Bibliocycle

Today for the first time the salt shaker worked.  I don’t know what it says about me that I have continued to try the salt shaker day after day with no results, but it was nice to have salt on my scrambled eggs, as I think that I am slightly dehydrated.  It would be good if the salt signified an end to the humidity that accompanies the monsoon season, but I think that it only means that new salt has been added to the shaker this morning.

The plan today was for me to spend the morning in two schools, and the afternoon making plans for follow up with Nooruddin.  However, I waited in the hotel lobby and then out in front at the pick up circle for ½ hour for the promised car to arrive and returned to my room after failing to reach Nooruddin on his cell phone.  I didn’t mind the wait, which was pleasant in a way—watching the comings and goings on a busy Monday morning—but I did feel somewhat vulnerable.  Cars are checked by armed guards as they pull in to a barricaded entrance to the hotel (there was a serious bombing a few years back) but the checks are really perfunctory.  It is not a good time to be an American abroad.

Nooruddin has just called to say that he doesn’t know what has become of the driver.  I suggested that we cancel the morning visits, and that he come to the hotel later this afternoon for our meeting.  Tonight I will visit his home and meet his family.  I have brought presents from the States for his young children.