Richard's Report

We are back in the US for Thanksgiving with Heidi and family in Moorpark, CA. Our trip was an experience in Middle East history and present day life. My favorite place was Wadi Rum where Laurence fought for the Arab cause against the Ottomans in 1917-18. The desert is hot and cold, beautiful and dangerous with images that are now a part of my mind. I want to paint what I saw. We saw pre-history settlments and Greek, Roman and Byzantine cities. Columms that required years of work still stood against the sand background surrounded by carved rubble. We saw where we were told Jesus was baptized and it was probably accurate. Across the muddy, narrow Jordan River was the Israeli counterpart with flags flying. The people, whether Jordanians or Syrians, were friendly and happy to see us. We had no fear. The trip was intense in that there was much to see and miles to walk. Petra is huge and we walked about 5 miles--downhill and uphill! It was an adventure. On the last day of travel we saw mosaics made in 250 AD that are as beautiful as when created being diplayed where they were installed in a private home and protected over the years by layers of sand.

Victoria and Emily had a wonderful time. They laughed throughout the trip. Each was proposed to often and camels were offered. I sugested oil wells. Lynn and I loved the experience although we are really tired. The trip was exhausting but the 28 hour trip from Damacus to LA was not a part of the fun-is-getting-there exerience. Lynn and I took photos with which we will bore you later once we return to Hawaii. The images are worth seeing.

I don't know if we will try another adventure the likes of this. I prefer high class hotels and a pace that is more relaxing. Our trip to India was ideal but it also was private in that there were only three of us in the tour plus a guide and a driver. In the Wilderness tour there were 15 of us. All were adventerous people of age and experience.

Taking the girls with us is one of the great pleaures of my life. We had fun together and experiences to share forever. No problems between us and only good humor and caring. They both have an understanding of a part of the world litle understood in this country. Jordan and Syria are in the process of building homes and buildings and roads and factories and yet some parts of the countryside look the same as it did 1000 years ago.

Living in Hawaii gives me something to look farward to after the adventure.

Morning, or whatever time it is...

My internal clock is way off, I think it is about noon Damascus time. Emily and I were up for about 33 hours straight on the way back. Even tho we did stop in Vienna for a few hours sleep it was not enough.

The tour was about 3 days too long and we had an extra day in Damascus. Fortunately we didn't get sick until the last half day and that was awful! But we survived. The youngest person on this trip (other than Emily and I) was was in their late 60's. And none of them seemed to have read the itinerary and were not prepared for all the walking and scrambling. You would think the title of the tour company, Wilderness Tours, would have tipped them off.

It was a great mix of people. A retired school teacher from Spokane of all places, a retired newspaper editor, the former head of Abbott Laboratories and his wife (in their 80's and they walked 3 miles (5 kilometers) through Wadi Rum!), a couple from Texas, a retired chemistry professor and concentration camp survivor, my moms friend from Honolulu (a psychologist), her friend (a doctor), and an arrogant, belligerent doctor and his serene Hawaiian girlfriend, our parents, and us. Is that 15? Hope I didn't forget anyone...

I was soooo good! I almost whacked the arrogant doctor on the for forehead just to see if his hearing aids would pop out. Not like they were doing him any good as he didn't seem to listen to anyone. I was only reminded about having a filter once. OK maybe more than once but I was on my best behaviour...

Emily and I sort of developed our own secret language for when we wanted out of a situation, like dinner with the group. And we had many special jokes only between ourselves. What do you call a man in the Dead Sea? Bob. Hehehe! I know it is bad but it is still funny.

We saw so many things. The ruins of the Roman and Ottoman cities are amazing. We had a view out of our blue, oh so very blue, hotel room of the ruins of Palmyra lit up at night. Fantastic!

I love to see how people live in other countries and it reminds one of how very good and easy we have it here. But also of how so complicated and overblown so much of what we have is. Is it really better to go to Costco and buy in bulk or to go to a little stand on the street to buy really organic vegetables and fruit from someone who is your neighbor and whom you see everyday?

They have a system that has been in place from 1,000s of years. The farmers plant and when they have harvested the Bedouins camp there and their sheep and goats eat the leftovers and naturally fertilize for the next year. Very easy and organic.

We felt very welcomed and never unsafe. I kept getting the news from Syrian people who would come up to me and tell me about what Barack Obama was doing. They seem to be really looking forward to an easing in communications with the US and an increase in tourism. I truly hope it will be better in the future. Really friendly people with a great sense of humor. They seemed to love it that Emily and I laughed a lot.

The whole camels for your daughter thing I think is a big joke on the tourists but our father really got into the negotiations and they were quite animated and funny. The first question was usually "How old are you?" and the next was "Are you married? " Emily and I changed our names to Visa for a while. Don't blame them. There are pockets of real wealth right next to someone selling lighters and batteries on the a rug outside their door.

Emily could sort of pass for being native with her hennaed hair and darker skin, if she wore sunglasses to cover her bue eyes. Not so much for me. An almost six foot blond walking through the souk (shopping market) attracts a lot of attention. More soon when six foot blond wears her sunglasses to keep from making eye contact and then trips all the way through the souk. Even so, I am happy to be home where the only eyes on me are beady little bunny eyes...

I am in the best shape I have been in forever! Emily and I saw every stair case as a challenge and when you are in ancient castles you never know where you will end up! Also, we sort of self appointed ourselves as sweepers and would go back through the sites to gather up whomever of our group got lost. So by my calculations we walked twice as far as anyone else. The first guide was really good and took care of the people but the second was a little lax.

My camera got sand in it so you will have to wait until everyone else posts their pictures. There were so many things to see and we will try and narrate, Hope you don't get bored.

Alkalaa Restaurant

Okay, we can post but can't view the blog or comments from here. We are currently in Aleppo. Very cool city with a ton of shopping. Haven't really found anything too amaaing yet. V got some beautiful jewelry though.

Yesterday we went to The Crac de Chevalier. REALLY cool castle! Our tour mates were annoyed with V and I as we crawled everywhere and they had to wait on the bus for us. Oh well!!!

After the tour of the castle we went to lunch at Alkalaa Restaurant. V got some very special attention from the restaurant owner. He invited her upstairs to his house to see the view of the castle. She declined, but did exchange emails and she got a bookmark and postcards. (side update - he emailed her within the hour to tell her how nice it was to meet her!!!)

While V was flirting, the Father was inside getting patted on his butt by our very flamboyant waiter. We think this is good to keep it all in the family. The Mother was not thrilled that her husband of now 45 years is attracting male attention; however, the Father did have spring in his step the rest of the day! :)

I wish I had the eloquence of Jeanie to describe the wonderful places we have been. The pictures are just going to have to suffice when we get back.

V and I are getting homesick and a little tired of this geratric pace. We are getting plenty of excercise though. We keep having to go back to get the stragglers of the group to ensure they don't get lost.

That's it for now! You can email us if we are missing any of your comments. In Syria the blog is blocked.

Love to All!!!

It appears that their current location blocks the website for blogspot so Lynn asked me to write for the family. Feel free to add comments. They will read your comments when they are able to log in again. I will post info as they send to me. Pocahontas.

Here is the last post from Lynn: In the last five days we have been rushed from place to place and it is all becoming a blur. today we saw the ruins from a city, Ebla, that was ruined 2500 b.c. we have also seen the beautiful ruins of two roman cities one of which, Jerash, is so much more beautiful than Ephesus. Lynn

Off to Syria!!!

And I am so excited! Not really. Don't really know what to expect, but the shopping is supposed to be great and cheap!

I am getting a little tired of traveling; however, the sights are magnificent. We have all taken a hundred million pictures.

Thank goodness V and I came on this trip together! We are having fun and laughing a lot.

More later....I am tired and have to go get on a BUS!

Emily

Cathy - V got up to watch the sunrise in the desert! Most of it was to get out of the cold tent and away from the group! I am wearing flats all the time. Amazing things are happening on this trip! :)

Ibrahim's report

How many steps? Which color? What's that? This is the first time I have been asked in thirteen years in my work in three days and that is just the begining. And I still have another three days. This is my first big American group for a long time. I am enjoying the time with most of the group. They are good fun. Except three persons. Who always ask me the same three questions. I can't remember how many times they asked me these questions! I can talk forever but won't now.
But some people the words are not enough to talk about. Last I met some nice people on this tour and I learned a lot on this tour from them. As my grandfather used to say you meet more people you know more about life. And I hope I can be in touch with them.

victoria's report

wadi rum was so much better than I expected but camping was as bad as I remembered. I watched the sunrise and yes I can get up that early if I am sleeping on pad in a tent. The colors were fantastic and it was so quiet. Men keep offering camels but I don't get to keep them. One offered me a horse today but I would have to check him on the plane. We took a nice walk today through a gorge. I think our guide doesn't like us. I love the bubbly bubbly and the Turkish baths!

emily report

so the camping in the desert came a day early. Better to surprise me I guess. We stayed in tents boy scouts wouldn't even stay in. It really was a glorious experience but I will be very happy never to to do it again! I was so dirty!

My second proposal was from a gorgeous Egyptian. Can't wait to show pictures and we have a few. He was not camera shy. V and I think we should just change our names to visa. Our father is still haggeling for a good price.

Amy - no hamsters yet but we have looked. We have seen goats, camels, and donkeys though.

Today we went to Petra. Our guide asked if we were good walkers. Sure we can walk but this was hiking uphill both ways scaling walls. I am. Very happy to be in the bar with my friend mohammud drinking wine.

There's so much more to this trip! I am a little apprehensive for what is to come.

richards report

Wadi rum was the most beautiful land I have ever seen. The rocks are really mountains that rise up over 3 thousand feet. Sleeping in tents was not fun and the bathrooms were little smelly cabinet some distance from the tents. The food was good to include the bbq'd goat. After two days and nights without bathing arriving at a hotel near Petra was a cleansing experience.

Today we visited Petra and walked the city. The sculpture of buildings was magnificent. These ancient people seemed more concerned about burial sites then where they lived . I have been offered two hundred camels for v which I turned down. Always a negotiator. Emily has attracted A number of admirers and the bartender calls her by her first name.

The mother has us all under control and we are grateful that she is so organized. Everyday. Brings new adventures and thrilling sites!

In wadi rum all four of us rode camels for over three hours and loved it. Richard

Tour Group

Met the rest of our group last night at a meet and greet dinner. All are very nice. Should be a fun and lively group!

Our tour leader was in a league with Rick. Jeanie and the rest of you know what I mean. Some doubted his ability to be a tour leader as his English was not that great. V and I said it didn't matter cuz he was pretty! :)

Dinner was great with the huge exception of the lamb tartar.

Today we are off to Mt Nebo. Maybe we will be able to see Jerusalem. Then the next day off to Petra and horsie riding!

To everyone's surprise I am wearing tennis shoes and loving it! V and I climbed all over ruins yesterday and had a great time.

Love to all! Miss you! E

First Evening, First Proposal

Okay, just went to the bar for a cigarette and a drink. Met two Jordanians. One gave Emily a dollar and V a quarter for souvenirs.

Must be a record, a marriage proposal less than 24 hours of landing. but Emily's luck was holding, he was already married. he did demonstrate how the ring does come off very easily. We told him that he needed to ask our father and we told him we would give him his room number when he pulled out his cell phone. Now if it had been the doctor who he was with Flora and Fauna would be packing the feather boas...

Now we are off to tour the city and if Emily keeps this up and turns them around a little faster we won't need to go the ATM.

Traveling

We are finally here! It took us thirty hours to get here. I am very tired still. Victoria says that it really wasn't that long because we lost time as flew. Whatever!

Monica -The Mother says that she will check for beetles. I on the other hand am not not thrilled of the proscpective of finding any bugs! --E

Emily and I have already had a hookah and will probably have it again. Richard and Emily could drive just fine here. The lines are only suggestions or a way to center your car. Also, there seems to be no speed limit. --V

Note from Lynn:

We celebrated the election last night and hope that the election of Barack Obama will make it easier for us in Syria where there have been some concerns lately about U.S. military actions.

We are all packed and ready to depart from Seattle tomorrow. Each of us has our anxieties and I'm certain that all of those will fade away while we sit on the long flights from here to Amman. The biggest problem we've had so far is cramming everything we think we need into the "one soft-sided bag, no exceptions" that Wilderness Travel is allowing us. Why then did they send two luggage tags each? More later......