Originally published: August 12, 2017

Beautiful architecture. Fascinating.

Beautiful people – gorgeous, whiter than white robes, perfectly groomed beards, stunning Rolex watches. Gorgeous women with black flowing robes in creative layers, designer sunglasses, bejeweled iPhone cases, and incredible Italian shoes. The smells of expensive soaps and complex, sophisticated perfumes.

My compound – well-built, well-maintained. Amazing, luxury amenities like the pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, workout rooms, yoga rooms, tennis courts, squash court, billiards room, laundry service, a restaurant that delivers. Apartment: Living/dining room, two offices, one bedroom, kitchen, three and a half baths.

Outside – breathtakingly hot. 110F/40C degrees but with humidity, it feels like 120/50. I got lightheaded just walking from the bus into the school. The humidity makes it feel oddly less punishing and more like a sauna. Because the heat is absolutely surrounding me, engulfing me like a steambath it doesn’t feel as if it is beating down on me and baking my skin or my head.

The air – much more breathable and clear than expected. The smells are mostly car exhaust, sand, ocean, and the soft green of palm and various desert plants I have no name for.

The sounds of the call to prayer. Fascinating. What a beautiful aspect of this culture where everyone stops five times a day to think about whether or not they are living in accordance with their values. A moment to stop and be grateful for your life and what you have, a moment to stop and think about being supported and cared for by a higher power and a community, a moment to consider all of the ethical implications of how you are conducting your life. It’s quite lovely. 

So far, I am overwhelmed with senses and impressions, and while I want to process them and write about them – I also don’t want them to calcify and become my experience. I want to see so much more and remain open to just experiencing.

Hardest thing to get used to? Don’t flush the toilet paper.

Easiest thing to get used to? Everyone speaks English.

So far so good.