Orient Bay got a big write-up in the Mexico News Daily

Many thanks for the recommendations. We love Middle Eastern food! The east San Diego County town of El Cajon is home to a very large community of immigrants from the Afghani and Iraqi wars. There is now a huge selection of Middle Eastern markets and restaurants. Some are to die for! My wife and I tried our hands (tongues?) at learning a bit of Arabic. Although we did learn a few phrases, I think I will stick to polishing my Spanish.

Can't wait until the next adventure in Zihua!

Speaking of learning new languages, I had a few opportunities to be a guest speaker for a social service agency charged with helping the immigrants acclimate and assimilate into our culture. During the presentations -- given through two interpreters, Arabic and Afghani! -- I asked them if they were having a tough time learning English. They all nodded their heads enthusiastically and said in no uncertain terms that English was incredibly difficult for them. (I have no doubt of this given our feeble attempts at learning Arabic.) I then told them not to bother learning English. Their mouths dropped open and their collective looks of astonishment were disarmingly delightful! I told them that within a few short years, everyone will have a universal translator that will immediately discern the language that is being spoken and automatically translate it into your language. They broke out into cheers!