Orientation Day

Today wasn't too exciting.  Most of my time was taken up by orientation and then the OPI exams.  I finished my exam around 6 o'clock at night and rushed to the grocery store.  It's about a mile, which in the sun can really take a toll on you.  I grabbed some food basics, pasta, bread, potatoes, an onion, chicken, beef, olive oil, and rice.  I spent a little under thirty dinars, which was less than I was expecting.  One of my biggest fears is not eating enough calories in a day.  I'm use to eating as much as possible at home, but I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money.  I'm sure I will figure out food after I've been here for a while.  After going to the grocery store, I made it to the gym, finally.  It cost fifty dinars for three months which is cheaper than what I was paying in the states.  The owner seems nice and one of the members talked with me for a bit.  Overall solid day, but still waiting for my second bag.
  There are a couple of cultural things I'd like to share before I forget.  The roads here are a dangerous place.  Cars fly by and rarely stop for pedestrians.  Their best way of communicating is through hunks, head nods, and hand jesters.  These signals can be seen consistently through the day and heard all through the night.  The only way to actually cross the street is by J-walking.  For the most part this is an individual playing Frogger across the road.  If you happen to be in the middle of the road and a car comes up to you.  The car does not stop.  Instead it dodges you, without even some courtesy room.
  I've been here a couple days now and sometimes I think I hear what sounds like an ice cream truck.  It comes by frequently enough that it possibly could be.  After an out from the apartment, I discovered that it's actually a propane truck.  I still can't figure out why the propane truck plays a jingle.
  When walking down the side-walk, one must be careful of the rubble and un-even ground.  Trash is easily avoided and so is the shit that is found here and there.  The first time I saw shit on the side of the road I wondered where it came from.  The other night I was walking home, and parked in the middle of the sidewalk was a donkey.  I think its safe to say it was his fault.
  I have been seeing trash all over the place and sometimes right next to garbage cans that are actually everywhere along the street and next to buildings.  I thought people really just didn't care that much, but I have started to notice a high frequency of people scrounging through trash cans.  These people literally take out bags, rip them open, and leave unwanted trash wherever it falls.  I'm not really sure what brought these people to do it.  Although, I have a few ideas.
  On a higher note, the teas and coffees offered around the city are more than good.  Often stronger than American tea or coffee, with the right amount of sugar and milk they are delicious.  Sometimes black is even preferred.   Recently I've enjoy Karak Tea, which is prepared authentically here and very popular.  It's the equivalent of a Chia in the states.  For coffee, I enjoy Turkish Coffee.  It's strong and only a small cup can keep you up for hours.