Our gift this month has been soft, sunshiny days and warm nights. Autumn is my favorite time of year, the time when I feel nature take a deep breath before plunging into winter's profound sleep, after the explosive growth of spring and summer. The trees still have their leaves, although you can feel the trees… Continue reading September
Month: September 2009
Syria and Jordan Part One
Syria and Jordan We’ve been back from Syria and Jordan for nearly two weeks and already it seems like a dream. In fact, it seemed like a dream the day after we returned, but I know it wasn’t. I have Jordanian sand in my sandals to prove it. I haven’t cleaned them yet, not having… Continue reading Syria and Jordan Part One
Syria and Jordan, Part 2
Syria and Jordan, part 2 At last, the promised continuation of our Syria/Jordan trip. This will only be highlights; my highlights, not those of an anthropologist, geologist, ancient historian, student of Biblical history, or anything academic in the slightest. Our guides were a bit of all these, especially the tour organizer, David Price-Williams,… Continue reading Syria and Jordan, Part 2
Syria and Jordan, Part 3
Haitham, our Syrian guide, led us up to a small chapel capping the castle. Rather, it used to be a chapel and became a small mosque or prayer room after the crusaders were thrown out. Stairs led up to a platform where the Imam would have spoken, and a niche in one of the walls… Continue reading Syria and Jordan, Part 3