I have been having a few problems with the internet over the last few days - it is quite singularly the biggest annoyance/restriction to living here. I rely on it for my news (most of you know I am a complete news& blog junkie) and also as a means of communicating with all of you back at home. We seem to have better coverage today though, so hopefully it has been a slight blip. I did wonder if it had danything to do with the Harjj which has just started, but am told that the whole point of the Harjj is that the pilgrims come (Over 1 million of them apparently) to Mecca without any trappings of wealth - most wear just a towel! so I guess not many have their laptops and Wifi with them.
We have a potentially very interesting and diverse weekend coming up - We have been invited to a proper Thanksgiving dinner here by 2 of the Americans who live on the compound - with deep fried turkey & all the trimmings! - we are very honoured as we are the only Brit only couple invited - although eldest daughter is of course a yank! - everyone else going is either American or married to one. The other invitation that we have had has come from a saudi colleague who works with him indoors, a day out in the desert with his family for "proper Saudi food" whatever that is, along with camels, Abaya's in my case, etc etc I have no idea what to expect but will let you know.
