Stunned...

While in Aqaba, Rachel and I stayed at the Kempinski, which had huge picture windows in the lobby. As we were sitting enjoying the wifi (only available in the lobby), a bird flew into the picture windows and then fell onto the sidewalk trying, but failing, to fly away (flopping around on the sidewalk, only one wing working). 

We went out to investigate, thinking maybe he had a broken wing. The hotel gardener came over and explained that he was only stunned and would recover in a few minutes. During that time, however, he was vulnerable to being eaten by the feral cats wandering the grounds. He put the bird in the bush for safe-keeping.

Back inside, as we finished our interneting, we both glanced up, in horror, as a crow swooped down and tried to grab the stunned bird out of the bush (I actually screamed). Luckily the crow only got a few tail feathers. But Rachel went back out with the hotel gardner and moved the bird deeper into the bush. And then I stood guard against the crow, who was definitely hanging around looking for another chance.

Incidentally, the bird came out of the bush after about 20 minutes, only to fly back into the windows and re-stun himself.  I put him back deep into the bush and we left shortly thereafter - hope he made it and didn't just fly right back into that window a third time.

The Dangers of Snorkeling in the Red Sea...

I had a very vivid and real-seeming dream last night, during which I knew that a large shark would come and bite Rachel on the leg during our planned snorkeling excursion. So, I was practicing moves to drive the shark away, including punching him in the gills, poking at his eyes, pulling on his nostrils, and throwing a large tourist at him, in hopes of convincing him to let go of Rachel.

When I woke up, I half-believed we might actually get attacked by a shark and so I spent the afternoon vigilantly scanning the water around Rachel, my anxiety gradually heightening as the day went on. Luckily, none of my practiced-in-my-dreams-shark-fighting skills were called into play, although I thought about using some of them on a very aggressive man in red board shorts who kept standing on and caressing the corals, in a vain attempt to get our attention. I settled for giving him several underwater rebukes, involving sharp, slow-motion shaking of my fingers and head. 

It was a relief to finally walk out of the water, onto the beach (although the dangers of land and ghost sharks have been well-documented here and here). We stopped to talk to a chatty older gentleman on holiday - just as we were about to walk away, he said "Oh - you should come back tomorrow morning, around 10 a.m. There is a small 3 foot sand shark who hangs out in the mornings, out around the reefs where you were just snorkeling."

I used to rule the world...

I had dinner with a few members of the branch and we played Scum.  In a few hours I went from a Bedouin Shaykh to Scum to an Aristocrat to a Foot Soldier (with the head gear to match).  Its amazing how much having the actual hats to go with the titles ratchets up the stakes...I wanted that Queen's Tiara so badly...

 Scum, Peasant, Foot Soldier, Farmer, Bedouin Shaykh

Wizard, Aristocrat, Princess, Queen and King 

The work is done...

We filmed this little number over Christmas break. However, when I returned to Jordan, I discovered I didn't own a copy of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and so couldn't start editing. Then I got lazy and then I forgot. But then one day in the not-so-distant past, I put in a CD my good friend KTay made me and, lo and behold! A copy of Cyndi Lauper's girl power anthem!!

It was a sign that the video needed to be finished. And so, here you are:

Preview...

Our little music video almost didn't get made - our director was a little temperamental:

A picture is worth a thousand words...

I got some wonderfully exciting news today and couldn't stop smiling.  Since I couldn't share that smile in person...this one's for you, Susan:

Just like old times...

Lying around, talking, laughing, shopping, visiting old haunts, and eating "best yet" concoctions (and Mövenpick ice cream really is the best yet).

It was a wonderful way to spend ten days. I hope we get to make it happen again soon. And next time, maybe we can convince a few other friends to join us...

The Birds...

"I have never known birds of different species to flock together. The very concept is unimaginable. Why, if that happened, we wouldn't stand a chance! How could we possibly hope to fight them?"

Luckily this was the Dead Sea, not Bodega Bay, and they never figured out how to coordinate their attacks, leaving our fries safe.

The leftovers were another matter altogether...

Who knew...

That crossing one's legs in church was such a sin? I was sternly reprimanded by an Armenian priest - a hiss and a sharp gesture was all it took to straighten me out. I didn't even dare take a photo of him, he scared me so badly.

I think he should be cloned and transported to Primary Sharing Times across the world. He was much more effective than that kid who had to stand up front with his/her arms folded...

Petra, the sixth time...

I think this might have been the best trip yet. I sat at the Crowne Plaza dining establishment inside Petra and took a long nap, while Bobby and Carolyn took donkeys to the top.

I didn't find much to take a picture of but I did snap a few of the rogue herds of donkeys wandering through the ruins (maybe an afternoon break from schlepping tourists up the mountain?). 

They did not appear to have a master and they were all kinds of adorable - a hoodlum herd, cruising the streets of Petra, looking for trouble...

He was looking out wistfully, dreaming of joining the roving bands of Donkey Youthththththssss...

Camel Crossing and Other Adventures...

We ran across a large and very adorable herd of camels on our way to Mt. Nebo. Naturally, we had to stop for some "Camel Crossing" photos. 

And the cutest one of all - a BABY!!

We finished the day off with an afternoon at the Dead Sea (this is Carolyn and I "oohing" and "aaaahhhing" over pictures of Robert Downey, Jr.):

I love this photo-bomb...and check out that wifebeater!

I'll host guests anytime...

If they bring me this kind-of spread as a hostess gift...

Irreverence...

I spent the weekend in Jerusalem.  I couldn't bring myself to take anything very seriously, despite visiting many Once Very Holy Places.  

Perhaps it is because the bangs-sunglasses combo made me look/feel a little like Velma from the Scooby Gang, leading to many giggles every time I passed a reflective surface?

Are these whiskers or fangs?  The answer to this question is very important to me...

A heavenly eye roll...

Emo King David - look at those tears...

A Chorus Line

Velma...

Movie night...

I hosted a movie night for the Young Women.  How did four teenaged girls make such a mess?

Victory...

I think I'm winning (although it does make walking into my bathroom an event fraught with danger):

The Storm...

Remember the strange sunless sky? And the swarming ants? Well, Garret, you were right. It was a sign of the impending apocalypse. Why else would it be raining mud??