  She said: "hot tea... it's what'll get you through the heat."  It sounded kind of counter intuitive to me at first.  I mean - back at home, to ward off hypothermia, what do you do?  You drink hot fluids, of course.  So now that I'm boiling hot - how does it make any sense that I should drink hot fluids then too?  Well - I have no idea how it works, but I've been doing it... and it seems to work!  (Thanks for the advice Ma'am!)  People around me think I'm crazy, however, while they sip away at their chilled fruity drinks.

Again, today I tried to hang with representatives of three stars and a sun.  They are so nice!  Many a time it has been a really friendly conversation with sincere concern and charity.  I pray for my new acquaintances, as I have listened to their difficulties - which they never complain about, but carry out quietly.  If they all offered up their work, the world will be a better, more holy place for sure.  My heart breaks when I hear their stories, but at the same time - it is like meeting with extended family!  They are my people!

I was impressed with the fidelity of the local people here.  5 times a day, as we studied in class, there is a call to prayer that can be heard over loudspeakers.  I observe many mosques and prayer rooms - in places you would never imagine.  Their faith is strong - and I try to take the opportunity to pray as well, whenever these reminders of their culture come.  It is easy to fear - but we all have to remember, we are all children of God, and can thus somehow, somewhere speak a common language of charity - and also Our Lady who they honour in their faith as well.  I am impressed with their dedication to their faith.  We could all learn something from these brothers and sisters of ours.  I pray we might also share our charity with them, as well, and that that may identify to them who we are... just as it was spoken of us in the past in certain great cities of antiquity.

I tried eating a local meal today - it was a bit of a schmozzle!  A buddy of mine tried to eat locally as well, but he was discouraged as he saw locals fighting over the orders for food.  I almost suffered the same fate - if it weren't for my little knowledge of a language spoken by one of the servers.  In the end - it was a delicious meal... which I had to get clarification from a gentleman sitting near me about how to eat it!  I wished you could have joined me!  (There was tonnes of food!)

Keeping you all in my prayers.  Take care and God Bless!