No, No! The Republic, not the State!

 October 19, 2021 Oh my goodness!  I wake up to find that dawn is just breaking in all its spectacular glory! Our first real honest-to-good sunrise! Site of the great pokes! Eventually we go down to breakfast and all the staff is so friendly and welcoming!  I don't understand why the other hotel guests aren't as charmed by them as we are! After breakfast we go upstairs and Ammar says he needs to go out for a few hours.  He is preparing a surprise for me and I'll find out what it is when he gets back!  I've learned not to ask questions!!  He is full of surprises and I haven't been disappointed yet!!  I'll merrily blog and listen to Spotify.  The mind boggles at the possibilities! I'm researching a good Turkish restaurant for tonight and there seems to be a street with several on it!  And I learn that the market with the Soviet memorabilia is called the Dry Bridge Bazaar.   Eventually I get a text asking me to meet Ammar in front of t...

 October 18, 2021 This morning began quite early as Ammar came home around 3:30.  This young Saudi man has overstayed his welcome in my mind.  He refused to leave the night club (or whatever it was) for hours.  When Ammar got home he was sick and his head was spinning from the loud music and the terrifying cab ride home. I'm in favor of letting Jihad know what's going on and letting her decide whether or not to tell his mother. Such an interesting sky this morning! I got up around eight, after finally getting back to sleep, did my yoga, and went to breakfast.  A most solicitous young man was serving me at the buffet and he gave me more pancakes than I asked for, both green and black olives in huge quantities, two batter-wrapped cheese sticks that he decided I would love, and a huge glob of Nutella that he was sure I needed for my pancakes!   At the omelet station I observed the subtle ways in which service people can show their favoritism.  I had ...