One week (wahed ssimanna)

Grooming lessons:  sometimes, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself

Kerry taking advantage of a rare summer puddle.

safe

With a week left, I'm hoping to take a bunch of pictures around the town I've been too proud or shy to take so far.  The people that I've been fortunate enough to meet here have contributed so much to this experience that it would be unfair not to give them proper recognition for being hands down some of the kindest, most welcoming folks I've ever met.  

I've just got to get over feeling like a creeper asking for a picture.  

As a preview...

We go through hiking boots at an alarming rate.  I suppose boot manufacturers don't count on people actually using their footwear more than two weeks a year.  As a result, every couple weeks there's a new split seam, or the sole comes unglued, or some combination of the two (and then some...).  This man ('shoe guy', or 'Assaan' as I'm sure he prefers to be called) fixes whatever is ailing our fatigued footwear, and for the flat rate of about 2 bucks a pair.  He also tuts while he gives them a much needed polish.     

He's also just a really, really nice guy.