So, I sat down at the computer to enter this blog and my entire site was translated into Arabic. Hhmm...It took me a few tries to login but thanks go to Karim, my Egyptian friend, who helped me find the drop down bar to translate. Surely, had Kathy Doody been with me, she could have translated. The keyboard has arabic characters so I am relying on keyboard muscle memory (Goodness knows, I have had some practice!)

Well, USA suffered a tough 2-1 loss to Japan this afternoon. They were very sharp. I did my job well though - making noise! Who, but my friends, know I could make so much noise? This was new to my team. Thursday - and they are finally getting to know me! Seriously, they have been great and it's been tons of fun to experience this with them. Not sure yet what tomorrow holds but I will attempt to post later this evening with some pictures of today - much of it spent indoors at the squash stadium. While our team played at noon, I had the distinct priviledge of playing an 8:30 am showdown against the New Zealand coach, a 40 something, mother of 4 and 8 time British Open Champion, who was also world #1 for 10 freakin years! During the week, we have bonded over parenting, achy aging body parts and a shared passion for squash. She is a remarkable woman and an inspiring athlete. I don't think anyone else in the world had the encounter I had today. And, I am apt to see her later in the hotel bar, beer in her hand, karaoke mic in mine.

I am proud to say I have graduated from the minibus transportation of 1/2 mile to the stadium and I have begun walking it. I wear my sunglasses and NOT my USA sweat suit, keep a low profile and move briskly. Haven't heard guns so far. Salam!