Last evening was way out of the ordinary for here.  First off there was a larger group of Brits who stay on the West Bank long term at the hotel for game night.  That was fine, but then a few of them decided to play bocce right in the area I sit.......the quiet area....no more.  When they finally finished it was so refreshing to only hear silence.

I returned to my room and the Canadians came over for a drink and a chat.  She drew Mohamed, but he was not thrilled with the likeness.  She had done me earlier In the day and it was acceptable. It was quite late ten or eleven when they returned to their room.

Today I had the honour of being invited to Ashraf's home for lunch and to meet his wife and children.  I do not have a photo of his wife because it was not permitted.  Mohamed was not invited because Noura (wife) is a traditional Bedouin and no man can see her face except husband and family. .  

Ashraf met Noura when he was doing a building in the Dakhla Oasis, settlement of el Dohous, a Bedouin village.  Remember I spent five days there last year at this time.  They have two children, both under school age so they are able to spend a few months in Dakhla and then a few months here.

Mohamed went to the bakery and picked up a cake for me to take.

That was great because today was their 4th wedding anniversary and Noura's birthday.  She prepared a feast and everything was delicious.

They live just around the corner from the hotel.