Updates on my daily grind, I mean blog. :)

We had another protest today. This time I took my own pics. (Sorry, but my camera phone isn't all that great.) The pics are far away because we aren't allowed outside the embassy, nor are we supposed to be seen from the windows. They don't want us to provoke the protesters. Isn't that what they want, our attention? It's a bummer to have a protest. You have to change your schedule around (like not go out for lunch or errands) and then you can't even watch them closely! The kids had planned on going swimming today at the embassy, but they had to can it because of the protest. Even though the swimming pool is behind 2 walls and about 100 feet from the front wall. Just in case.

Here's a pic from my 'hiding' place in one of the offices. There were others there as well. We had the vertical blinds slightly closed so they couldn't see us.


As I was leaving at 4 there was a cool red "crowd control" truck parked right outside out gate. I took a quick pick as I drove out. After I got completely out of the cage that we drive through to get out I saw that this truck was part of a line of about 8 trucks of the same genre. They were really expecting a big crowd. The December 30 protest they had expected 500 people. This one they expected 2,000. Schools forbid their students from protesting, but the government allowed them this time. :) So nice of them. Luckily it turned out 'peaceful.'


There are things I will miss when we leave here. Like whenever I get off the freeway there is a Sikh (pronounced "Seek") temple. And an old Sikh standing outside on the sidewalk. We usually wave to him. Nice old guy.

Driving down the freeway we go 20mph in the fast lane sometimes. It still drives me mildly nuts. Today I was behind a ancient minivan that had it's spare tire held on with twine. I could see it because the bottom of the entire van was rusted away.

Worker shacks/homes under the freeway. While they are constructing something, a house, a building, a freeway, they 'house' the workers wherever they work. If it's a home the workers live in the home. They are lucky when the walls and roof is finished. (This I WON'T miss!) They did the same in China. One time we passed their 'shower' facility and a guy was taking a shower, his entire back facing the street! I still giggle about that. :)

Totally unrelated -
Val and Brian, this is Ethan Dass, and his mom, Rosalie Dass. The little brother and mom of Yovahn Dass, who you were so gracious to help before his mission. I just wanted you to see Ethan. Thanks again so much for your help. It still is a huge deal to Yovahn's family how much you did for him!