I'M HERE! Please tell Roy that I am here working away (on a Friday afternoon, no less!) and have a couple thoughts to share:
1. GO CATS! Very impressed that you're bringing the Wildcat spirit into new places--there should be a special club for this kind of KSU dedication!
2. A thought on your previous post from Damascus: Did Roy bring a color swatch of the line on his desk so they made the coffee correctly for him there?? Were they late on a timesheet or something, or did he actually have to pay for coffee for the first time in months?
Looks like you guys are having a great time!! Thanks for keeping us updated! Be sure to tell Roy that everything is under control at the office and that he will need to keep this in mind whenever he gets around to doing my evaluation! :)
Smokes I enjoyed the blog entry. Roy, thank goodness you didn't buy a pack like Louise Ehmke did in China. She didn't smoke but thought it would be cool to buy some. Remember? I asked her, if she saw an Opium Pit would she go in? She said, Have you seen one? Anyway, glad you are having great adventures on your Middle East dream trip. I am envious!
It's not a vacation if something doesn't go wrong with the car. Were the middle easterners flirting with Kyle? It's a good thing you are traveling with two men because they would have kidnapped you a long time ago. I spoke with Hovannes and told him you were in Syria, I thought he was going to cry, "that is where my mom was born" were the only little words he could utter. Oh Hovig.
The pictures are awesome. I love this travel blog idea. Be safe can hardly wait until we can get together and discuss all the details.
Chimi
It sounds like you guys are having a wonderful time. It wouldn't be a Crenshaw vacation without a flat tire! I look forward to reading more of your blogs and viewing pictures. What an interesting area of the world. I can't wait to see you when you return.
Form vs Fashion I too am impressed and not surprised at the American savvy. However the footwear of the studly tire handler concerns OSHA. Their regional offices beyond the 50 states are presently not staffed, so I think you are safe from reprimand, or any penalties. If a more protective shoe is purchased it is recommended to match the style and colors of the gloves being worn...this will be a sign of good planning and management for which the USA is famous.
From Nancy's sister-in-law As you may know I was in Syria in March for a little over a week, when I took a bad fall and broke both my elbows at Damascus airport on my way to retrieve my luggage, which had been delayed a week. Anyway, I loved your story, having experienced the country. But I will say that the Syrian orthopedic surgeon and the Syran hospitial where I was treated were considerably more modern than your tire shop. My orthopedist here has showered them with compliments for a job well-done, and I am nearly fully recovered.
I heartily recommend the Dr. Shami Hospital in Damascus, should you need, heaven forbid! any medical care. Nancy was worried about the lack of e-mails from you but reassured when I explained that my experience with the internet in Syria was similar to yours. The photo of the Crac de Chevaliers brought back fond memories! Doris Birmingham
Beautiful castle! What an amazing castle! We here in America really don't have a concept of ancient until we leave our country!
I'm so glad you get to do things like hanging out with the regular people like in the tire shop, that for me always makes the trip!
Stay safe and love to you all!
Joan
hi Wow.....Roy i am impressed with your tire changing abilities! I had to giggle at your glove use though....that is sooooo city like :)
To help you feel connected to back home....it is 95 degrees today, quite humid and no rain predictions. SWEET!!!!
glad to hear from you I was a bit worried, so wrote Paul's sister and she reassured me that the ability to send emails in Syria was limited, plus your phones won't work there either. Looks like the truckers in Syria overload like truckers in India! I can't believe you haven't had a photo of a camel yet. Tell Roy we had an inch and a half of rain on Monday as did the folks. We also had 4 inches of rain at chalk that day where of course we had our last field of brome laying on the ground, Murphy's law I guess. Nancy
Jealous!! Hi Roy!!
You look like you're having sooooo much fun. Thank you for adding me to your blog mailing - I've enjoyed hearing about your wonderful adventures and the pictures are spectacular (I see green stuff!!). Be safe and I'll see you when you get back home.
Cleo
haven't fed the bulls for six days I am sure you won't mind that we just put the bulls out to pasture to save on chores and being a bit short of cash, I sold one section of hay from the hay barn. Oh, yes, and advertised on Craig's List that there would be a fishing contest at Shamrock Farms with a cookout to follow on Shamrock Hill. I will make sure we have two weeks worth of beef left in the freezer. See you in a couple of weeks.
Blogs from the ME Hi Valeri,
Nancy has forwarded your blogs from the Middle East for me to read. I am really enjoying reading about your journey, especially, since I had scheduled a trip to Jordan/Syria in Oct. Unfortunately, a foot injury has forced me to postpone this journey. Nevertheless, I have been immersing myself in ME literature. I find this area very fascinating. Trying to sort out the Israeli/Palestine issues is so complex.I got a little taste of this culture, while traveling in Morocco in May.
Happy travels,
JOY
My friend from the Jerusalem Cafe is from Damascus! Sorry if all of my comments are driving you crazy but i am just so excited for you and grateful you are sharing!
Love, Joan
I am so glad that you are sharing allof this. It is totally incredible! Also, very wonderful that you all are showing people their that not all Americans are idiots and some actually care about them and their amazing history. Thanks for representing us well. Love to all of you!
Joan
blogs Hi all,
I was curious to how easily you are finding an outlet to send your interesting blogs? Do your hotels have that service? Did you take a laptop with you? I never knew your dad had such dreams as a child, sure was a side of him I didn't know! He must have paid more attention in church than I did as I wouldn't have even known what Damascus was! Cute skirt Kyle:) Nancy
Thx for the Laugh The "Two losers in the Mosque" photo had me laughing out loud at work. Could you have a more "Mary and Joseph: The Other Years" moment? (Coming soon to a super-hip, offoffoff Broadway theater. )
I wonder if we told the Royals that if they lose more than 80 games next season, they'll be in the Coliseum League for Winter Sports. A much cosier 'stadium' with tigers and lions as opponents! Great photos and commentary! Courage.
husband? Hi Vals,
Is Kyle still on this trip or did you dump him for your own personnal chef:) We hit a record low this morning at 52 and had a gorgeous no humid 80's day. It isn't going to last unfortunately. Hard to believe you are closing in on being gone a week! Nancy
Jenny
non-member comment
I'M HERE!
Please tell Roy that I am here working away (on a Friday afternoon, no less!) and have a couple thoughts to share: 1. GO CATS! Very impressed that you're bringing the Wildcat spirit into new places--there should be a special club for this kind of KSU dedication! 2. A thought on your previous post from Damascus: Did Roy bring a color swatch of the line on his desk so they made the coffee correctly for him there?? Were they late on a timesheet or something, or did he actually have to pay for coffee for the first time in months? Looks like you guys are having a great time!! Thanks for keeping us updated! Be sure to tell Roy that everything is under control at the office and that he will need to keep this in mind whenever he gets around to doing my evaluation! :)