Blogs from Middle East - page 908

I havent been having much luck with the computers as the last two long entries have been lost so here is to this one saving! Anyhow after the beehive villages we returned to the hotel where I met my new roommate who was from Canada. We agreed to go out later that afternoon as it was a Friday a lot of Hama was closed. We went back to the Orient House as the food there was yum and it was a very different quiter walk to during the week. Woke up around 8 ish to go to Krak Des Chevaliers which is a crusader castle and is in the mountains mid way between Hama and the coast. As Erin needed to change money that was the first stop of the day and it proved to be ... read more

We went postal today. I bought some trinkets for the girls and mailed them today. We have a little post office here on the FOB (Forward Operating Base). It seems that no matter where you go - postal employees are still turse and unhelpful. You would think that for 100,000 dollars a year they could muster a smile. I worked out until late with Mark. We have been working out to pass the time as there is little else to do. I find that it gets me worn out enought to sleep. After working out we went to the Green Bean - a little coffee shop by the PX. They have fruit smoothies with protein powder to help build muscles. Doubt it will make me look like Arnold, but it tastes good when it is hot ... read more

Das Königreich Jordanien ist ein Land das vielseitiger kaum sein kann: Mit seinen Burgen und Schlössern, mit Jerrash, den besterhaltensten Rückständen einer Stadt aus der goldenen römischen Zeit, dem toten Meer in dem man nicht untergeht, dem roten Meer mit unberührten Tauchplätzen und 365 Tagen Sonne pur, seiner einzigartigen Wüste Wadi Rum, in der unter anderem der Film Laurence von Arabien gedreht wurde und mit Petra, der roten Stadt in den Felsen, die erst kürzlich zu einem der New Seven Wonders of the World gewählt wurde. Jordanien schafft den Spagat zwischen Tradition und Moderne und ist durch seine diplomatischen Beziehungen, trotz seiner geographischen Lage, gleichzeitig ein sicheres Reiseland. Das klingt fast wie Werbung. Soll es nicht sein. Es ist einfach so, das mich dieses mit Geschichte vollgepackte Land einfach überzeugt hat :) Mein Besuch war, nach ... read more

Today we woke up early and drove to Ramallah, one of the largest Palestinian cities. Our breakfast was amazing. The pictures do not do it justice. You can not get this food anywhere. Later we met with Amber and went over all of the applicants and mapped out our interview strategy at her home. Adri intentionally did not bring his razor so that he could get his special shave with a straight knife. Later we met with Jawad, a French Palestinian who lives in Paris, who is a filmmaker. Where do you meet when you come to Ramallah? Stars and Bucks of course! After, Jawad invited us to his sister's home in Ramallah for dinner. Her husband is the president of the Palestinian Journalist Association. Later, back to the village to sleep! That stupid donkey woke ... read more

so got back from 27 days at sea for 2 days in Muskat, was able to catchup on a few things, spent yesterday checking out Nizwa , the fort and the souk , then headed into the mountains to visit a small village, live is very different in Oman and the history of this place is facinating, to many photo's to upload for now, but will update the blog again when I return from sea (mid june). The Taxi's just arrived to take us to the wharf, so best be off to do some more fishing!!!! ... read more