Most of the inhabitants live in mud-brick homes, their{{U}} (1) {{/U}} walls insulating against the afternoon heat. Flat roofs, exposed{{U}} (2) {{/U}} the northern evening breezes, serve as cool sleeping{{U}} (3) {{/U}} as well as storage areas. Villagers plaster the outer walls{{U}} (4) {{/U}} often trim them in blue, a color they believe{{U}} (5) {{/U}} off the evil eye. As a man becomes richer, {{U}}(6) {{/U}} can add a second story to his house perhaps{{U}} (7) {{/U}} his married son. Those villagers who have made the{{U}} (8) {{/U}} to Mecca paint the legend of their trip on{{U}} (9) {{/U}} outer walls of their homes. Such hajj houses, along{{U}} (10) {{/U}} the mosques, are the most distinguished buildings in a{{U}} (11) {{/U}}.
Some villagers build ornate pigeon coops close to their{{U}} (12) {{/U}}, using the birds as food and their droppings to{{U}} (13) {{/U}} crops. Many houses still have dirt floors and lack {{U}}(14) {{/U}} or running water; women with jars balanced on their{{U}} (15) {{/U}} make the trek to the community well, and children donkeys haul the{{U}} (16) {{/U}} liquid in jerry cans.
All{{U}} (17) {{/U}} said, government sponsored building programs have also brought newer {{U}}(18) {{/U}} residences and utilities to some villages, particularly those outside{{U}} (19) {{/U}} Nile Valley in the Oases and the Red Sea{{U}} (20) {{/U}} areas.