After two straight days of everything being closed from a strike, awoke this morning excited my favorite breakfast place would be back in business. But... found everything closed again!

One of the half dozen ever-smiling, non-English speaking old ladies that have invited me to their house for breakfast stopped me, hugged me then started speaking the local language very fast & shaking her hand in the direction I was headed. After reminding her many times that I do not speak her language, someone came over to translate... apparently there'd been a grenade attack last night! And very close to my hotel! Don't know the details yet but am about to go play Nancy Drew & find out...

However, I'm still completely in love with this town! Even with everything being shut down, last few days filled my time making the rounds, visiting all my new friends here. And lapping up all the great food they offer. Yesterday afternoon went to the house of one the richest men in town. Absolute dear! Very unassuming, drives a beater car but lives in a mansion because "he only likes money for what it can do for his family". And his family is great! He & his brother have side-by-side mansions housing a total of 5 girls & 4 boys ages 20-30 & all highly educated & just as unassuming. Had such a wonderful time with the girls... couldn't stop talking with the girls long enough to get to know the boys, mothers or the crazy old grandmother... that when he asked me to stay with his family, said yes! I've had lots of offers to stay with people, but this is the first time I've agreed.

The only problem... the owners of my hotel are so great that I hate to tell them I'm leaving! In fact, they've invited me for tonight's circumcision party. (Boy I hope they're not preforming it!) And it's a big celebration! Four cooks have been pounding meat since early this morning.

So I don't care if there's more strikes & grenades, everyone is so wonderful, I'm not leaving! Never!