Camel

Camels are almost a daily occurrence living here in the Middle East. This camel I found quite funny, however. It was laying on its side with its head twisted around to lay flat on the sand.

Desert Trekking in Wadi Rum

After leaving Petra, we headed for Aqaba which is at the mouth of the Red Sea. On the way, we did a little desert trekking. A so-called "Jeep" ride was really a ride in the back of a small white pickup truck.


We started this trekking from a Bedouin camp that is set up like a desert hotel.

Marie and our trekking driver.

We stopped at another Bedouin camp. Here they had a picture of Lawrence of Arabia carved into the large stone at the front of their came.

Mick and our taxi driver - Maher.

Petra

For a long time, we have wanted to visit Petra in Jordan. We have been able to visit another Nabetean site in Saudi Arabia and it was interesting to see this site.

A picture of the hotel we stayed at. It overlooked the wadi where Petra is located. As you can see, it is on multiple levels and all rooms had a view.

We were not the only ones at Petra this day. The president of Turkey was also there. He, however, had 14 black cars in his entourage. We got to walk - other than a horse ride down part way into the first canyon.

Some of the homes and tombs found in the village of Petra. Remind you of Mesa Verde?

This is the canyon you come through to get to Petra - looking back at it from the Treasury.

The Treasury. No, Indiana Jones was not found here nor the goblet.

Another Day in Jerusalem

Some scenes around Jerusalem.

Several Bar Mitzahs were taking place at the Western Wall. This look like a grandfather, older son helping the younger son. The father (not in this picture) also looked like he was having his Bar Mitzah.

From the old . . .

To the new.

Yes - Mick got me into another tunnel.
This is the Canaanite Tunnel - by Hezekiel's tunnel, but without the water.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Mick - also in the Canaanite Tunnel.

Jerusalem - November 2009

On the road again - We had to take a short bus ride across the Allenby Bridge to cross from Jordan into Israel. Mick with our traveling companions, Richard & Wendy A.

Mick and Marie at the "Mormon University" in Jerusalem.

Pomegranates are in season. They will juice them on the spot for you. This vendor is just outside of Lazarus' Tomb in Bethany. It was delicious, but expensive - $3.00 per glass! (Do you think he saw "Tourist = $"???

Mick and Marie at the entrance to the Garden Tomb. This is one of our most favorite spots in this land.


The biggest change in this country since we were here in 2000 is the wall that has been built between the Israelis and the Palestinians. It is very reminiscent of the Berlin Wall. This wall is cement and in most places is 8 meters tall. Places that we could have walked to before, now require a 30 minute + ride around it. It has severely impacted the economy of the Palestinian side, i.e., in Bethlehem they used to have over 5,000 visitors a day at the Church of the Nativity. Today they are lucky to have 200 visitors a day.



Signs are posted where the Israelis are not allowed into Palestinian territory.

View through the windshield of our taxi taking us to Bethlehem. Here the wall is not only 8 meters tall, but notice the top is another 8 meters overhanging the wall.

Packing Out

Weds morning the packers came to pack what we are shipping home to the States.

We had to separate what we are taking with us from what we are shipping and leaving behind.

Our shipment consisted of 4 large boxes.

Yes, it takes 3 guys to tape 1 box.

As they would bring the boxes out, they would weigh them. Mick and I had a wager on how much total weight there would be. Mick: 250 kg; Marie: 300 kg.
We split as the total weight came to 277 kg!

I also figure that 2/3's to 3/4's of what we are shipping home is my sewing.
Oh, well, it kept me happy.

It's Official

It's now official. Mick will not be renewing his contract here and we will be returning to the States. I have trouble saying we are returning home as this has been our home for the past 10 years.

The good news is: We have done this before.
The bad new is: We have done this before.

We will be leaving the Magic Kingdom somewhere between 15 - 20 Nov and proceed to take our time. We plan on spending time here in the Middle East - a couple of weeks in Israel, then Jordan, then Egypt. From there we will fly into Kentucky to visit with David & Tami. We will then drive from Kentucky to the west coast with no pre-planned itinerary.

A Night at the Museum

Thursday evening (virtual Saturday) we met with a group of friends at one of our favorite restaurants - the Turkish Resaurant - for dinner. The food is fantastic, but the eating room is all tile so the sound just bounces all around. We are not the quietest group when together - we have too much fun.


Then we were off the National Museum which is a world-class museum. It is full of religious, natural and political history. Worth going to several times. (I'm the one in black!)

Portable Shopping

Last weekend we were down in the old sooqs when this street vendor came by. I asked his permission to take this picture. Our son-in-law G would have loved to have bought from this guy.



I noticed later that the front wheel of his cart was almost flat. It was a wonder that he was able to even push his cart.

Singing Stars

I have spent this summer making a new quilt for our oldest granddaughter's choir. Their ladies' choir has been invited to an international competition in China and they are on a major fund raising campaign. They did well with last year's quilt so . . .



I used some of our frequent flyer miles to fly to California to see the kids and grandkids and to present this quilt to A's choir. Here A and I are starting the unveiling in front of her choir.

A close-up of "Singing Stars"

I wish A's choir the best and hope they can make the best of this gift to them.

Family Picture

Family Picture taken June 2009

Day at Grandma's

A, C, S and MK came to spend the afternoon with Grandma. MK has on the Sweetpea bonnet Grandma had made for her.

MK helping herself to Grandma's cupboards.

MK is just learning to walk. She often looks like a drunken sailor as she tries to keep her balance.

MK has mastered going up and down the stairs.

C's karate kick - check out the toes!

S loves playing with the Toy Town that I made for my kids when they were little. We have 10 cars and 2 trains that live at Grandma's house for them to use with this.

What would a trip to Grandma's house be without some kind of treat. Here S is eating his raspberry sherbet which he chose over cookies 'n cream ice cream.

All done!

Sailing Above the Earth

When I took the Gionz Boyz to see my brother Ronald and his planes, I saw that at this small airport they had a glilder plane. I have always wanted to do this.

Long story made short: My brother arranged from me to make this dream come true.

Ronald and the glider pilot Stan are starting to set up the glider.

The pilots: Mike in the dark blue shirt flew the plane that took us up, Stan, with the light blue shirt, the pilot of the glider.

Attaching the rope leading from one plane to the other.

Stan getting the glider ready.

Ronald inspecting the glider. I sat in the front seat, Stan in the back seat.

The yellow plane, named "Ugly" is the one who took us up in the air.

Take Off!
Notice the yellow rope attaching the glider to the plane in front.
Also, notice the piece of yarn taped to the outside of the glider.
The pilot uses this to tell if he is flying straight.

Lining up with the runway.

Coming in for landing after 51 minutes sailing through the air.

I can't wait for Mick to be able to experience this.