Something homeward bound

I have to admit, that lately I have not been the best blogger! I know, I know. But I'll try to do better! I had a really restful week in Istanbul a couple weeks back and now I'm back for the final leg of my journey. I have officially bought my ticket home. October 24, Jackson, MS 7:30...Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be home.
But, here I am for the moment and enjoying all the time I can get with friends. We went to see our neighbors tonight and of course, they are not ready for me to leave and would prefer (they did ask), that we visit them daily! Not sure about daily, but I am making the most of every minute with these sweet people I've come to love. Things are a bit different here this month. It's Ramadan time and that means during the days, most people around us are fasting. This is a spiritual month for our neighbors in that they fast during the day in order to try and win favor with their god. But, before they fast, they wake up about 4 every morning to eat before the sun technically rises and they are obligated to fast. We do not fast with them and we do not celebrate the 4 o'clock pre-fasting meal with them, but if we wanted to...we could. There's an official pre-fast alarm clock for anyone who cares to be woken up and anyone who doesn't want to be woken up! I have woken up about every other morning since the neighborhood drummer started making his rounds before the crack of dawn. Good reminder to pray for those around me and then, roll over and go back to sleep immediately (which if you know me, then you know I have no problem doing).