Eid in Jordan

Jordan, Sept 2009

Note: Click on the photo above to see the album highlighting our trip to Jordan.

Eid Mubarak! We have returned from our Eid trip to Jordan.
It was a good week-long holiday. We landed in Amman and spent the night in western Amman before heading to Mount Nebo, where Moses is supposedly buried. From the top of Mount Nebo, we saw the Jordan Valley, Jericho, and Bethany, where John the Baptist baptized Christ. We also saw St. Elijah's Hill, where Elijah ascended into heaven in a chariot of fire.

From Mount Nebo, we headed south, stopping at a deep canyon at Wadi Al Majib and at the hilltop Shawbak Castle (from the time of the Crusaders).

The next day, we visited Petra, immortalized in INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE. Pictures make it seem so remote, but our downtown hotel was within walking distance. However, once you pass through the siq (a deep, narrow, 1.2 km long gorge), you ARE isolated from everything. We rode horses at Petra (Anastasia rode with Christine in the Baby Bjorn, A's first horse ride!).

The following day, we were exploring Wadi Rum, immortalized (I promise not to use that word again in this space) by Lawrence of Arabia--both the real guy AND in the movie. It was cool; it was like walking onto the movie set. A Bedouin in a rusty old 4x4 took us on a bumpy, dusty tour...oh, and Anastasia sat on a camel while we were out in the desert.

We then headed north again for the Dead Sea. We saw the lights of Jerusalem at night, but of course, as UAE residents, we can't cross the border into Israel--sigh. At over 1300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is 20*F warmer than in Amman. It's the lowest place on earth, and yes, you float in it. We stayed at the Dead Sea Spa, a big resort on the Jordan side. Anastasia had her first experience in a pool here (yes, one day it was her first horse ride, then first camel ride, then first pool, all on consecutive days!).

Our holiday concluded with two days in downtown Amman, where we walked around the old downtown with its shops and Roman ruins, including an old Roman theater.

It was a good trip...

Ramadan 2009

Anastasia telling cousin Reed a thing or two


Christine and Anastasia meeting a horse in Indiana


Anastasia at Hunting Island, SC


Anastasia growling at Old Sheldon Church, SC


Anastasia getting back to her roots, SC, on our anniversary

School is back in session, but it's Ramadan, meaning that our school day is shortened. There is still no word on the car, which, evidence suggests, has been towed by the police and then lost. It's an unusual situation....My toe (this is Randy) is still messed up, and I had to get new glasses thanks to Anastasia...We are gearing up for our Eid trip to Jordan...

We are missing the trips to the coffee shop (it's Ramadan, so during the day restaurants are closed) and any ventures to restaurants...

Can't wait for Eid!

The last bit of summer

Jeff and Lyndsie's wedding.


Holiday World.


Anastasia and her twin cousin Reed.

In Scotland on the way home.

BACK IN ABU DHABI. Some interesting events...Upon our return, we made a few startling discoveries. First, our car was missing. Three days later, we still can't find it. The police appear to have towed it, but they've lost it and have no record of ever towing it. A neighbor says he saw a yellow piece of official-looking paper (in Arabic) on the car this summer, and the next day the car was gone. He had assumed that we had moved it. Thus, it would seem that the car was towed, not stolen; the police have just misplaced the car. We're opening a case, meaning in a few days or weeks, the car might show up. Or not.

The second discovery occurred when we walked into our living room. The school had, without our knowledge, replaced our curtains, our sofa, and our chairs. The sofa and chairs are now a chocolate brown (clashing terribly with our dark red carpet), and the curtains are a yellowish beige, like butter. It's just not a good look. We're thankful for the new stuff, of course. It's just not something expected.

Happily, the house was neat and clean, thanks to Misrak, who was very happy to see her baby after two long months. They have been playing well together.

School starts soon for us: Teachers return this Sunday, and students return the following Sunday. We'll be on a shortened schedule for Ramadan, though, so it's a slow start. We'll be eased into teaching. Then we'll have a week off for Eid in mid-September (we're planning on going to Jordan to see Petra and the Dead Sea).

USA lately

SC: Randy giving the alligator a bite

Anastasia wrote her name on the beach


Squinting into a lowcountry sunset


IN: adding a bit of flair


Numerous face smashes (recent updates not available!)


She got under the stool and then started pushing it around. We're considering this method to prevent any more injuries :)

ONE already...

Click on the picture below to connect to an album of adorable photos taken on Anastasia's birthday. Since we were in Beaufort for the occasion, we took her to Old Sheldon Church, where we were married, for some commemorating photos.

One Year Photos at Old Sheldon Church

Some other activities from the day:

A new favorite: brushing her teeth


Mowing grandpa's driveway


Eating her third first birthday cake


Enhaling boiled peanuts to the great pleasure of her southern daddy


Playing in the sprinkler


(PS: Month 11 collage has been added. Click on the Month by Month collage area to the right.)