Arrested!

It finally happened...I've been caught!  Monday...I was arrested!  Fifi gave me his truck to drive the other two volunteers I'm working with around to the locations we are working with to do some work.  We had been driving since 11am visiting the locations and we're headed to the last location, Madina.  It's a long drive and we were within eyeshot of the location when we had to go through a police checkpoint.  I thought they were waving us through when a police officer stopped us to point out that our vehicle registration (called the road worthiness license) had expired on Sunday.  She jumped in the back seat and directed me to drive to the police station.  There she said she was arresting me for driving with an expired road worthiness license.  We pleaded with her that it had expired just the day before and since it was a Sunday we couldn't get it renewed.  She said that since it was 2:20pm we had had plenty of time to get it done in the morning.  She gave me a court date of Wednesday at 9am and bail of $1000 but released me on my own recognicence (spelling??).  I had to give over my drivers license and the keys to the vehicle.  We waited for Fifi to come.  When Fifi got there he pleaded with the police officer.  Then I and the other person left the office.  Five minutes later Fifi came out to ask me for $20.  I gave it to him and he came back out with my drivers license and the truck keys and said "lets go!"  For $30 it all disappeared!  Phew!

Yesterday, July 1, was a holiday - Republic Day.  Its a day that everyone goes to the beach or pool.  The guys and I went to the pool at Shangri La Hotel.  For $7 we swam all day.  Today we are back to work.  Tomorrow we are holding peer educator workshop for youth in a couple communities.  4 new volunteers just arrived from the US.  Now there are 9 Americans here! 1 of the group of 4 from NYU has already returned to the US.  

Well, I'll be back in less than 3 weeks.  Any gift requests??  See you soon!