first few days at the lodge

I was a little hungry having had small breakfast and no lunch. Dinner is a vegetarian buffet made with local vegetables, local bread, yogurt, pasta, etc. There are generally seven or eight dishes plus soup and desert. They also serve fresh juice. Waiter's recommendation, hibiscus. I found it to be quite tasty.
After dinner people gather in the sitting room. It's cold these days, so they build a fire in the fireplace and people gather around for tea and to plan the next day activities. One of the guides gives an overview of the area, helps plan activities and then folks just talk.
I was pretty tired so don't remember much. Also there is so much going on that if I don't write it down the less important stuff fades away quickly. I am quite behind right now. It's Monday and I am blogging last Thursday. I will try to catch up in the next couple of days Insha'Allah (God willing)
It's Friday. There is a lot on my mind. Breakfast is great. Arabic coffee with cardimen. I had three small glasses before feeling awake. Again a vegetarian buffet, mostly local and fresh.
Later went to the local mosque. About 15 minute walk from the lodge. A lively discussion about the khutba (sermon) after the prayer between the Imam and some folks.
Went to the sunset walk around four with a guide, two German ladies and a couple, the lady from Belgium and the guy from Palestine. The guide stayed at the sunset viewing area to build a fire and make tea while we climbed to the top of a mountain to see the other valley, I believe this is called Guir.
We had tea, but no sunset. A storm is moving in and it's getting cloudy. The wind has picked up and the temperature has dropped. People start leaving. The guide and I stop at the mosque for sunset prayers then head to the lodge.
After dinner we gather in the living room. There is a fire and tea. I sit next to a guy. He is with his grandparents who are visiting. He teaches history at a school in Amman. He has been in Amman for 5 months. He understands and speaks some Arabic.
The Belgium lady and the Palestinian both work for the Red Cross Humanitarian program. They are based in Lebanon. The lady is headed to Syria to report on the prison conditions if they can get access. The guy is doing the same in Iraq. We have a long discussion. These people are very committed and doing great things.
Next day I chat with the grandparents. They're activity has been to visit with the bedou. The grandfather is very happy. He is 80, and was the oldest in the gathering so got the most respect.