Today is Arafat in the Muslim world where thousands, or maybe millions, of people all climb Mount Arafat in KSA to emulate Abraham's journey. It also means it's a day off here in Libya, and gently leads into 3 days of Eid, which also means time off. This holiday then segues (word of the year which people in the media use at every opportunity - a bit like cusp was last year) into Christmas almost seamlessly.

I gather that there is a Muslim cleric in the UK telling people that to be wished Merry Christmas as a Muslim is a fate worse than death, and should be dealt with most strongly. He ought to spend a few days here to chill out - the locals in Libya are sufficiently comfortable with their own beliefs to not feel threatened by others. There was even a Christmas tree in my new flat when I arrived yesterday to welcome me.

On every street corner today there is a man with a knife grinder working his fingers to the bone getting the best knives of the neighbourhood sharpened in readiness for the mass annihilation of thousands of hapless sheep this evening. One of my fellow teachers has been invited to have a go at throat-cutting, but I shall stay away this time. Maybe just watch edited highlights on TV. Next year - who knows.

The move into the new flat went smoothly, and I had my first night a un since arriving. There are one or two things to sort out, such as cleaning, and gluing broken things, but nothing major. It'll be bliss in the summer 'cos the rooms are massive, but it's a bit chilly at the moment. I'll put some pics in the next blog once my camera's returned from a loan to an exiting teacher - she's done six months, and had enough.

I've been tramping around Ben Ashur today, trying to find my bearings, and have so far managed to not get lost. It won't last - at least I hope it won't. There are too many hidden treasures waiting to be discovered for me to stay organised in my perambualtions. This area is known as the Notting Hill of Libya, so I'll be looking for Julia Roberts to share some Shepherd's Pie at some point.

Happy Eid to everyone out there.