Sri Lanka in the Spring

As sort of a mini spring break, Mike and I went to Sri Lanka with our friends Barry and Pattie last week.  It was a fantastic 4 days.  We stayed at a boutique hotel with only 7 rooms.  Decorated to the nth degree. Tranquil. Green. On the ocean. Coconut palms. Hammocks. Masseuse. Infinity pool. Mouthwatering meals. Yep. Four days of relaxation.  Oh, and elephant rides, too. We really wanted to relax, which is what we did, but we also toured a little bit. Not too much but a little bit. Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, until the early 70s, is a beautiful island. Full of tea plantations,  sunny beaches, and smiling faces, it was a fun, beautiful place to visit. We went to a turtle hatchery and to a castle/ plantation home built in 1903.  Time flew by and we are really thinking about a return trip, this time with Sallie and Robert(who are very upset that they were left out... :) oh, and Russell and Ryan were a bit jealous, too....)  Maybe we could go back someday with all the kids. Now that would be a great time. I miss being able to do things with all 6 of us.

If I ever questioned how fast things change, which I really haven't, but if I did..There's no question now.  I kind of wish I hadn't posted my Bahrain blog until the next week. I was shocked to see the Saudi tanks roll into Manama on the news, not even 3 days after we got back from there. Also, since we made so many friends there, many of whom are unhappy with the current government, I was worried for them.  We keep praying for them and for  the people of Libya, and Syria, and Jordan, and Yemen and Japan. It is hard even to turn on the news.

We are feeling the temperatures heating up this week. You can see the fear in people's eyes. Oh no. Here it comes. A couple of days we hit the 100s already.  We are planning to visit the US this summer. It has been two years so we are excited to see our family and friends..and get a break from the high summer temps. Always on the lookout for relief from the heat. :)

Bahrain

The Pearl roundabaout, Manama, Bahrain

On Tuesday, last week, my friend Nadia and I flew to Manama, Bahrain to visit her brother and his family. This was my first time in Bahrain but I hope it was not my last.  I loved meeting several Bahrainis and enjoyed Nadia's family. Great people who love the Lord and made me feel so welcome.  We also got to visit the Bahrain Evangelical Church,  the American Mission Hospital, and several times we drove around the Pearl roundabout where the protesters are camping out until changes are made in Bahrain.

I was surprised at how calm and quiet the city was. From the news it seems like everything is in turmoil there but the truth is..well, it's not.  The Bahraini people are serious about the need for government change but they are not being violent at all.  During the day the roundabout felt more like one unending picnic.  Hani(Nadia's brother) said at night it swells up to 10,000 people,  but during the day it was very quiet.  We also saw several   marches from day to day but again, it felt more like National Day in Abu Dhabi and not really negative at all. I had an opportunity to speak with a young man who goes to the roundabout every evening. I could hear the frustration in his voice as he explained how and why the government needs to do more and make changes. I don't know how things will change but I do know it is important to pray for Bahrain and for all the countries in the Middle East right now.

Nadia and I returned on Thursday night.   It was just in time to make sure Robert was all packed up for another Boy Scout campout early Friday morning.  He had a great time in the mountains on the border of Oman.  His last campout of the year. Apparently they made a Monkey Bridge... :)  

Wednesday, Mike and I are flying to Sri Lanka with Barry and Pattie for a 3 day RnR on the beach. Pictures will be coming soon.!

Educational Opportunities :)

Honestly, since Russell left, I don't know where the time has gone!  On the Friday after he left the youth group at church did the service.  Ushering, Music, Dance, and Sermon.  I knew Sallie was in it but she never really told me what her part was. Mike and I were both surprised when she and her two friends did an interpretive dance with music and sign language. They all looked graceful and it was very good. :)

Other than that, my friend Pattie's mom, Barbara, was here so we did several things with her.  One day we had lunch at the Sorbonne...Abu Dhabi.  'This is quite unique.  We had to have special permission to go on the campus.  Pattie's husband, who was project manager, got us the permission and we had  a nice time eating in France. :) 



We also squeezed in a trip to another educational location just before Barbara left. We went out to Masdar Institute.  A couple of years ago Abu Dhabi was in the news with this Green City, zero carbon footprint, and so on..that they were building.  The project is pretty much dead in the water, but they did finish the institute.  At one time the city would be totally connected by these magnetic cars.  A very futuristic concept. No cars at all in the whole city.  Ok, so they have one building. And the cool cars run you to a parking garage and back.   Not exactly the vision but fun for a morning outing.  We had dear friends who lived here before that worked on that project. It was fun to see it and retell his  "funny" stories about trying to get it built.  Our favorite was about the Mayor of the city, when he was looking at the plans..with no parking places for cars cuz there were no cars allowed in....Yes Yes , all very good. But where do I park my Hummer???  Well, sir, the PRT(magnetic cars) will take you from the garages outside the city to your home, office..whereever. Yes, I know this, but where do I park MY hummer?? I am the Mayor.    Just not getting it, I'm thinking.  But we did have an enjoyable morning.

Inside the PRT...magnetic car

At Masdar they have and Organic food store. 

the PRT

the road for the PRTon the way to and from the parking garage 

 yesterday... we took a trip to EMEG.  This place is fighting tooth and nail to save the oceans and water wildlife around the UAE.  And obviously, as you can see from the above statement,  it is one heck of a fight.  They are doing great things though.  They have fish hatcheries to breed Hammour(Grouper) which is an endangered fish from being a favorite fish dinner here.   They plant Mangrove trees..also in trouble from all the construction along the shoreline, and educate people on what we can do to help.  The kids love it every time we go. It is one of the prettiest places around here. (This trip made me homesick. Last time we went our family was here...made me think of  Don, Laurie, and Josh.)  

Yes, we've been busy. Trying to store up the wonderful cool weather before the heat hits.  Last week we had a few days in the 90s.  I almost hyperventilated thinking the cool weather was gone. Just couldn't catch my breath...:) but it cooled back down. So, I am good for a while longer.