Bathrooms and Weight Loss

We have been in Little Rock for two days now and I am loving it!!!!! I forgot how much I love a hot shower! I have been remembering everyday in the shower. I am really missing the African bread, but I make up for it by consuming large amounts of cheese

Many people have asked me about culture shock coming back to the States. I have only really been around my family and Jason's family so far, so I haven't really experienced anything shocking yet. I bought a new pair of pants at Old Navy (definitely my favorite store) and it was really nice to be able to try them on. Besides that I have just been appreciating weird little things a lot more. If anything shocking comes along I will keep you posted.

Speaking of appreciating weird things I am truly grateful for these things we have here called public restrooms. In Bissau there aren't any bathrooms anywhere. If you don't go in your house you are going to be going on the side of the road. Luckily I never had to do that. Actually, you see men going on the side of the road all the time, but I have never seen a woman doing that. I don't really know what they would do. I was in Walmart the other day getting my hair cut and doing a little shopping (new tooth brushes, q-tips, some shampoo, etc) and I really had to go to the bathroom. I was mad at myself for not going at home and doing a little dance in the isle when I realized, "Hey, I think they have a bathroom here!" I went over and was pleasantly delighted (It really doesn't take much more than a toilet and hot water in the faucet to impress me anymore). Anyway, I don't think I will complain about public bathrooms for a long time.

So far the best thing about being back is seeing the people that I have only been emailing. The second best thing is hot showers and the third best thing is anonymity. When I was in Walmart no one was looking at me. No little children were talking about me. No one was asking me for anything and no one was trying to charge me triple the normal price for something. In fact, the prices for everything were written right on the shelves!! It sounds kind of funny, I mean who wouldn't want to be the center of attention everywhere they go? Trust me, it gets old...

For those of you that have heard the rumors, yes, Jason did loose 35 pounds in Africa. It is not true that I didn't feed him, however. It is just hard to eat a lot when it is so hot out. Also we really didn't eat much meat. Basically we ate a lot of rice and pasta. Hmmm, so on the reverse Atkins diet Jason lost weight without trying… corny, I know. Actually he is taking steps to regain his former girth, starting with a trip to Mongolia Barbeque with a group from his tennis team.

Alright, well I need to get back to the hard work of relaxing. It takes a special kind of person to enjoy a vacation and I am going to enjoy it to the fullest.