Back to "civilization"

We were out in our village for an entire month. We are happy to get some news. We had prepared a long message for you all but that seems to have disappeared from our drive so a quick note for now.
The airconditioned cybercafe is a strange change from sitting out in the open as a sandstorm bears down heavily on us with no where to hide. Sitting and around with our host families while we all get covered in sand and try unsucessfully to keep it out of our eyes is even less pleasant than it sounds. Very surreal. Wishing we could say it is a rare event.
We are settling into our new home. Our days tend to be the same. Wake at dawn, exercise, go to market for fresh bread right out of the oven, eat it, study a bit, go for lunch, rest, go greet people in town, dinner, tea, go home to bed. Repeat thirty more times. That sums it up.
We have had some very funny moments, though. Sam found out Mark cannot jump rope, which she laughed about until she literally cried. Mark found out Sam, who is fine onroad, can barely ride a bike offroad. They both progress slowly at these trials and are pleased that they continue to learn new things about each other even after ten years!
Language is coming along slowly. Smiles are easy to come by in our town, which gives us one even when we do not feel like smiling. Hope all is well in USA.