afternoon thoughts

so, check out my chaco tan! pretty nice, aye? i love to walk around here and today was just one of those days i decided to walk a bit. and it turned out interesting. but let me back track a bit and share with you about lunch. so, i have totally gotten into the Friday lunch deal here. even though none of my friends wanted to or else they were unable to go to our weekly spot, i just had to go. there is something about having a special place where the waiters expect to see you there each week. i like it.
so, it was just wahed (one), me, and it was funny. i think the waiter was suprised by me being myself, but i just love their cous cous! so, he sat me at a table and didn't even hand me the menu--mixed cous cous and fresh squeezed orange juice afek (please)! and it was totally delicious. but what was so fun, was that my server asked how my family was doing. it is such a neat part of the culture here. i am really getting into it for sure.
so, back to my walk. i haven't mentioned this much on here, but the dudes here can get a bit intense with their pursuit. today i had a guy that was in front of me, but following me almost at the same time. he was making sure that he knew where i was and making sure i was still walking along in his sphere. well, i didn't want to pass him cause i would rather see him ahead of me than not know what is going on behind (i have had this happen before). i even tried to stop and check a text message to let him pass, but it didn't work for long. he showed back up. finally he said something, which i wish would happen initially cause it helps the process go much more quickly. see, he tries to talk to me in French, i don't know French, so i don't respond and i don't even want to let a converstation begin. so, he tried a couple of times to get my attention, but i managed to turn to walk on the other side and he immediately got the idea and crossed the street! i wish that would have taken place like six blocks earlier! anyways. it is just interesting. so, after i got home from my nice walk about the city, i immediately ordered a ring that i plan to wear on my left ring finger. i really don't like the idea of wearing anything on that finger as i want to save it for that special purpose, but i feel it may help (some friends have adopted this strategy) with the guys here.
also, this afternoon on my walk it was interesting to watch how the city semi-closes down for Friday prayers and the sermon-esque. it is so quiet, yet ringing with the call and sermon-esque. i was kind of looking forward to the possible quiet in my walk, but i ended up with a buddy instead. oh well.
i got to practice a little bit of language, too. which was good.
i am so grateful for my language tutor. she is such a doll. she is really, really great. the day was good. a good lesson with her (you can see us together in the photo), an absolutely fabulous lunch, nice walk, and fun, fun, fun with some kiddos later on. we had a bit of a dance party and got some of it on video!! what an incredible opportunity our life is really, huh?