The groove of things

Hello again, I realize that it has been a while since I posted on the blog. This is due, in part, to two reasons: first, that I just forget sometimes, and second, that sometimes I really don't have any time. Anyway, there hasn't been anything really spectacular going on lately so this is kind of just some mind vomit of events over the past week (vivid imagery, no?)

So this weekend we had some visitors from the Colorado office. They had recently finished a month long project trip in Afghanistan and came through India to visit before heading home. They shared some really cool stories about getting to know the Afghan people and living in the heart of the Muslim world. For example, as a people they love to laugh, and most of the older generations are all for laying down weapons and picking up books and computers. And while ladies are given almost no leeway in public, behind locked doors and shut windows they dance, laugh, and joke together.

Other than that, things have been pretty normal. This weekend we visited the local botanical garden and taxied to a waterfall in the area. Both places were interesting, but very touristy. The only strange thing is that I've had some swelling and pain in my jaw. I had to see a doctor/hospital (going to the hospital is going to the doctor, not something more serious) since it wasn't getting any better, and he said it looks like a blocked or partially blocked salivary gland. Weird. So I've been taking some meds and it has gotten better, but its still bothering me. If you could pray for my jaw I would appreciate it. I found a bunch of guys (many from the local hospital) that play soccer a couple of times a week, so I'm really pumped about that. Since were in the mountains, we play in a fenced-in terrace with rock walls and its very similar to indoor. This week in men's group we went swimming! I know it sounds bland, but the only swimming pool (other than the water fall which is FREEZING cold) is in the local 5-star hotel. They call themselves 5-star (and its better than what I stay in in the US), but they probably don't stand up to the really upscale places. Regardless, it was a really nice place, and it felt so refreshing! We had a great game of water polo and then went to the game room for pool and ping-pong.