1. the heat (it's dry, though, so not as tough as it can be, say, in humid Arkansas). We are averaging temps in the upper 90's lately, and this is only the beginning. July and August are some of the hottest months here. We are so thankful to have two rooms in our house with a.c. units. With fans, we can cool off most of the apartment.
2. the Arab-Americans visiting family for the summer. Every time I've gone to the grocery store lately, I will be totally thrown off because we will see an Arab family and then they will speak perfect English as they compare prices in the cereal aisle. Not that people who live here don't speak great English, but these people make you think you are back in the states shopping at Wal-Mart.
3. the shorts. Times, they are a'changing. From what we hear, things have become a little more progressive every summer. More and more young guys can be seen out on the streets wearing shorts and even flip-flops. This is interesting because it used to be that no one (no one respectable, that is) was ever seen out wearing shorts. I think the younger guys can get away with it more. We still don't see older men or guys Daniel's age bearing their legs in public - though Daniel would love it because it's so stinkin' hot outside.
4. the football (a.k.a soccer). At least this summer. The country has gone World Cup crazy! Everyone has a flag on their car showing their support of one team or another.
5. the fireworks. That's right, it's wedding season here, too. Unfortunately, there have been a lot of weddings close by which means fireworks that sound like they are directly outside our window. At 10:00 at night. Waking up our sweetly sleeping bambino. Ugh.
Lots more to come as the summer months progress!
