Portugal

On our way back to the USA we took a bit of a detour to Portugal on the way from Egypt. We spent just over a week exploring Lisbon and the middle of the country by road from the coast to the Spanish border in our little rental car. Our focus was definately historical and we enjoyed the charms of the many hilltop, walled villages that have been re-inventing themselves only slightly since before Roman times. I think some photos will describe out trip better than too many words. The Western-most point of continental Europe (Cabo da Roco)......and its lighthouse:

Moorish Castle at Sintra:

The pretty walled village of Obidos:

The Village of Tomar with water wheel...
...and the Monestary of the Knights Templar:

The Border Fortress town of Marvao......with its walls and castle...and cistern beneath the castle: The rural hotel converted from an old pilgrim's inn at Our Lady of Camo Church...with a swimming hole they called a "bio pool"......lots of biological swimming friends: The town of Evora, packed with ancient sites...aquaduct...Roman ruins...standing stones... cathederal...and chapel of bones (all the better to contemplate the shortness of life on this earth): And finally Lisbon......the Se cathederal:Altogether a very relaxing time...

Closing School Year 2008-2009

We just wanted to post a few photos of important moments in the final weeks of school year 2008-2009. As I write write this school is finished, graduation is over, goodbyes are said, and all the parties are done, and I have started packing for the summer. Marc has three more days of work, getting things ready for the start of next year, but they are more laid back than the sprint to the end of the year.

Us at CAC graduation

Marc played his annual golf game recently with friends.

From left: Theresa and Seamus Marriott, Ben and Larry Kraut and Marc.

We finished the second session of Elementary Horseriding Afterschool Activity with eight students.

Horseriding students holding their certificates, Carrine (instructor) on far left.

May 31st was my friend Pricsilla's birthday and we organized a suprise party to celebrate the brightness she brings to our lives. Priscilla (with her husband Laryy in the background) sporting a gift - sunglasses with rhinestones.

Enjoying the fantastically presented Thai food at The Birdcage

I completed a 16 week peer couseling course put on by our church. It was a semester of self-discovery, in part related to the content of this course. This was a bit painful and suprising at times, but like most difficult expereinces helps one to grow. I hope that the skills I learnt in this course will help me professionaly as well in personal relationships - actually they have already.

Marty, our teacher (far right) and the other students (6 nationalities represented)

It was quite an unsettling end of the year at CAC (school) with four staff not having their work visa's renewed by the governement for unknown reasons (school was told last week of May)! In addition my supervisor, Mary, the head nurse, had issues with her husband's resident visa and had to resign and move back to the states after about 20 years in Egypt. So we had some unexpected goodbyes to say and some very unsettling thoughts about what this means for the shcool and my job situation next year. I decided not to apply for the Head Nurses position but to support the new Head Nurse as best I can.Mary (center) and Nagla (our highly valued receptionist) on Mary's final day.

CAC's graduation is at the pyramids! It starts at 8am due to the heat. Despite the burning sun it is a spectaular expereince for all.

On Wednesday we are heading out for the summer. We will spend most of the summer in Indiana, staying with Marc's parents and spending time with friends. On the way home we will spend 10 days in Portugal to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We look foward to seeing those of you in Indiana soon!