June 2005 was a very busy month for us. In some ways this was good, as it kept our minds off the gathering heat as the monsoon season began in earnest. For a while there we were hitting daily temperatures of over 100 degrees with very high humidity. However now the rains have begun in earnest, and we're back down to the more bearable 90 degree mark most days, with frequent rains cooling things done further.

Adham experienced a transition at his work when the Ambassador, Harry K. Thomas, announced that he would be leaving the country to take up a new job in Washington working directly with Secretary of State Rice. Amb. Thomas has been great for our mission and for Bangladesh-US relations, so we hope that whoever comes next is able to maintain the same high standard.

Crystal has kept busy being a mom to two very demanding but lovely little boys. Tasman finished his term at his preschool this month, and now has about six weeks of vacation before starting up again in mid-August. Atlas now has two tiny little teeth coming in on the bottom, and is eating like a champ - we are having to make regular orders over the internet or from the grandparents for baby food, since that is not something which is readily available in Bangladesh.

We took another trip this month, to Nepal. Adham had lived there previously for a couple years during his time directing College Semester Abroad programs, but it was the first time for everyone else in the family. You can see pictures of that trip here. We stayed at an absolutely wonderful hotel called Dwarika's, which we would recommend to anyone visiting Kathmandu. And if you ever choose to fly Cosmic Air into, out of, or around Nepal, you'll have the privelege of witnessing one of the world's truly great airsick bag designs.

While many other people in Bangladesh's international community choose to leave the country during the summer, we'll probably stay for the next few months. People say that you might do that the first summer you're here, but definitely won't the second time around!