The post office and other adventures

So I went to the post office in Karak this morning. Mom and dad sent me a package (YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME), consisting of various items, including some great magazines and tampons. I can't get tampons here. They are sold in Amman, but very expensive. So, I was sitting in the customs office watching a Chinese couple charged 20jd for their box of items from family in China, and got scared that I, too, might be charged that much for my box. The woman opens my box, and looks carefully at the box of tampons. "What's this?" She asked in Arabic. I giggled. I tried to explain in Arabic that I didn't know how to explain it in Arabic. So she calls three women from the next office over to look at the items. They all stare at the box, and open it, take one out, asking all sorts of questions. Finally, I take out the diagram in the instruction booklet and tell them it isn't candy, and it isn't medicine. They all blush---really blush. They all turned red and stared at me. I smile. Soon we're all giggling, and I'm not charged a dime for my box. As I was leaving they called my name and asked if they could have one...so I gave everyone a tampon or two and the diagram and said "good luck."
I'm probably going to get shot for doing that, but it was worth the amusement.
And the package.
Two Vanity Fairs, Vogue, Atlantic Monthly, Harpers...and more...I'm in heaven.
Ok...so life in Safi is still ok. Ramadan has slowed everything down to a near halt. Very few girls. All of my classes are on saturdays now, so the rest of the week is me playing Spider Solitare or reading my Newsweek over and over again, which is a month old.
My counterpart is buying my tv and satellite dish soon. And as much as I consider it anti-Peace Corps, I really really need it. I can't leave my house unless I have an invite to another house or I'm going to work or the market, so I'm stuck in my apartment for so so many hours everyday, playing civ3 or watching movies on my comp or reading. Oh by the way, I've started buying pirated DVDs here. And trust me, it's NOT by choice. They simply don't sell real DVDs anywhere. Maybe in Amman, but even there, pirated versions are everywhere. Only 1jd, decent quality, and new titles. The only down side is foreign movies. Like if I buy Spirited Away, it'll be in Japanese with Arabic subtitles. Of course, I've memorized Spirited Away, so it's no biggie.
Anyways...I should go. I might miss the last bus to Safi. I'm having Iftar dinner at my counterpart's house tonight, which should be good, since I haven't had much protein lately.
Happy Birthday to June, Jiyoung, Sue, Tracy, and Marina. Expect phone calls. But don't keep me on the phone for longer than 5 minutes. Thanks.
Peace in the middle east.