Wasting time in Delhi

Hanging out in a lovely airconditioned internet place in Paharganj...darn it's hot hot hot and humid here! I'm caked in a layer of grime that I haven't been able to shake yet...waiting for my train to Varanasi...
Sooooo here're some photos!

The Tibetan cook at Rizong gompa, he fed us tea and Tsampa...a thick, filling raw dough.

This little girl watched me get ready for the day...studied the teeth brushing...the packing up...the eating...she asked me for a pen, I didn't have an extra, so I gave her a sleeping mask from the plane. She seemed pleased. (this was a family house that I stayed in during the "baby trek")

To protect from the sun. And what a lovely way to do it!

Yep, still me. On a walk in Diskit...through lovely fields. Post Dalai Lama teachings face.

Can you spot the three foreigners?? This is in Diskit, on the way to the gompa, after the Dalai Lama's teachings. Damian (one half of the lovely french couple that I tripped around with) is wearing the guesthouse father's traditional outfit. This was a BIG hit with the locals!!

The top of Namgyal Tsemo Gompa in Leh.

The Road to Manali

I have a 'feeling picture' to share with you from my ride from Leh to Manali. (I wrote this in the jeep - very bumpy. Very illegible writing)

The mountains surrounding me on all sides are coated in short green grass, speckled with hardy wildflowers and slabs of rock. I imagine this is what Ireland looks like, less the jagged peaks and occasional distant glacier.
It's nearing sunset, the sky is a persistent blue, and white clouds play hide and seek around the mountain tops.
Looking up the side of the mountain I spot horses grazing. I look over the other shoulder and I'm confronted by an ever deepening valley.

A smile sits on my face, punctuated by wonder, gratitude and joy. I feel hopeful.

I'm in love with this planet. I'm in love with this life.

I wish I could bottle this up and send it to you!

Last days in Leh

"A man walks down the street
it's a street in a strange world.
Maybe it's the third world
maybe it's his first time around.
Doesn't speak the language, and he holds no currency.
He is a foreign man.
He is surrounded by sound
Sound.
Cattle in the marketplace, scatterings and orphanages.
He looks around
Around
He sees angels in the architecture - spinning in infinity.
He says 'hey! Hallelujah!'"

100 'awesome points' go to anyone who knows who sings this.
Answers must be submitted by August 30th, and you will be sent your complimentary 'awesome gift' within the following two weeks.

But really, actually - this song has left an imprint in my imagination for many years now. And I think I'm the closest I've ever been to finding this place. To being there.
Less the angels in the architecture. Unless Buddhas count.

I've just returned to Leh from walking. I started feeling concerned that I don't have much time left in India (I have...9 days - but travel between here and Varanasi will take me 2.5 days there...and one day back)...and wrapping things up here...Anyways, I was feeling like I have no time.
And then life just sort of goes - and I can worry all I like, but things work out perfectly. The way they should.

I caught the bus today from Rizong to Leh (I ended up walking with a Spanish man - 54 yrs old...full of energy. We walked from Likkir, but we started quite late, and so ended up staying in a family's home about an hour away from our destination - Yangthang. I shared a room with the aunt)...anyways, we made it the next morning, and then made the walk to Rizong monastery - BEAUTIFUL walk.
I caught the bus back and rode on the roof - this was so very local. I was joined shortly by the same family that I rode up to Likkir with! We shared apricots, peas, cookies...and we all had to squish back into the bus before we entered Leh proper...it was perfect.


Dad gets married today! (though I don't miss being home, I think about home quite a bit. What constitutes my ordinary life, I suppose. The foundation for this current fling!)

Anyways, I'm having a heck of a time trying to book this train ticket to Varanasi. Jeepers! Gotta go sort this out.

Best to you.

Enfin, des photos!

A man spinning the prayer wheels. You must do this in a clockwise direction. You also must walk around holy monuments in a clockwise direction - even if they're in the middle of the street. Akin to our aversion to walking under ladders.

View of the sunset from the roof of the guesthouse. Yes, I was the crazy woman on the roof.

Most of the guesthouse fam. Mother, Nilsa and I. Lovely!

(I've been speaking french lots these days. So now in my head is a meli-melo of language and expression)

This is purely for photo's sake.
To Nubra valley tomorrow morning at 5:30! Hurrah!

Mandala in Lamayuru

Oh hello dear folk.

I've just returned from a brief trip to Lamayuru where mostly I just hung out in the monastery.
I walked in after the very intense busride and saw a group of monks preparing a mandala. I've never seen this, though I've heard - it's an incredibly colourful and careful process.
I sat and watched them for nearly two hours, listening to the rattle and shake of the knives on the instrument that drops the pigment...and the hum and murmur from the monks in prayer at my back. It was a truly beautiful moment.
I was offered tea, and snacks, and friendship (it's true! one monk, Gyatso, asked me "will you be my friend?") Well OKAY!
So I was given a tour of the two other temples followed by milk tea and apricots.
I went back this morning for the 7am puja and had breakfast with them.

The busride back to Leh rattled my sense of calm...what with the NARROW escapes from CERTAIN DEATH on the mountainside by ONCOMING TRAFFIC. Jeepers. But it turns out that that's just the way it's done. So suck it up, Princess.

Anyways, I had a lot of time to think on that there bus, and realised something. I am, in fact, a walking contradiction. (isn't that a cheesy punk rock song?)

I love talking to people. Sharing stories. Smiling, and being a 'regular'.
I love being anonymous. Being quiet.

I love having a home-base. Somewhere to return to. A family to be accountable to.
I love arriving one day and leaving the next. No questions asked.

I love sharing an adventure. Making a shared story.
I love the solitude and autonomy of adventuring alone.

Now, I suppose that none of these things have to be exclusive of the other. They just highlight this need for an equilibrium. To know which route is appropriate for the moment. I am surprised, though, to feel anti-social at all. I know it will pass - probably has something to do with the smelly, shaky busride.
:)

(that being said - I love your emails, please to be keeping them coming!)

Willie Nelson and Momos

I was sitting in a Tibetan cafe yesterday for lunch, and I think that, in honor of my american-seeming presence, the waiter threw on some real homestyle music. Just a little Willie Nelson. Really, who can go wrong?

Let me tell you that it brought a smile to this face! REALLY incongruous...sitting down eating Momos (these potsticker kinda things) and watching Ladakhis and tourists walk by to the sweet strumming of old timer country. Love-ly.

I'm still in Leh - loving it. Actually being a total brat and holidaying it up! I walk a lot, and sit and watch a lot. I was going to be heading to the Nubra valley tomorrow, but instead have been offered a ride (free!) with the father of the guest house - cause he's going up as well (I think to see the Dalai Lama also?).
So I'll take the ride!

Shopping for gifts here is a total nightmare and the only kink in my otherwise peaceful time. I think I'm being consistently overcharged, even when I talk them down 2000 rupees! Exhausting. Oh well, c'est la vie!

I'm realising how busy my "regular" life is: and how nice it is to simply wander, and talk, and write aimlessly. Maybe I'll keep this calm. That would be nice!
(maybe someone can remind me of this in late September?)

Full moon and the Dalai Lama

Today is the full moon and tomorrow the Dalai Lama will come through town. The roads are buzzing with activity!
The family that runs the guesthouse has just repainted their outside wall, and the mother was out yesterday sweeping the streets with her neighbours. People have built offering stands at the side of the road: made from mud bricks with a hollow cone perched on top in order to house the incense and offerings.
The Dalai Lama will be teaching for two days in Diskit and Nubra, so I think I'll follow him there (the 7-8th)...which means that I'll be doing a small "two day trek through roadless villages" sooner...like...maybe tomorrow. Hah! I just drafted a rough sketch of a schedule and have realised (again) that time just won't stay put!

It's only been just over a week since I've been in India, and I feel like I've lived at least three. Leh has been wonderful, I've met some beautiful people (I'll post photos when I get back into a city) and I've seen so many beautiful places!

I was feeling conflicted the other day: do I see as much as I can? or do I take it easy and travel slower...missing out on variety, but increasing in quality (maybe?).
Nilsa, the daughter of the guesthouse family tells me I think too much.
It's true.

I've since decided that I'll just go where I want when it feels right - and make an agreement with myself not to feel regretful if I go home feeling like I haven't seen enough. Because the truth is I will never see everything. So - it's about quality. I'll just have to follow my gut.

SO the plan as it stands is to go do this walk from Likkir to Tsamisgang, then head to the Nubra Valley, then to the Dah Hanoo Valley...then back to Leh, and then to Varanasi.

So far, as of today, that's where it lays. But I'm not silly enough to think that this won't change! So voila.

And on to the next thing - the sankar gompa, and then a lecture at the ecological society. (very cool! ecological society, and Ladhaki women's alliance - free lectures! sweet!)

Ju-leh!

I'm in Leh, and I love love love it!
So much so, that when I arrived at my guesthouse yesterday morning at 7am, I nearly cried with joy.
The family that runs the guesthouse is so wonderful, and the other guests are quiet, but friendly.
The Leh people (hah! get it? laymen? hahaha...wow, we can blame this on altitude sickness) ...are very friendly. People smile in the streets, and say "ju-leh" to say hello, goodbye and thank you! How efficient!

I'm so so happy. I left this morning at 6 to see the monasteries in the region and sat in on a buddhist puja - this was beautiful. The young monks, old monks, all the monks were there. Very cool. But also kind of strange to sit in on something that I don't understand. Different than just going to Catholic mass and not being catholic. Though I've talked to some locals, and they think there's no problem with this.

Anyways, I'm going to be brief as the internet's expensive, and the streets are calling!

I love this life!

The Swing of things

Venita and I : we really WERE there!

Okay, so they caught me not-so-surreptitiously taking their picture...

The Taj Mahal herself

2nd day dinner - a rather nice restaurant, and a cocktail each...the lap of luxury.

Monsoon season, yes.

A tomb at Qutb Minar, a Moghul construction from the 10th century (I think!)

Lunch with Sanjay and Shekhar (?), friends through a friend in Vancouver - LUCKY!

The view from the hotel on my first morning.

ALLISON! C'EST MA COPINE A MOI!

London is ridiculously expensive. But oh so so cool to lunch it with the Al girl.

4th day in Delhi and I think we're starting to manage our sanity...the first couple of days were rife with highs and lows! The constant honking of the cars now makes some sense (after driving for 6 hours to and from Agra, I've realised that there IS a significant use for the horn...believe it or not, it's all about safety!)
Delhi is also full of smell - not lovely foody smell, but rank, damp, pollution-y smells. And the bitch face that I have to wear in the streets to avoid the constant offers of rickshaw drivers, tourist information people, acrobatic children...well, it can get a gal down!

But we've found the metro, which is such a wonderful thing. No haggling, no worries about being taken to some shop instead of to your destination - aaaah independance. It's helped a lot.

So we saw the Taj Mahal yesterday - it is a beautiful thing. It's very busy with other tourists (mostly other Indian tourists) but it's got a kind of quiet in it. Probably because everyone needs to pay entrance, and so there are no beggars, or hawkers. Elitist, I know.
But we were asked often if we'd pose in pictures with people - and mostly Venita. We found out that it's because she's Chinese looking! This is a funny thing, we're like a freakshow! Good thing Venita's got the whole "don't bother me" thing going on - I'm learning a lot from this girl!

So in two days I'm going to be in Leh, where the air will be drier, and cooler, I think. I'm very looking forward to this! It turns out also that the Dalai Lama will be there on the 31st as well, which is just so perfect.

I realise here (and often) that I'm such a blessed, blessed person. That I'm here, that I'm well, that I can move around...

I was reading the Hindustani Times this morning and read an article about a 4 year old boy who uses a catheter from his bladder while he's waiting for an operation. He's just been kicked out of his school by the administration because he scares the other children.

This has me reeling. And this is why I'm here. Because these things DO happen. And I know I can't just come in here with my sheltered, Canadian privileged-girl culture and expect to come up with a solution. But at least I can think about these things, and question these things...

Woh. It's going to be a lot of processing over the next weeks.

At any rate, it's been amazing. And I've laughed and high-fived and sung in the streets. La vie est belle!

Until next time!

Kites over Delhi

Sunset on our hotel's patio, and all you see are these wildly fluttering kites swooping over the city's rooftops.

It's hot, and muggy, but I don't feel bothered by it surprisingly. Maybe it's because I'm still living in the travelling half-world - mildly stunned by planes, trains and automobiles.

I spent lunch with Allison in London yesterday, it was a beautiful thing! (and WAY too expensive!)
I'm still reeling over the fact that it's possible to hop across the globe incrementally, though quickly!
A totally uneventful flight to Delhi was welcome, and meeting Venita at the airport definitely ranks as one of today's top threes!

Delhi's not overwhelming like I had imagined it would - I mean, don't get me wrong, it's chaotic, bustling, smelly and people-full...but it reminds me so much of the Bourj in Beirut that it's almost comforting. This is not to say, however, that I'm not looking forward to moving it up north.

Okay, to dinner.

HURRAY for this life!!

The countdown's ON!

Two sleeps!
And I haven't got NEARLY enough done!
I just wanted to lay down the first few words before I head out...I'm feeling...nervous, and excited, and overwhelmed.
I realised just two nights ago that I AM in fact going - I did it! ME! And that this experience will become part of my story. MINE!

It's also ridiculously good timing, since the community centre will, in all likelihood, be going on strike.

So here's to the next two sleeps, the marathon of preparation ahead, and the beautiful faces that I'll see before I leave.

Cheers!

ps. Below this posting are entries from previous adventures: Down the coast in winter 06, and Lebanon in winter 05. Just to avoid confusion!

Unintentionalized in Seattle

That's right. I made that word into a verb. We were unintentionally lost in Everett, and unintentionally ended up where we had initially intended to have dinner (in Seattle)! We unintentionally decided to come back home after Angie (my friend whose house we were intending to crash at) had JUST arrived in Seattle to live - she was in the process of settling into her new home, and so we thought that the extra 2.5 hour drive might just be worth the trouble!

So without trouble, we've arrived safely, and soundly (less Andrew's cold...it was a strange one, it started with a day of Hiccoughing...every time we drove into a city, the hiccoughs would start up again...the next day it was the sneezes.) I, so far, am still well!

Our last day in San Francisco was a delight! We rode bikes across the bridge, ended up in Sausolito, walked into an old english style pub, and got to talking to a woman - an ex cop...and well, we didn't so much talk as listen, but it was a riot in any case! We missed the ferry to take us back to the rental shop in time, and so kept the bikes over night - THIS meant that I had to finally get over my fear of biking in the city at night! I DID IT! Thanks to Andrew, our intrepid leader, who led the way, we made it back to the hostel!

We met up with Patricia and René, a lovely couple that we had met in Yosemite, to go to Amnesia, a bar in the Mission district. It was pretty cool to meet up with them and find a place that we probably wouldn't have found on our own. Following that, we had the hugest burritos of our lives. (see above photo - that's me with my little buddy, Burri)

OH AND I had the best coffee of my whole trip at Caffé Greco in North Beach. It was OH so good. We went back there the next day too.

San Francisco was amazing, and I will surely be going back.

Overall, this was a really smooth trip - finding a person that you can roadtrip with, without wanting to casually push them out the door of the moving vehicle is a difficult thing, I think. I didn't even ONCE get that urge with Andrew! (lucky guy!)

I feel mostly ready to tackle this final semester at school. I know it's going to be a busy busy one - have been offered more work with Leadership - but just not sure if I can take anything else on! I'll be returning to the Community Centre on Sunday, and back to the highschool on Monday...not to mention school!

Until the next adventure dear folk! (let's hope it's sooner than later!)

Leanna

HAPPY NEW YEAR from ol' San Francisco!

Well guys, 2007. How's it feel so far? Pretty good over here on this end - a little warmer than we're used to...and there's that big thing in the sky, really bright...gives off heat...sometimes we see it in the summer? It's pretty great.
Andrew and I got in to San Francisco last night and spent about an hour finding parking - can you believe that we have to pay $23 a DAY for parking????? This is crazy business. But better to have it tucked away than have to worry about driving it around all over this land of no-left-turns-and-one-way-streets.
But eventually we did make it out to ring in the new year - down at the waterfront (the embarcadero) with about a hundred gazillion other people, which made for some really excellent people watching. Nothing like smushing a whole variety of locals and other folk together to get a picture of what this place is made of!
So far I think Vancouver shares many qualities with San Fran, a real diversity of people and neighbourhoods, though it seems much more dense here. (probably because it is). But I do get the sense that the people here are a little...disenchanted by tourists. So it's harder to really tap into real conversation with the locals. I guess this is normal - and probably we're the same way in Vancouver, or in any major city for that matter. It's likely because I've juxtaposed my experiences in smaller towns where people are curious, with these first days here. Not fair really - apples and oranges.

In any case, we're still having a ball - AND I can safely say that Andrew and I are getting along swimmingly! (I just confirmed this with him - though he just admitted to trying to poison me in my sleep.) meh.

Happy New Year dear friends and family!
See you soon (or not)
Tomorrow is biking around town and over the golden gate. Hurrah!

I heart Yosemite

This place is stunning. I mean, I know we have mountains back home, but these are...different. The vistas are spectacular...and the colours are hypnotising. AND there's sun.
We hiked to the top of Yosemite Falls yesterday (a solid day hike) and the water freezes before it hits the ground - just makes a giant pile of snow! Amazing! But the minute the sun hits you, it's warm! Weird!

We've met a bunch of wonderful people here at our hostel (the Yosemite Bug) and on the trails. A new friend from Belgium (living in LA) joined us today for our cross-country ski trip. We probably covered 23kms today!
And...another couple - living in San Francisco...we'll be meeting up with them when we head out that way (tomorrow!)
This has definitely been the highlight of my trip so far (not sure about Andrew's - he's reserving judgement). I love this lifestyle, people are laid back, food is good here, people are...so kind.

I feel so blessed to wrap up this year in such a way. And so excited to start it off in San Francisco! I'm such a lucky gal!

I wish you all the best New Year celebrations, please be safe, and tell me all about it! (woh, you know, all this hiking just brings out the youth leader in me - I've been vigilant about making sure everyone's got enough water, food, clothes...Captain Safety's back! NoooOOOooooOO!)

Be well!

A post from a few days ago...like time travel!

We're in Reno. That's right. The "biggest little city in the world". Unfortunately, their big flashy Reno sign, complete with tag-line, is out.

I think that sums this town up.

We arrived last night at 10:30, and entered our first casino at 11:30. Dumped some money into the slots (seriously, I just can't get it.) (and really, what IS there to get? Don't know, but I don't) So we switched to blackjack. We made friends with the dealers, they taught us what was what. It was actually really fun. We left at 3am. It's true, time flies. I pretty much ended up even in Blackjack, but it lasted a long time! Fun!

Anyways, this morning we're going to drive to Yosemite - hoping for x-country skiing tomorrow. And I have to jump in the shower, so Andrew's gonna fill you in on the fabulous last night in Fort Bragg. I'll call this : Cantina

After our days events we headed back to Debbie's place, chilled out, waited for Debbie to wake up and got on our way to the Mexican Cantina. The building is divided into two halves: The bright restaurant half and the dark watering hole. Of course we started with the light side. As is seemingly the standard down here, our meals were HUGE and not all that expensive. So we couldn't get a small amount of drink to go with this large amount of food, so we got a carafe of sangria. I thought a carafe was maybe a half litre, but it's quite a lot more than that. Debbie had to run off to the hospital for her shift, so Leanna and I were left behind to conquer the Sangria, which of course we did! Then we tackled the dark watering hole next door!

In the Cantina we met with Ron and O.E. A couple of local bartenders drinking at some other bar that wasn't theirs.
We four were the only people there.
It was pretty much as local as it gets.

Fort Bragg is just a Beaut.

In case you don't have the interest to read this whole thingy - we've made a few more top threes. You know, to sum up.
(frankly, I don't even know if anyone is reading this...but glad to have something for posterity!)

Top 3 new(ish) nicknames for Andrew:
Android
Anders
Andrewski

Any of the three can be interchanged with "buddy"

Top 3 roadtrip songs to take you from Portland to Fort Bragg on a windy, twisty, squirrely road 10 hours into the drive:
Lovers in a dangerous time - Barenaked Ladies or Bruce Cockburn (I think it's him at any rate)
Break the Chain - Fleetwood Mac
Dream Machine - Mark Farina
OR (this one's up for debate) A long december - Counting Crows

Top 3 things I've learned about the States so far:
They have trees. Many more than I ever imagined. IN California.
People here are actually very friendly.
This place is pretty freaking beautiful. Really. Small west coast kinda beautiful. I had no idea.


SO, another Christmas unlike any other.
Andrew and I went a-walkin' today. We saw the Cabrillo lighthouse and then took a walk along the MacKrecherecherinicherinerin (I really can't rememeber what that's called) State Park. Which is a breathtaking bit of oceanside. It's been SO nice to go out and walk after two days in a car. The waves are stunning, and move with such force! Which got us to talking (in fact, just kept us talking - we spend about half our time talking about overconsumption, energy conservation and social support programs). Now, I've heard about tidal energy - but am a little shifty-two-fifty on my facts. I've heard that this form of energy production can have a ruinous effect on the ocean's ecosystem, making tidal energy harvesting an environmental hazard as well. Does anyone know anything about this? Sounds like something we oughtta look up.

At least we're thinking.

Our second night in Fort Bragg, staying at Debbie's place. Which is so great - it's really nice to be with family for the holiday, and though she's working nights right now, we're getting a chance to hang out when she gets home, and before she leaves for work again. (she's a nurse in the ICU at the nearby hospital) (another reason why we're talking so much about social support).

Annnnd well, so goes the wandering. We found out that the hostel we booked in San Francisco is actually in the scuzzy prostitute, drug and gang district. Kinda like staying at the Patricia hotel on East Hastings. Hmmm I think we're gonna be switching that one around.

Well, on to the rest of the James Bond movie...Roger Moore...definitely no Sean Connery, I can tell you that much. Tomorrow is Mendocino and wine country!

Top Three Awesome Things about Portland in under 24 hours

1. We got here.
2. Walking down that street over there.
3. The stairs and entrance ways in Portland.
(I love them...they just BEG to be climbed...or entered. But we think that maybe this would be a little forward of us here, on our first day. It's true, we're just a couple of Canadian Hussies)

We're leaving today for Fort Bragg, CA..hip hip hurray! (you know what makes a roadtrip bettah? CBS mystery theatre on the CD player...also the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy...also MUSIC!)

Stayed at the Portland International Guesthouse - in the alphabet district - really! that's what it's called! And had some super mussels and crab cakes at this small funky kinda restaurant. It's so much more special when you fall into a neighbourhood that feels organic. (and I don't mean healthy food, I mean...natural)

We've also decided what our superpowers would be, if we were to have them.
(Mark&Michelle have already declared mine to be beer-o...now, I think this is no doubt useful, but not quite spectacular enough if you ask me!)
SO Andrew's the PLANTINATOR (he can make things grow. whatever you need, he can grow it)

OR he can fly, but is also impervious to temperature (see, that's a logical, realistic response. smartie pants)

And I've decided that I'd be the GIFTINATOR - I'd always have the perfect gift at the perfect time (so, person on the street, needs new shoes? just so happen to have an extra pair with me! Someone's really struggling to crack open a crab leg...need a crab cracker? Oh look what I have in my purse!)
PERFECT!

Well, merry christmas eve. Here's to a 12 hour drive to Californi-ornia

One more sleep

So me and uncle Andrew are off tomorrow. I get a kick outta saying that: me and uncle Andrew; I think it paints a funny picture. (that's him and I in the photo...I think we kinda look alike - I can really see the resemblance between he and Husayn in any case)

Today mom's friend asked what kind of car we're taking down the coast...and all I could think of was..."well, Andrew's car? it's...blue. And a...Toyota?". No matter, it'll get us there. I hope.

So the plan? (oh this could be fun, cause who knows if we'll stick to it at all) We're going through Portland, Fort Bragg (California for Christmas - stepmom Debbie lives there), we might spend a night in Sacramento, a few in Yosemite - hoping for cross country skiing and some fabulous EARTH - and then to San Francisco for ze new year!

So...I've decided to keep track of this adventure here for yous, so that I don't just come back and say "oh, it was great! we did...lots!".

I'm also currently phenomenally tired out. Tired out from two weeks of not-stopping. Tired out from work work work - though it's amazing, I haven't quite mastered the art of letting it stay at work. I think it's hard when my job is based on relationships...and timelines.

SO here's to a beautiful two weeks of adventuring, driving, seeing and doing. I'll add photos as I go along too (the best part, if you ask me!)

Cheers!

Lebanon 2005-6: Happy New Year!

You know, this whole "time zone" thing is pretty cool...I feel like I'm in the future...and I get to experience things before anyone back home does. So I can tell you that your tomorrow will be just fine! (good...way to start off the new year, Leanna...random)

Anyways, last night, our new year's eve was nice and mellow, I spent it with the family. But outside was practically a war zone...see, leading up to midnight, people light off firecrackers that are less like firecrackers, and more like bombs. And machine gun fire. Every time one of these lit off near the house, I jumped. (that made last night kind of like a work out). The kids went out on the balcony to see, and actually felt the blast.
Holy Moly!

I have one last week here...Husayn and the kids go back to school tomorrow, so I'll be on my own again. We had a great time this past week travelling around. We saw Baalbeck, where the largest roman temple lies, and is also the best preserved.
I actually didn't expect to be awed by any of the ruins...I've seen a bazillion postcards, and really - ruins seem like they'll be really touristy.
However, I was proven wrong. The sheer history of it all was remarkable. And the ruins were HUGE. You feel dwarfed. Not only by the structures, but also by the past. Underneath these roman ruins are pheonicien ruins (dating back to 2000 bc)...and under those ???? This country is DENSE with history, culture, religion...language...legends. Apparently the Beka'a valley (where Baalbeck stands) is where Noah set up shop after the great flood. How's that for history?

Okay, well, I hope everyone has passed a wonderful New Year's Eve. I miss home...but am still enjoying these last days!

Love!