Journeys by Marc & Mel

2011-09-11T20:25:00.004+02:00

Holy Cow - it's sad to look at this thing and realize how much time has passed... again.... So we had a good summer, but were apart for much of the time, as Mel only had 2 weeks off.... Marc arrived back in Cairo in late July and we were both in a full-out sprint (those of you who have seen us run know this is figurative) for since then. There was one exception - we had a 5-day Eid break in Bugaria, and tried something new - to stay in one place. We explored and enjoyed the town of Veliko Tarnovo, and here are some pictures from there....

a decent view of the town

(reflection)

we got lost soon after this....

old Ottoman houses
an alley in the town

from the wall of the fortress

(icons in Sophia)

(the changing of the guards at the Presidential Palace in Sophia)
the end!

2011-05-03T20:20:00.012+02:00

Well... mom and dad are growing impatient to see some pictures of our trip, so here goes (close to reverse chronological order):

Our old Ramallah home in the background is now a kindergarten!!!

(we had a great lunch with Donn in Ramallah)

in Jerusalem....

outside Jerusalem University College - where I spent a great semester in college

the last night of Passover at the Western Wall

graffiti in Bethlehem

at the Dead Sea - we had to do it!

the path up to the top of Massada

after climbing up... and down

at the Arbel Cliffs near the Sea of Galilee

very close to where we stayed along the north coast of the Sea of Galilee

in a market in Nazareth

We really did have a great trip! In a way it's hard to believe there are only 5 weeks remaining this semester, but in another way, it's been an incredibly long stretch since January....

2011-02-15T13:01:00.008+02:00

The next morning, four of us went down to Tahrir Square to experience the celebrations first-hand....

2011-02-12T07:41:00.007+02:00

So after nearly three weeks, it actually happened! This post is strictly devoted to last night's celebrations which took place less than a kilometer from our place! We're not close to being out of the woods yet, but last night it didn't matter - hope was back!!!!! Enjoy!!!!

two of our students!

just to prove that I was actually there....

2011-02-05T16:12:00.035+02:00

Marc's Recollection of the Last Days

So it’s been one week since the total craziness began, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all. Bear with me as I summarize and re-process the events of our last few days.

Friday, January 28, 2011 (no internet; no cell phones)

Was meant to be a guys’ poker night and girl’s who knows… maybe nail painting night. The initial protests had taken place on Tuesday, on Police Day here in Cairo, and Friday's larger demonstration resulted in a curfew, so a group of us living nearby assembled at Guy’s place for a guy & girl combo night, watching the protests and socializing. In the early evening, Bill (another neighbor) came over to let us know that looters & rioters were entering Maadi. Guy lives on ground level, so we quickly decided to come up to our apartment on the 4th floor. The 8 of us (Guy & Katherine, Ben & Emily, and Conner & Kate + us) came over, and were then joined by Bill and his family, as they also live on ground level. Things calmed late, but six stayed over that night. There was quite a bit of shooting in the distance, fight in the areas around the police station and prison.

(just before bed)

Saturday, Jan 29th – the night of intensity (no internet, no cell phones)

Right after curfew, our pastor and his family drove Ben, Guy and me around to see and take pictures of the tanks and area where the previous night’s fight(s) took place.

Kate and Conner began their company’s evacuation from Egypt. We received an additional guest, Anne-Marie, who lives downtown and was organizing her evacuation for the following day.

That afternoon, all police were told to abandon their posts, and the rumors of looting flew around. The Thomas family joined us for the night, so we were blessed with nine guests that night. At one point, we received a call that looters with guns were headed our way. We barricaded the door (see picture), and even had a knife on the counter top with a discussion of how far we fight if they get in. The neighborhood groups formed after dark, setting up barricades and carrying pipes, knives, guns, etc., but that night, we didn’t know for sure if the those walking below were the good guys or bad guys. Shooting was within a couple blocks of our apartment that night. Needless to say, nerves were on edge and sleep restless.

(smoke from explosion -view from our window)

(product of our panic)

(our living room that night)

Sunday, Jan 30th (no internet)

As we had the opportunity to walk around Maadi (our suburb) this morning, we were able to see all the looting that we though was transpiring all around us was nowhere as bad as what we had thought. The shooting and gunmen that ran down our road were actually fleeing after trying to attack the apartment of the chief of police, a block away. There was looting that took place throughout Cairo that night, and speculation is that it was organized by those in charge.

Katheryn and Anne-Marie left this day. Bill asked his gardener to come and arrange extra security outside his house, for the next few nights, so their family could stay at home, and it actually helped us all feel safer at night. The military came to Maadi in greater force this day. There was still some shooting, but the night was much quieter. Ben and Emily moved over to the Chandlers’ apartment so Guy was our sole other family member that night.

Monday, Jan 31st (no internet)

An even quieter day and night, but a number of embassy dependents from next door get picked up that morning. The protest is continuing to be peaceful and even celebratory, and I go down for a couple hours to walk around and take pictures. There are families around, and although there is some chanting taking place, it is peaceful.

(first 5 = on the way to Tahrir Square)

(the next few are within the square)

(the next few are along the edges)

(revolutionary trash can!!!)

(museum on right; government bldg which was attacked Friday night on left)

(last = on the way home)

(one perspective... )

(those on the opposite platform are heading downtown)

I got in touch with my teacher (grad course), and heard myself say something like, “so I’m trying to read a section on attention-deficit disorder and then hear gun fire in the background, and I can pay attention!!!” Needless to say, I’ve been granted some grace during this time. We had a great dinner at the Chandlers apartment that night.

Tuesday, Feb 1^st

Our Counseling department starts processing paperwork that we need to get to colleges asap. This is the day of the million man march, which keeps us glued to the TV… again….. Again – a quieter night than before. Still no official security, but the neighborhood watch program is in full effect. US embassy evacs all non-essential staff, and two of Mel’s supervisors leave. The Australian Government is offering free evacuation flights to Europe and even back to Oz, and Mel registers for a Thursday flight. Without internet and with NAMRU shut for the time being, not to mention the Mel is unable to get any work done here, and so we plan for her to go to visit our friends in Poland for a few days.

Wednesday, Feb 2^nd

Processing more papers at the school. Internet returns in the late morning, and all the sudden things just look brighter! Then the violence begins downtown and we can’t believe what we’re seeing. This is not Egypt. There is no way that this violence, like the looting of a few days before, takes place without the urging of powerful people.

Thursday, Feb 3^rd

Melanie leaves first thing in the morning and Guy leaves at around noon. We finish all of our documents for colleges and at this morning’s staff meeting staff are given the opportunity to evacuate Friday. Steve Hoffman – a friend from church who works at another school in town, and whose wife and kids left a few days before, comes over for the night. We have a great conversation and dinner… and cigar on the balcony! Big plans are made around Cairo for the “Day of Departure” protests after Friday prayers, and we are all on edge. Steve decides to leave Friday morning and I have to admit that I was did have some doubts about my decision to stay….

Friday, Feb 4th

A few teachers and families return to the US, hopefully to return when things here are closer to "normal." Church is canceled today, as there are no police to protect the church. In addition, Ben & Emily, and the Chandlers leave for Europe and the US respectively. Some friends invite a group of over for morning coffee before Friday prayers, and another friend invites a group to play poker at his place for his birthday. Then home for the rest of the day. Peaceful for the most part, and I am able to turn off the news and even watch a movie!

Saturday, Feb 5^th

Still incredibly quiet. I go to Lucille’s for breakfast and learn that they are now open 24/7 (despite the “curfew). Then to hang out with Conner and Kate’s cat for a while and to the school for a swim. We receive word that students are invited to come and meet with teachers tomorrow and Monday from 9-1, and hopefully we will be up and running after that! This brings us to the present… the protests are still taking place and the situation is far from settled. We are guessing that about half of our 1500 students are out of the country, so a lot of uncertainty remains about the coming weeks and beyond in Egypt and at the school.

Thanks for joining me on this cathartic trip through the last 9 days… I don’t have the memory or energy to include all that has taken place in Tahrir Square, and I’m sure that I’ve missed and confused some details, but I can pass that off on genetics! We have been blessed by new and improved friendships permanently fixed by the shared experiences of the past days, and we'll look forward to future, hopefully less intense times together. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers, as well as your perseverance in walking through this with me.... Please do keep ALL Egyptians in your thoughts and prayers, as this is not over.... Also, pray for our staff and students, as we all have a challenging road ahead.

2010-12-03T17:55:00.004+02:00

Mel at Work!!With Infection Control Team and Ward Nurses doing checklists.
In the Infection Control Office gathering data.

2010-11-27T19:00:00.017+02:00

Poland Town square Warsaw

Suitcases found at Auschwitz belonging to Jewish Prisoners

Remains of one of the many gas chambers
Looking out the front gate of Birkinau Concentration Camp - prisoners arrived by train Inside of living quarters at Birkinau Camp. Three tiered beds, about 8 people to a tier!
Birkinau Work Camp, each chimney was a wooden dormatory - so many!!
Polish Pottery - thanks Lisa!Town Sqaure Warsaw

Cold and Dark at 4pm - we found a cozy cafe

Cute bundled kids in Krakow
Krakow Old TownKrakow Artwork

Important Polish Snack - pretzelWe found this restaurant on the first day and ate almost every meal there!
Streets of Krakow Town Square Krakow

2010-11-22T19:43:00.013+02:00

Word Made Flesh Field Visit to Moldova Last week I visited Moldova in my role as Health Advisor for Word Made Flesh (WMF). The country of Moldova is situated in Eastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine. Clock tower and Cathederal

The people have strong ties to Romania and Russia (Moldova was part of Romania and more recently, the Soviet Union).

King Stephen the Great

This is WMFs newest field. The team of US and Romanian staff arrived, after much planning, in January 2010. After a lot of research they have discerned doors opening for them to spend time with 'at risk' children and youths who have been placed in institutions (boarding schools) by order of the government. During my visit I was able to go to the school with the team one afternoon. They had just been given a space in which to meet with the kids, run activities (like art) and assist with homework. Tired WMF staff after cleaning out the rooms - they moved out the beds and moved in desks and chairs.The Coatroom!

The team requested First Aid training and so while I was there we spent 2 mornings completing American Red Cross First Aid training. They will be able to use the skills to develop a first aid kit, administer any needed first aid, and possibly incorporate basic first aid in lessons to the kids.

First Aid Training in the WMF Office

On the weekend we went to a traditional and historic village complete with monestary and hermit caves in the cliff! We were having a nice quiet scenic picnic until a bus of Moldovan teachers arrived and picniced with us, offering us their copious food items.

2010-11-06T19:52:00.007+02:00

The Battlefield of Al Alamein

Yesterday I was able to join a group exploring the WW2 battlefield of Al Alamein west of Alexandria on the North (Mediterranean) coast of Egypt. In July - November 1942 Australian, British, New Zealand and South African troops battled and ultimately ousted the German and Italian forces led by General Romel who were trying to invade Egypt from Libya. This was the 'high-water mark'; the furtherest point the Axis forces came into Egypt (111km from Alexandria).

A friend who is a WW2 buff and a British Colonel who is also very interested in the battle guided our group. We went to the Commonwealth cemetary where nore than 4000 soldiers are buried. The Australians (3 of us) laid a wreath at the memorial.

We also went to the various battle sites along the front line and the battles were described. My favourite was 'the blockhouse' (below) which was a railway shed used as a Medical post by the Germans. This was one of the first buildings captured in a big offensive at the end of October / early November 1942. The Australian forces took over the building and convinced the German medical team working there to continue. They were soon inundated with the wounded either walking in, or being carried on stretchers from the fighting going on around them. In one night they cared for more than 265 wounded (mostly on stretchers), including digging some of their patients out when the ceiling collapsed from the shelling!

Below is the original Al Alamein railway station. The British are trying to get funding to make this into a little museum. The rail line comes from Alexandria. Supplies would have been brought in and wounded out via this railway.

2010-11-06T19:00:00.004+02:00

Mel's Job

Many of you know that I (Mel) finished up at the school at the end of last school year and started a new position as an Epidemiologist (finally making full use of that Public Health degree)!! I am working at one of the CDC's (i.e. US Center of Disease Control and Prevention) global disease detection units. I am in a sub-unit dealing with hospital acquired infections. This takes me into local hospitals and I work doctors and nurses, mainly infection control teams. The first three months have been fun, but working full time gives me less time to do things like update our blog!

Mel working with infection control nurses in Alexandria.

Mel doing a survey at a hospital.

2010-07-01T06:20:00.003+03:00

Kosovo

From Skopje, Macedonia we took a bus to nearby Kosovo (the newest country in the world)... We saw this sign as we we crossed the border in Kosovo...
Kosovo's flag (blue)...
Center of Prishtina - pedestrian street...

2010-06-28T05:37:00.014+03:00

Macedonia

This is the Macedonian Flag. After a night in Istanbul we flew to Skopje and rented this little car to drive to Lake Ohrid for a few days.After a few hours drive through beautiful green farms and mountains we made it to the town of Lake Ohrid... and eventually found our way through the narrow widing streets to our hotel at the bottom of the hill on the lake shore...this is the view from our balcony...Church of St. John at Kaneo ...

Archeological dig at the church of... site of a 4th century basilica.We drove our little car to the top of Mt. .... to look at the view of both lakes from the top...After seeing the Monastery of St. Naum complete with super old church...and peacocks! It was a very relaxing few days and with wonderful food. Featured here is the Macedonian salad and local olives.

2010-06-28T04:56:00.006+03:00

Istanbul, Turkey

On the way to America this summer we had an overnight in Istanbul. Never ones to let an opportunity go to waste we checked out how Sultanamet had changed since we were there in 1997.

Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar

2010-06-28T04:38:00.002+03:00

Goodbye to Good Friends

It is part of our life that we regularly say goodbye to good friends. However, this year we had to say goodbye to two sets of dear friends as they moved on to new adventures.

We had a party at our house for Brad and Emily...

Hold this space for a photo of Priscilla and Larry at their goodbye party...

2010-06-28T04:31:00.001+03:00

Mel's Book Club Felucca This is our annual felucca (sail boat on the Nile) where we vote on our choices for the coming school year.

2010-06-28T04:14:00.003+03:00

Horse Riding After School Activity
One of the students attended every single lesson of every session and was able to jump by the end!
This is the last session that I will be doing as I am moving on to a new full time job that does not fit in with the schedule so I will miss the chance to get out and be with the kids and horses each week.

2010-04-03T21:52:00.002+02:00

Fords in Cairo - Hanging Out

2010-04-03T21:09:00.009+02:00

Fords on the Nile

We went on a sunset dinner cruise on the Nile on a boat called the Christina (a Greek owned boat). Here are the boys with the captain. We cruised down the Nile as the sun set...and back, enjoying the city lights...This was our Christmas and birthday gifts to Marc's Mom and Dad and Lisa and Steve. It was also Rob's birthday celebration with us (his birthday is in April).

2010-04-02T19:53:00.002+02:00

Fords in Islamic Cairo
Mohamed Ali Mosque at the Citadel...On the roof of Ibn Toloun Mosque (the oldest mosque in Cairo still in use)...
going up the minaret...to look over the city...

2010-03-31T20:33:00.005+02:00

Fords at the Pyramids
You wouldn't know from this photo but there were at least 500 other tourists trying to get a photo from this spot...going inside The Great Pyramid...The Ford boys rode a camel called Mickey Mouse (a bit unexpectedly, they were supposed to just be having a photo!)... I mean ALL the Ford boys......we stayed at the Mena house, this is the view from our room...these Ford boys like to play catch with a baseball anywhere...here we all are at the Mena House......the Sphinx has seen alot of things over the past few thousand of years....The step pyramid at Saqara...

2010-03-31T19:45:00.006+02:00

Fords in Coptic Cairo

After getting oriented and recovering from the long flight the first stop on the Ford family visit was the old Christian part of Cairo, just 4 stops on the Metro.It was the day after Palm Sunday so there were lots of woven palms left over from the celebraitons. Lisa explainsPalm Sunday to her boys... A beautiful carving of the Last Supper in the Church of St. Sergius. We visit the Hanging Church...

Ready to go home.

2010-03-11T21:20:00.007+02:00

Climbing Mt. Meru in Tanzania
I just got some photos of our hike from the students (I did not want to carry our camera).

Signing in at the ranger's station before the hike...Last minute re-packing...Our porters (carrying 20kg each of our food and water)...Contemplating the last Red Bull for 3 days...Our route up the mountain: We started at the gate (middle bottom), took the path to the right, wound behind the Meru Sumit and then climbed Little Meru peak...OK it's this way...Across a grassy plain-WOW!!...Then up hill to hot drinks, food and our huts at the first camp...View of Mt Kilimanjaro as the sunset...Second day hiking through 'enchanted' forests...We can see the peak...Second night camp from the peak...The viewof where we've come from from the peak...Then the clouds rolled in...Then down, down, down for the whole day! Mel resting...We were so happy and had such a great sense of acheivement, both when we made it to the top and when we finally got back to the Ranger's Station!

2010-03-11T18:10:00.010+02:00

Marc in Bhutan (again) CAC Week Without Walls
While Mel was with her students in Tanzania, I took a group of 16 students to India and Bhutan for an adventure trip! We had a great group of kids and got to add two hikes to last year's itinerary. Sadly, I broke our camera within an hour of arriving in Bhutan, so I had to rely on borrowed cameras and borrowed pictures. The entire country feels like an open-air museum, so I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves....

We had a day in Delhi on the way and got to visit the home in which Ghandi spent the last months of his life. This picture shows where he took his final footsteps....

a bridge we crossed on day 1....

the entrance to our first monastery....

the second monastery...

spinning prayer wheels inside the second monastery....

the view through some prayer flags at the top of the pass....

The destination of our most challenging hike - a nunnery at around 3700 meters (12,000 ft)

resting about half-way along our final hike....

our group at the top....

the destination - Tigers' Nest Monastery

a foot bridge we crossed on one hike....

... a closer look!

We really did have a wonderful trip and are thankful that God kept us safe and relatively healthy throughout!!!!

2010-03-08T19:24:00.009+02:00

Wadi Natron Today I went with a friend, Carmen, to visit the Coptic Orthodox Monasteries at Wadi Natron. (Natron is a naturally occurring salt (sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate) used, among other things, in the mummification process by ancient Egyptians.) In Egypt early Christians sought to clear their minds of earthly desires and unite with God by living a simple life in the desert. For this purpose a well, grain mill and chapel was set up at Wadi Natron in the 4th century A.D. This soon became three monasteries supporting resident monks and hermits living in the surrounding desert caves. Various additions have been added over the centuries but many of the original structures and frescos are still there. This is the refectory where monks came to share a meal in silence after the service. The lectern at the far end was from where scripture was read while they ate. The desert hermits would come in once a week to take confession, hear the service, eat with their brothers and replenish supplies.

Today these monasteries remain places of quiet and calm, a place to seek God, a retreat from the world, as well as a living documentation of Christianity in Egypt-a living museum.A number of monks still reside at each monastery, all be it in more modern quarters, and were happy to give us very informative and entertaining tours of each.The coptic language, used for services is supposed to be the closest thing to ancient Egyptian still spoken and apparently uses some heiroglyphs as well as greek letters.

2010-03-08T19:17:00.002+02:00

A Month of First Aid Stations

Last month (February) there seemed to be a lot of sports sports events at school so I manned the first aid station for wrestling, tennis and basketball tournaments. Here I am at the tennis.

2010-03-06T11:07:00.013+02:00

Melanie in Tanzania (CAC Week Without Walls) I (Melanie) and another teacher from CAC (Wayne Bramlett) took 14 students to Moshi, Tanzania this past week. We were hosted by Moshi International School in the north of Tanzania. Our program included doing some volunteer work on a local school for a few days... before...after...before... after...visiting an orphanage......and a challenging 3 day climb to the sumit of Littler Meru (3801m) through Arousha National Park (photos to come). Between all that hard work we went to a cultural show...did some shopping...and cooled off at a waterfall where we all jumped 30 foot into the pool below...and played with a cameleon! We had a great group of kids and had a really good time.

2010-01-15T14:20:00.005+02:00

Mel's Birthday

Mel had several of celebrations for her 37th birthday. Celebration #1 with the Moores, including fancy drinks! Then a lovely day at work including gifts and lunch from colleagues and a Happy Birthday serenade from John Hallenbach's singing group (that he gathers together occationally). Back: Seamus, John, Larry. Front: Marci, Mel, Beth

The third celebration was a dinner Marc organised with friends at a little place called the Cellar Door. In this photo we have just finished a fantastic carrot birthday cake sent by Priscilla - who couldn't come :( - thats why we look so satisfied.Marc, Mel, Marci, John, Regina, Andy, Carmen, Sandra, Dan.

2010-01-12T18:34:00.006+02:00

Moores Do Upper Egypt Day 4

The Aswan high dam (2nd largest in the world - largest Lake Argyle WA!!!) A boat trip to get to... Philae Temple (it is on an island in the Nile)...Things to buy from the Nubian boys on the boat.Perfume Factory - enough said...Sunset on deck...our last evening on the boat and the end of our cruise.

A great finale - now back to Cairo and time for the Moores to head to Switzerland.

2010-01-12T10:21:00.005+02:00

Moores Do Upper Egypt Day 3

Exploring Edfu Temple...

Brightly colored trinkets...you know you want to buy...something...Komombo Temple (it was the temple of the crocodile headed god)...Who is this local family at the Egyptian dress dinner?

2010-01-11T19:29:00.008+02:00

Moores Do Upper Egypt Day 2
The Colussi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings (no photos alowed inside the tombs)... Hatshepsut's Temple... Reading books while...Mum and Dad explored the temple.Alabaster making... Lots of table tennis on the boat! Ball girl - at least for a few more years. Enjoying the (very cold) swimming pool on deck. Cruising the Nile...and going through the lock at the Nile Cataract.

2010-01-11T11:27:00.007+02:00

Moores Do Upper Egypt: Day 1

I am sure you are all waiting impatiently for this posting of our Nile Cruise. Here are some photos of Day 1:

Chillin' on deck of the MS Nile OdysseyExploring Karnak Temple A couple of statues! What's with this tall pointy thing? Now this is exploring Egypt! From Karnak to Luxor Temple. Clip Clop! Luxor Temple...we slept well!! Day 2 soon!

2010-01-04T15:12:00.007+02:00

Girls Do Alexandria, Boys Do Kid's Day of Fun

Sunday Melissa and Melanie went to Alexandria for the day on the train to see the new library (Bibliotheca Alexandria) while Marc and Kim gave the kids a really fun day. M&M left home at 7am and took the metro line into Ramses Station and from there took the direct train to Alex (2 1/2 hours). We arrived in Alex at 10:30 and walked from the station to the library to get a feel for the city. Some of the way was along the corniche (the path along the semi-circular Mediterranean bay). We did a tour of the impressive library and were struck by the contrast between the run-down state of the city and overwhelming opulance of the library.

(part of the reading hall with space for 2000 users!)

We then went to the 2nd century A.D. catacombes (3 levels underground) but no photos as we had to leave our cameras at the gate. After that we headed back to the station to catch the 3 o'clock train back to Cairo. Meanwhile the boys and Madi went to City Stars Shopping Center, the newest huge shopping complex in Cairo. They had lunch at RainForest Cafe, a US chain restaurant that is totally decorated as a rainforest jungle complete with waterfall and animals that move and make noise at random moments. After that they saw a movie and then had some rides in a theme park - all in the mall!! Today is a rest day before our 5.30am flight to Luxor and 3 night Nile cruise starting tomorrow!

No more blogs until we get back.

2010-01-02T20:02:00.005+02:00

Moores do the Citadel, Islamic Cairo and the Khan al-Kalili

Hi, Melissa here (Mel's sister-in-law); today Kim and I explored Islamic Cairo with expert guidance from Marc. Mel looked after the kids who really needed a day at home - Nathan & Madi had lots of fun with Aunty Mel.

First we went to the Citdel where we saw the Mohammed Ali Mosque. It was a massive structure, unlike anything we have seen before.

Kim shopping for trinkets at the Khan (Khan al-Khalili), a huge bazaar selling all sorts of paraphernalia. We each found a treasure! The Khan is a busy, overwhelming place filled with tourists and stalls upon stalls of men hawking their wares. It was fun!

A traditional market place where the sights, sounds and smells assulted us!

We visited Bab Zuwelia - part of a city wall built in the 11th century. It was very cool. Kim & I climbed to the top of one of the minarets.

2010-01-01T19:39:00.008+02:00

Moores do the Camel Market & the Step Pyramid at SakaraToday we got up early and we went to the Friday Camel Market outside of Cairo. We saw this boy carrying alfa-alfa and looking like a walking tree. A camel was following him trying to get a bite (see it's shadow at the bottom of the photo). It was Nathan and Madi's favourite part of the day! We went on to visit the step pyramid at Sakara, one of the first pyramids built. From this site you can also see the pyramids of Giza (right of Nathan's head) and the bent pyramid (left) on the distance.

2010-01-01T19:22:00.001+02:00

Happy New Year from the Moores and Curlesses in Cairo! We didn't make it to midnight but we did celebrate by ordering cinnamon rolls from Cinnabon!Yummmmmmmmmmm.....

2009-12-31T21:32:00.009+02:00

Moores do Cairo Tower From Coptic Cairo we took a taxi to Cairo Tower. It was a very strange taxi since the driver had a small plant as part of his dashboard decoration! We got stuck in traffic downtown for a long time but eventually made it to the tower and climbed up for the view of Cairo. You can even see the pyramids (in the center on the horizon)!

2009-12-31T20:09:00.009+02:00

Moores do Coptic Cairo Today we went to the oldest part of Cairo. It is also the Coptic Christain quarter within the presincts of the 3rd Century Roman sector. We took the Metro train 4 stops and then explored the Hanging Church (suspended between two Roman towers)......and the Church of St. Sergius (where it is believed that the Holy family lived in a cave under the present day church during their stay in Egypt). We had a kind of treasure hunt with a check list to find certain things, like a star made of wood and St. George killing the dragon. And we got cool souvenirs.

2009-12-30T20:51:00.005+02:00

Moores do a Felucca Today we had a quiet morning around the house then went sailing in a felucca after lunch.

After the felucca we headed to Road 9 to shop...suprise - we all fit in one taxi when necessary!

2009-12-29T21:10:00.009+02:00

Moores Do Mt. Sinai
We traveled by van six hours to the Sinai peninsular to climb Mt. Sinai (where Moses is believed to have received the 10 commandments) and stay at St Katherine's Monastery. As soon as we arrived we headed up the mountain. Nathan and Madi rode camels and we all walked. Madi rode the camel like a Bedouin princess. Nathan managed to stay on his camel despite another camel biting his camel and them jostling each other. We made it to the top for sunset (a bit later than we planned) and then headed down the stairs mainly before it got completely dark. Nathan showed his amazing hiking skills by climbing up the 750 steep and rocky stairs to the top and then all the way down to the monastery on his own. We walked all the way down in the dark carrying Madi. This photo is when we reached the bottom of the stairs. Only six kilometers to go!!It was a beautiful crystal clear moonlit night and not too cold. We were so exhausted but also exhilerated to have made it...and very hungry. Luckily as we got near the smell of dinner wafted out of the monastery and we rushed into the dining room to be served a delicious and welcome hot diner. Nathan was almost too tired to eat but Madi serenely sucked down her spagetti!

Tuesday morning dawned crystal clear and sunny. We explored the peaceful monastery enclosure which was established in the 300's A.D before heading back to Cairo (not so serene but good to be home).

2009-12-27T21:37:00.004+02:00

Moores do stuff at the Curlesses apartment

Making stuff with Beads

A show - Nathan presented the funniest act (the Dingo Dance complete with its history) but Madi had the best costume and struck the best pose!

Nathan goes souvenier shopping.

2009-12-27T20:33:00.006+02:00

Moores do Cairo Museum Today we tried to go to the Papyrus Institute and the Cairo Tower. First we took the Metro train. It was quite crowded but we did fine with the girls in the Ladies Car and the boys in the general section. Then we took two taxis to find the Papyrus Institute. After some kind of taxi-treasure-hunt lead by a driver with serious road rage and who did not actually know the way, we found the insititute closed permanently and converted to a Golds Gym! Since the air quality was too poor to catch goods views from the tower we diverted to the Cairo Museum. On the way there the taxi that Team Bravo (Kim, Mel and Madi) was in, which emitted a constant screaching from under the bonnet, broke down - twice. After the second time Kim decided that from the smell of boiling radiator, the problem was fatal. We bailed and hailed another taxi while the driver re-started the sick taxi and tried to convince us that there was "no problem". A little later we passed him with his bonnet up, broken down on the bridge!! We could not take our cameras into the museum but it was as overwhelming as expected and we did a quick run through of the highlights. Our favourite things:

Marc: The giant beds made from long skinny wooden lions found in King Tut's tomb

Madi: The metal finger and toe tips used to protect the fingers and toes of mummies.

Nathan: Animal mummies especially 10 foot crocodile mummies

Melissa: The doll like models of boats, armies and everyday life that Pharoahs put in their tombs

Kim: Giant stone statues on the ground floor.

Mel: Mummies in the mummy room - the "dead guys"

2009-12-26T22:06:00.006+02:00

Moores do the Pyramids The first order of business for the Moore's holiday in Cairo was the pyramids. But......we picked the foggiest morning we have ever seen in Cairo... we could not even see the top of the pyramids until after 10:30. Nathan was a bit miffed that we did have him bring his beanie - it was damp and chilly.
We had a picnic at the base of the medium pyramid. A good time was had by all...especially Aunty Mel!

2009-12-26T20:05:00.006+02:00

Christmas in Cairo

We are spending Christmas in Cairo with the Moores (my brother Kim, his wife Melissa, Nathan and Madison) this year. They arrived at 10pm on Christmas eve. After a leisurely breakfast we opened gifts... and then went to burn off some energy at school (CAC)... ...to get ready to eat Christmas dinner!
Carmen and Andy (our friends and Marc's work colleague) also joined us and were a BIG hit with ginger-bread man decorating before dinner. This was the first time that I ever cooked a Christmas dinner, or a roast dinner for that matter.

With a little guidance from Melissa and gravy making assistance from Kim it was great.

2009-12-19T22:35:00.010+02:00

Meanwhile in Cairo...Some of Marc's students are starting to hear back from colleges while others are still trying to get their applications in!

Mel chaperoned the Elementary horseriding activity again this year. This is another great group of students and some very enthusiastic riders.

Meet our birds - Shish Tawok and Eve. Eve laid four eggs but then lost interest in the reproductive process. They seem to be having marital difficulties at the present moment.We are both looking foward to the break and Mel's brother and family visiting. Meanwhile we have a few days before they arrive. Here are some images from our latest explorations in old Cairo.

2009-12-19T21:52:00.003+02:00

Australia

I just got back from a quick visit to Australia. It was Dad's 60th Birthday. Long trip but totally worth it.

Dad, Ashley, Aunty Di, Mum, Nan, Uncle Ron.

Highlights were BBQ with Dad on the river foreshore. Christmas dinner with the family at Aunty Di and Uncle Ron's house. Staying with Nan at her house. A full day with Ash.

2009-12-19T20:36:00.003+02:00

Thanksgiving Weekend
We made an unexpected trip to New Delhi, India over the Thanksgiving Weekend to visit the American Embassy School. The Hamiltons were good enough to let us use their home while they were away and entertain us when they returned. It was great to see the Hamiltons in their new environs at AES and Marc's friend Oren who is one of the counsellors there. Unfortunately we did not get offered the jobs that we were interested in.

2009-11-17T15:47:00.003+02:00

Varsity Boys Take the Gold in London

After a long, but fun season, we traveled to London for some soggy weather and an 8-team tournament. We came out slowly and lost our first game, but then warmed up and won the match 2-1, and ended up winning every game of our remaining eight matches including two dominating performances against the host team in a pretty hostile gym!!!

The boys did a fantastic job, making the coaches extremely proud!!!

2009-11-06T10:52:00.013+02:00

Western Desert Trip 2009

Yesterday I returned from my 3rd trip to the White Desert (west of Cairo near the Bahiraya Oasis) with the 8th grade students from CAC. The students are divided into six groups, each with six pack camels, three chaperones, two 4WDs, and a guide with several supporting staff that manage the cooking, driving and setting up camp. This year I was the nurse again and spent my time traveling to visit each group every day and respond to any ailing students.

The students stayed pretty safe and healthy so we all had a good time.

Students getting off the bus to begin the walk to their first camp-site on Monday night.

We had a full moon which made for very brights nights. The first night I found some students up at 3am and when I asked them what they were doing they told me they were too cold and were getting up. I mentioned that it was 3am and they were SO suprised because it was so light!

The scattered clouds made for some beautiful skies.

We had some beautiful campsites with great views from our beds...

...good campfires with grilled chicken, tea, and marshmellows...

Lots of stunning limestone formations:

...and the wide open expanse of the desert.

- Melanie, November 2009

2009-10-31T15:36:00.006+02:00

The Streets of Cairo

I have had to go to the Australian Embassy several times over the past few weeks and have found myself experiencing what most Cairenes go through every day. Living and working in Maadi we can mostly avoid this as we can walk to most places we want to go. However, being stuck in traffic is a daily reality of most of the city with travel times of one to one and half hours to work being common. Here is what I looked at for about an hour:

- Mel, October 2009

2009-10-24T19:34:00.005+02:00

Volleyball Weekend This weekend was the JV volleyball tournament. For the past few years Marc has coached the JV team and the tournament has been in Kuwait. This year Marc is coaching the older boys team and the tournament was at CAC. I signed up for the first aid station and so spent the entire weekend at school handing out ice and taping sweating atheletes.

2009-10-11T18:32:00.002+02:00

Joel Visits

Joel always turns up like... a McDonalds restuarant overseas...
It is great. We have had meetings in 6 countries on 4 continents in the last 9 years, and now in Cairo.

2009-10-08T20:46:00.018+02:00

Budapest - Hungary

It seems for the beginning of this year we have one long weekend every month (you've gotta love the school schedule!). For the October long weekend we found cheap flights to Budapest, Hungary. Here are some photos of our weekend:

Chess at the railway station. Workmen in Hungary wear overalls. Statue at Buda Castle (by Mel). Statue at Buda Castle (by Marc).

Coffee shop at Buda Castle.

The Danube

Jewish Memorial (each leaf has the name of someone who perished during WW2)The outside of the synagogue.

Walking the streets of Pest:

2009-10-08T19:36:00.010+02:00

Bratislava, Slovakia

During the weekend we took the train to Bratislava, Slovakia to visit our friends Matt, Michelle, Emma Ruth & Alex Lake who work at a school there. We had a lovely overnight visit with them and were entertained quite a bit by Emma. One of the great things abour Europe - things are close, you can take the train. We love the train! The streets of Bratislava. We also went to a cabbage festival (it is the time of year to make sourkraut) - no photos. A fun dinner - we are pretty sure Emma just wanted food! A photo by Mel

2009-09-30T19:26:00.005+02:00

Recipe of the Week - Super Stuffed Tortillas

We LOVE this recipe from Simply In Season (World Community Cookbook).

1-2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 large onion

1 green pepper

Saute garlic in 2 teaspoons oil for 1 minute.

Add onion and pepper and saute until crisp-tender.

2 cups/500 ml corn

1 small-medium zucchini (sliced)

1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin

Add and continue to saute until all vegetables are tender but not browned.

2 cups/500ml cooked black beans

1 cup/250ml chicken or vegetable broth

6 tablespoons salsa

Add and cook until there is no excess moisture. Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, sliced green onions or chives, and chopped fresh cilantro to taste.

flour or corn tortillas

cheddar cheese, feta, or queso blanco

Preheat a frypan with a bit of oil and place a tortilla in pan. Add cheese in center of tortilla and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup 60-125ml vegetable filling. Fold in hlaf and flip so its crispy on both sides. Or place a second tortilla on top, flip, and fry crisp.

Variation: Add or substitute spinach, roasted poblano peppers or other vegetables for corn and zucchini. For a heartier meal, add leftover frilled chicken.

Serves 6-8

2009-09-22T18:45:00.010+02:00

A Weekend in Thessaloniki

We had the pleasure of spending a long weekend in northern Greece hosted by the counseling department at Anatolia College this past weekend. Marc helped them with a new program for sending US college applications and they treated us to a sample of beautiful Thesaloniki. The weather was cool and pleasant, even some fresh, clean rain that made the aroma of pine rise up from the green foliage (those of you who have been to Egypt will understand why this was so meaningful). The food was EXCELLENT, thanks to Eva, our hostess who knows where to go and what to order. and we feasted on very fine Greek food at each meal. We were able to see some hightlights of the area. This church was built where the apostle Paul addressed the Thesselonians. Mount Olympus in the background of this photo (the legendary home of the ancient Greek gods). An archeological site and ...museum at the foot of the mountain where the ancient city of Dion was found. The peninsula of Mt. Athos where only men over the age of 18 can set foot. There is a long tradition of monastic life and retreat from the the world. We went on a boat tour of the penninsula to see the monasteries after a quick Greek breakfast (spinach pie) on the beach with Georgia (Anatolia College counselling staff and her fiance Tasos). We felt a strong sense of a place steeped in ANCIENT history......and a feeling that the people who live there feel this stongly along with appreciation of the beauty that surrounds them.

2009-08-21T12:10:00.017+02:00

Starting 2009-2010

I feel a little silly taking the photos of our "normal" lives for this post but we have requests for such a thing so I endured. Here is the result...When we got back our Egyptian Jasmine (locally known as 'ful') was blooming and the rich smell sustains us when we hang out on our balcony early in the morning. It is too hot in the afternoon/evening right now as it gets full afternoon sun.These are one of the six sets of stairs up to our apartment. Before we left for the break I could go up and down any number of times a day without blinking. After 2 months away - well not only was I a bit winded but my legs actually hurt for several days. How embarasing!During the first week of school (staff only) they conducted mass CPR/First Aid training. I was asked to be one of the many instructors to help check the participants skills. We did 50 people a day for two days and it went really well thanks for great organizing (I was not a part of that).The CAC Health Office has not changed from the outside...Inside the Health Office things have changed slightly with the exit of Mary, the prior head nurse and the entrance of Angie (on the right). On the left is Nagla, our wonderful receptionist.Watching the kids arrive on the first day of school.This time of year, before the swim team settles into vigorous training the CAC pool hours work for us and we enjoy regular cool laps!The CAC tradition is that after the first week of school with students each semester the principals of each division hold a staff party at their apartments. Since the apartments are one on top of the other it is commonly known as "the three levels of fun". Here we are living it up on the balcony of the Elementary Pricipals place.

Below: The annual charity grass volleyball tournament at CAC was this weekend. Marc played - I did not. I did first aid. Note the crane and the half built Elementary building in the background. The health office will move over there once it is finished.

Marc's school year (as do many others) always starts off with 17 days straight of work. This was his first day off after that marathon. Love the Lay-Z-boy!

2009-07-12T06:23:00.012+03:00

Summer in the USA 2009

Indiana - what a great place to be in the summer! Playing lawn games (Kuub) -with Pat Hummel of course...it will change your life!This is Mel with Dave and Grant Ford at Dave's T-ball game. Where is Rob, their older brother? Well, he is usually with Marc so they can talk and play sports. Aunty Mel is not so great for sports trivia or in atheletic ability but if you want to tell a story, play a game, or do a craft Aunty Mel is good to have around. We are so lucky to be involved in the lives of the 3 Ford boys, even if it is only once a year! Sleepover!

Curless family retreat at Quaker Haven Camp Men and women speparate...is this some long forgotten Quaker tradition? Not a Quaker tradition in this case, but the weekend tradition is to have a girls and guys afternoon. Girls went to lunch a shopped in peace and the boys...well some kind of fast food and games are involved. Chicago with the Drakes We had a very fun time in Chicago with Tim and Shelby Drake. We got to stay at hotels from the Marriott Group (thanks Monica!)
The new sky deck at the Sear's Tower Riding the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier More Drake Fun

Shelby taught me to make fruit s'mores and I have never looked back! Raspberries are the best.(graham cracker, cream cheese or nutella, berries, well toasted marshmellow!)

Marc goes to Colorado

Good time with Pat and the six Rowes (although the Rowes somehow managed avoid the camera).

Grandma Hoover's 90th Birthday Party

The Hovercraft Adventures

Marc's Dad has been building a hovercraft from scratch for the past year and it was ready to go this summer. Marc and Dad went on several adventures. One of which got them a front page story in the local paper!http://www.wabashplaindealer.com/articles/2009/08/01/local_news/local4.txt

This was a morning trip on the Wabash River then up the Missisiniwa to the Dam. We saw lots of wildlife - birds, frogs, fish, turtles and a snake! View this hovercrafting video

The final meal in the USA for 2009 - bacon hmmmmmmmmmmmm....

The End...now back to Egypt and work!
Thanks for keeping up with our adventures!

2009-06-23T03:09:00.013+03:00

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...

2009-06-06T14:03:00.008+03:00

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!

2009-05-01T22:53:00.003+03:00

PTO Dinner Gala

Last night we went to the school Parent Teacher Organization Dinner Gala. Here we with our friends on our table.

2009-04-28T13:36:00.008+03:00

WMF Board Meeting Weekend WMF USA Office Omaha, Nebraska

I (Mel) just returned from a trip to the US to attend the WMF Board Meeting Weekend. Board Meetings occur twice a year and are accompanied by new staff commissioning, departing staff farewell, and various other community events. I was feeling a little out of touch with the WMF community and wanted to get back in touch before my field visit to Peru in late July this year. I feel like this visit certainly accomplished that.

WMF Staff, Board and guests mingle

I was able to spend time with Chris and Phileena Heuertz (Directors and long time friends), as well other staff that work at the US office in Omaha. I had a lovely dinner with Hilary Wilken who is Phileena's new assistant. It was great to get to know her a little. I also got to meet the newest field staff members soon heading out to Calcutta and Bolivia. I also shared in a lunch for staff and guests at Silas and Kim West's house (who we visited when they served as WMF field directors in Nepal in 2003). I was able to meet and chat with most of the Board Members too.

Phileena and I

Chris and I

As far as being helpful, I was able to spend some time in the Adovacy Department giving some feedback on some policies. And it was good to have face to face time with Amanda and Silas in the Community Care Department as well as Tara (Medical Advisor) to continue with developing and fine tuning on staff health procedures.

Due to the Orthodox Easter holidays I was able to visit my friend Michele in Idaho during this trip without taking in extra days off school. Michele and I worked together at International SOS in Cambodia. It was s good to re-connect and debrief with each other.

Michele and I

I have to admit that I really enjoyed my layovers in London where I sat looking out at the rain and tarmac while drinking tea, journaling, and reflecting on the year so far. I found the time really valuable to regain some perspective. This year in Cairo has been more difficult for me than most. From my journal on the way:

Like a reflection in an outwardly lit glass, can I ever really ever see myself? I constantly look through myself to what's going on outside. I don't really want to look at myself anyway. I want to hide and avoid the pain. The shame. The stark reality that I am not as nice, good, pure, generous, right as I think I am. Learning of myself is not so painful in itself - I always knew it on some level. It's admitting to others, being vulnerable and acting on the self-awareness that causes discomfort.

And on the way back:

This has been a great trip. I feel grounded and inspired in a way that I have not for a while. Grounded by Michele's friendship - to be known and still loved - surrounded by certainty, steadiness, roots, and longing. Inspired by Chris's fresh way of seeing things. Inspired by Phileena's gentle strength. Inspired anew by WMF's identity - to center around a relationship with Jesus and live this out in our skin, to committnent to serving the least of us (those we mostly turn away from). Inspired to grasp my Egypt expereince and ride it all its worth. To really find out what God has in mind for Melanie in Egypt.

I appreciate your prayers.

2009-04-16T19:31:00.002+02:00

Long Weekend at the Beach

Marc and I went to the beach on the Red Coast of Egypt for the Western Easter weekend.

We went with Marc's colleague Andy, and his wife Carmen.

This weekend we have another long weekend - this time for Eastearn Easter! Mel is off to the US, ultimately to spend some time at the Word Made Flesh head office during the board meeting weekend on the 23-25th. On the way she will visit her friend and former colleague, Michele, from SOS Cambodia. While at SOS she will be meeting with folks from the Community Care office, with whom she works in her role as Health Advisor. The visit will concentrate on getting up to date with the latest going's on with WMF and the Community Care office, make and maintain relationships with staff, and work on health related policies and procedures.

Please pray for Mel to have a safe trip, refreshing time with Michele and fruitful and helpful visit at WMF.

Meanwhile Marc is planning a restful weekend at home, relaxing and working on some school stuff.

2009-03-25T14:02:00.013+02:00

Spring in Korea 2009

We just returned from a glorious Spring break in Seoul, Korea with our dear friends, the Kents whom we know and love from Cambodia days. They just moved to Seoul Foreign School (SFS) this year from Cambodia. As you may remember we have a bit of history at SFS, Marc having forged a life-long bond with the Moon family while teaching English in Seoul long before he and I met. Marc also did his student teaching at SFS (with me along) in 2000. So we also go to spend some precious time with Jack and Edie Moon who are also working at SFS again. Lucky us!

The Moons treated us to an overnight trip to a traditional village in Andong about 3 hours away from Soeul. It was a very photogenic place! So here are some images from a wander around the village...

traditional Korean houses...

paper prayers...a persimon still on the tree after a long winter...

Below is the traditional B&B we stayed at. The rooms have low doors, heated floors and paper walls. Edie knows the owner (Harmony) from way back...

in a traditional kitchen...
rubber slippers...

kim chi (spicy pickled cabbage) pots...

Well it was almost spring - the flowers where trying to come out but it was near freezing most days!

Good times were had with the Kents:

tea party...

Marc and Sophie play...

Mel cooks with the Kent girls...

Mel and Sheree at an old tea house where birds fly around while you drink your tea.

2009-03-13T15:30:00.008+02:00

Week Without Walls Trip to Jordan

I (Melanie) got back last Friday from a six night school trip to Jordan. Marc and his group got in late on Saturday from Bhutan and and I tried to post my trip photos before he did but was foiled by some error. Although I could not publish this entry first, being second has some advantages - now my entry is on top!

I had been to Jordan before (with Marc in 1997) but only to Petra (the site with the temple from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and as it turns out there is so much more to Jordan than Petra! I actually did not get to see Petra this time as I stayed back to care for a sick student but it did not matter as there was so much other history and culture to absorb. The trip was part of CAC's annual high school Week Without Walls event. CAC has 24 trips and activities for 500 students and groups went all over the world including Bhutan (Marc's group), Indonesia, Western Australia, Bali, South Africa, Russia, Spain, London, Tanzania, Ghana etc. For our trip we had 15 students with myself and another chaperon. I was asked to go at the last minute to replace a teacher who was sick. Our trip was cultural and historical with a focus on the students making a photographic journal of the week.

It was a fun week but started out with surprisingly, and unseasonably cold weather. For the first few days it was wet and cold and that turned to snow, sleet and fog ! Besides being rained on and cold, we had trouble with the roads being closed due to ice and snow and only just got to Petra in terrible weather conditions. Luckily (most of us) took hats, gloves, rain gear and scarves! We saw the ruined Roman city of Jerash in the rain. The crusader castle at Shobek was more exciting in several inches of snow and with sleet falling. But that made it all the more fun since we all live in Cairo where it only rains a few times in the year and never gets to freezing. The kids from Europe and US were very nostalgic. They all made the most of it and threw snowballs and stood around in the snow. Unfortunately it was below 10C and raining steadily on the day we went to the Dead Sea. Four brave souls (I was not one of them) braved the conditions to float in the salty water! It was raining too hard to get any photos and I had to protect the towels from getting wet.Once we got to Petra it warmed up. The sun even came out for the last few days (luckily) when were staying in a desert camp (permanent camp with bathrooms and hot showers - which disappointingly did not work).We went on a jeep safari, had tea with Bedouins, camel rides, and several hikes into the surrounding desert.

It was fantastic desert weather, being sunny and cool in the day. However, it was cold once the sun went down and we all enjoyed the campfire and our warm beds (although some had trouble getting their bedding sorted out battling sand and blankets falling off).By the end we all had gotten to know each other quite well and were having fun together but were none the less ready to get home to our families, houses, beds and a hot shower in Cairo!

2009-03-09T12:01:00.012+02:00

We're having some trouble posting our recent blogs, so hopefully this will go through.... I just got back two nights ago and am taking advantage of a day off school (for the prophet's birthday) to catch up on some much-needed rest. My friend, Brent, and I chaperoned 16 students on a trip to India and Bhutan. You may remember that last year I got to take a group camping along the Ganges River in India. Well, at the end of that trip I started talking with one of the staff members about a possible trip to Bhutan.... The school's Week Without Walls committee bought into the proposal, so we got to move forward!

We spent the first day in Delhi, as the flight schedule into Bhutan is very limited. The next morning we flew through Kathmandu to Bhutan, and just visited a couple sights in hopes of getting acclimatized to the altitude.

(Thimpu's parliament house in the background)

The next morning we hiked to a monastery near the capital, Thimpu.

(not a bad view....)

(there was some steep climbing involved...)

The following day's highlight was a drive up to a high mountain pass at nearly 4,000 meters.

(view from the pass)

Some of our students had never touched snow before then; several snowball fights ensued....
Our last full day in Bhutan involved a lengthy and steep hike to the Tiger's Nest Monastery. All 18 of us made it up and down without injury - no small feat! The monastery was amazing, to say the least, and we were told that the hike is rated as one of the top five in the world. 2+ hours of steep climbing were followed by steep stairs down and back up to our destination. It's hard to comprehend the amount of work that went into building this monastery over 400 years ago.

(view from the bottom; see the white spot near the top...)

(and from the top!)

We were even rewarded with a clear view of Mt. Everest on our flight out of Bhutan - amazing!

Brent and I were blessed to have a group of fantastic students, who loved spending time together (this isn't always the case)....

It truly was an amazing week!

(the lucky chaperones)

2009-02-06T22:52:00.001+02:00

Ok - once again, it's been a terribly long time since we updated this blog. This time it was my dad who confirmed that our slactitude had not gone un-noticed (actually, it's great to know that at least someone still keeps up with it!). So here goes:

Our first semester ended in a flurry of activity, and once it concluded, we headed to Australia, with a two-day layover in Malaysia on each end. We had a restful and rejuvenating time catching up with our Australian family.

(family Chrismas get together in Perth)

(uncle Ashley getting some attention....)

(Nathan had had enough of pictures by this point....)
(One of our gifts was a dinner train ride south of Perth)

(Kim, Melissa, Nathan & Madison on our horse carriage "adventure"

(Madison and Mel checking out one of the horses)

The farm was looking pretty good this year!

(we even had a couple unexpected visitors....)

(celebrating our birthdays at a steak house out in woop woop (in the middle of nowhere))

(this is where we spent the majority of our vacation - wonderfully peaceful and relaxing!)

(we were treated by several wonderful views....)
(catching up with James - a friend of ours from Cambodia, now working in Kuala Lumpur)

2008-12-13T13:59:00.000+02:00

It's hard to believe that we're just about at the end of another semester, but after checking our calendars, we've been able to confirm that yes - Christmas is just around the corner! Despite Mel's desire to send Christmas cards out this year, we've come to realize that we just don't have the time to make that become a reality, so this posting is going to serve as our virtual Christmas card....

This Fall semester has been incredibly busy for both of us. Mel has successfully balanced her two jobs (at CAC and CSA). Her CSA responsibilities are going to be scaled down somewhat in 2009, and Mel is happy about this change. She and a good friend, Priscilla (pictured below) have recently begun a First Aid and CPR training venture. Their first few community classes have gone well, and they are looking forward to fine tuning it in 2009.

(Mel and Priscilla)

Marc survived his first semester as the head of the counseling department, and also made it through volleyball season. Things should be a bit more balanced in the second semester, whatever that means....

During the last couple days of the Eid break last week, we went to the Fayoum Oasis (a couple hours south of here) with our friends Andy and Carmen. We spent the night at a nice hotel on the lake, and got to visit both Whale Bone Valley and an ancient Temple of the Greek Pharaohs, which we only found with the help of some security guards following us along the way. They weren't very impressed with our adventure, but they joined us in wandering through the ruins, which made us to believe that they were happy to actually get to visit the site for their first time....

(Marc thinks UNESCO has played a joke on everyone by placing these bones in the desert)
(a view of Whale Bone Valley)

(the four of us at the hard-to-find Temple)

We also visited the Pyramid of Medium on the way back home. This is one of the oldest pyramids, and it was constructed before they got all the engineering and angles right....

(As Father Bob Roggenbuck would say, "just another pile of rocks....")

Guys - thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers over the months. We love you all and hope that you have a blessed Christmas with family and friends wherever you are. We're looking forward to reconnecting and catching up with our Australian family and we hope to hear from you soon. Merry Christmas!

2008-11-23T18:33:00.000+02:00

November 2008

A couple weeks ago, we were treated by a visit from Dave, Eric and Buzz from Indiana on their way to India. Although their visit was extremely short, we had a truly wonderful time with them. They wanted to see what our lives were like living in Cairo so we shared meals and our balcony with them, showed them the school, and did a quick exploration of Old Cairo (both Coptic... and Isalamic) and relaxed at sunset on the Nile in a felucca.
Now, around this time last year Melanie traveled to Sierra Leonne to do some advisory work with Word Made Flesh. So this year it was my turn, and I had the opportunity to attend a conference for high school counselors and college international admission staff. On the way and the way back, I was able to schedule university visits while extending my layovers in each direction. The university visits and the conference all provided fantastic professional opportunities for me, and I'm extremely grateful to have had the chance. But I have to say, my itenerary was absolutely packed:
Monday
- 6:30 - leave home for the airport
- 1:00 - arrive at destination and meet driver to take me to the university
- 2 - 6 - visit the campus and learn about programs
- 6-10 - dinner and socializing with school reps and 30 other counselors
- 10:00 - check into hotel
Tuesday
- 8:00 - breakfast
- 9 - 12 - check out and tour company where many graduates work, learning about work options - 12 - 2 - lunch
- 2-5:30 - free time
- 5:30 - go to airport and fly to next destination
- 11:30 - arrive at hotel, check in and go to bed
Wednesday
- 8:30-10 - conference and dinner
Thursday
- 8:30-8 - conference and closing reception
Friday
- 5:30 - check out of hotel and walk to bus stop for trip to airport
- 10:00 - arrive and receive train ticket
- 12-10:30 - visit two different universities and have dinner with two CAC grads there
Saturday
- 8:15 am- check out and take taxi to train to airport
- 9:00 pm- arrive home, unpack, and go to bed, as our work week begins on Sunday

As you can see, the itenerary was absolutely packed. Now, this was the only way that I could imagine getting any pity for the activities of the past week, because if I started by telling you where I went, all chances for anything but envy and grief would have been thrown out the window....

So the universities I visited were in Switzerland; they were all three ranked in the top five as far as hotel management and hospitality programs go, and they all extended a lot of hospitality. In addition, the conference, with over 150 school counselors and reps from over 150 universities, just happened to be held in Monaco. Both the visits and the conference were fantastic learning opportunities, but I do have to admit that the surroundings were amazing...:

the TV in my first room in Geneva... look at who's being welcomed (above the flag)...

just outside the conference center in Monaco

passing by a James Bond scene while walking back to my hotel

the view over Lake Geneva from Glion Institute

the view from my ski lodge balcony in the Swiss Alps

Now, I realize this may look somewhat extravagant, with gourmet meals, wine tastings, cheese fondue in a centuries-old chateau, 1st class train rides, and taxi rides in new, fancy Mercedes sedans... but come on... it's not I was given a Swiss Army knife with my name on it... or was I....

Melanie has been trying to keep up with herself at her various pursuits (school nurse at CAC, health and wellness advisor at Communiy Service Association [CSA] and first aid instructor as well a few online bits and pieces for Word Made Flesh).

As a school nurse she is still getting used

to things at CAC and finding her niche at the health office.

At CSA Melanie is wrapping up the intense period of her contract and is looking forward to just doing a few days a month maintaining the Health and Wellness program and health promotion at the organization. During the past 6 months she has added regular health fairs and monthly health promotion themes with feature articles in the organisation's magazine to the program at CSA. It has been exciting to see positive changes in the health behaviours of the staff at CSA as well increased interest and awareness in the community. Melanie has also developed a seminar for newcomers helping them to make plans for emergency medical care in Maadi and visiting local health care resources and the emergency room at a nearby hospital.

Melanie spent several days over the summer becoming certified as a first aid instuctor with the American Red Cross and buying CPR manikins. She is now putting this to good use in offering classes for community, schools, and businesses with a friend and collegue, Priscilla. Their first class had 18 participants and although it was a lot of work to get underway they were great students and after intensive practice felt confident they could administer CPR to adults, children and infants. There to seems to be some momentum with a one or two more classes before Christmas and several in January and February last week.

Things with Word Made Flesh have been somewhat on the back burner over the past few months as the above things all played out simulataneously. However, there have still been a few things she could help with via email and she is currently working on health policies for WMF staff. Thanks to generous contributions from many of you she will be able to make at least one field visit over the next two years, depending on the needs of the WMF global community.

2008-10-16T20:13:00.000+02:00

8th Grade Trip to Western Desert (Egypt)

I (Melanie) just returned home after spending three nights in the White desert near Bahiraya oasis east of Cairo with the 8th graders from CAC. This is one of the trips that the CAC middle school students go on every year. I went last year as a chaperone but this year I was the trip nurse (and I took our camera). My role was to take care of 140 students and chaperones in six small groups as they camped and walked pre-arranged routes for three days. Each of the three nights I camped with different groups.

Each day I visited each group to check in on them. Depending on where they were in their hike I either walked with them for a while or shared their meal and siester while taking care of anyone who needed to see me and my first aid kit. Snack with "red group"

Siesta with "black" group

Football with "green" group

Journal writing with "purple" group

Thankfully there were minimal health issues and everyone returned today healthy but smelly and sandy after three days without washing (and in some cases without changing clothing).
I really enjoyed the trip since my role gave me the chance to see a lot more of the desert than I did last year when I was hiking with just one group. This year I was with the expedition leader Mahmoud, and we drove between the groups in his 4WD.

Mahmoud is an interesting guy who is passionate about the desert and spends his time alternating between running a company that leads deep desert expiditions (often for groups of scientists studying geology or neolithic artifacts) and volunteering with the Egyptian government in various environmental projects.

I was lucky in that I got to cover a lot of ground between the six groups and so see many differnt faces of this part of the dessert: Sandy flats with grassy outcrops and multitudes of animal tracks, monumental limestone formations whittled by the wind and sand, valleys of small stone domes, sand dunes, and a 400 year old mimosa tree flowering in the barren landscape.

Another highlight was waking up before sunrise on the second morning and taking a series of photos from the comfort of my sleeping bag: To the east the sun was rising,to the west the moon setting, breakfast was being made,

camels were being cared for, and the sun was painting the limestone formations pink. After that I got dressed (inside my sleepingbag), washed my face and was ready for a another great day!

It was a great trip and I enjoyed getting to know the 8th graders a little better but was also happy to get home to Marc, a shower, and a bed!

2008-10-03T19:45:00.000+02:00

Finally Coming Up for Air

Well, it's been waaaaay tooooo long since we updated our blog. The summer, although a long time ago, was a fantastic chance to catch up with family and friends.... Here are some pictures from our time back in the States....

(hanging out at the playground)

the guys' operation "lunch out"

(Four generations of sports junkies at Dave's first Wizard's game)

(Mel and Dave during one of our fun sleepovers) Fun times with the 4 Drakes
Catching up with the Moons

We hit the ground running in August. Melanie has been balancing two part-time positions, which add up to an extremely busy Fall semester. She is working three days a week in the Health Office at school and continuing her consulting at CSA, a community center for expats. Marc has also been juggling his responsibilities in the counseling department with those coaching volleyball. We've both been busier than we like for the past two months, and despite the enormous temptation to take advantage of the break in some "far-off" land, we've decided that we need to stay home and catch up on work and rest... and save our money for future adventures....

Here are a few pictures from the past two months back home:

home... our updated living room configuration (yes - that's Marc's new lazy-boy!)

Mel's first Health Promotion Fair at CSA (Healthy Heart Bazaar) Mel at one of the booths at the Healthy Heart Bazaar

(This year's Peer Support Team at the end of our retreat)

The view from our room at the Mena House - a little "retreat" from the business of the past months

2008-05-31T09:56:00.000+03:00

Our First Year in Cairo Draws to a Close We got free tickets to the PTO ball!

As the end our first school year in Cairo rapidly comes to an end we thought to take this opportunity for one more blog before the summer break. So often we only blog after we have been on a trip so from our blog our lives look like one overseas adventure after another. Although we love the trips and adventures that this lifestyle has allowed us, our real life is here in the beautiful suburb of Maadi on the egde of Cairo.

We love our balcony!

We believe that our rather rapid transition from Cambodia to Egypt in 2007 was guided by a higher power. Looking back over the year we can already see some of the ways that God has orchestrated a place for us here - at least for the next few years! Marc is LOVING his job on the team of high school counselors at CAC and has a passion and enjoyment for his work not seen since he was a Hall Director at Taylor Fort Wayne.

Marc loving his job.

It gives him a chance to have relationships with students as well as use the administration and people skills for which he has a natural talent and has honed with study and expereince. Melanie had a chance for a much needed rest during the first few months in Cairo after finishing with International SOS Cambodia in August 07 and flying directly to Cairo. Mel enjoying her sabatical.

During that time she was able to make some exceptional friends that helped to ease the pain of leaving friends in Cambodia. When living as global nomad, although you may leave good friends you do not loose them and you get to make new ones!

Mel with Prisilla, a fellow nurse and one of our new friends.

After the time of rest there have been several different job opportunities that have been challenging, fun and helpful in getting to know the local medical scene. We were praying for a more perminant opportunity for Mel so that we both would be doing something we enjoyed. This prayer was answered when, after a somehwat drawn out process, Mel was the successful candidate for a school nurse position at CAC for 08/09. The school nurse office at CAC is unparellelled in our expereince with a team of highly qualified nurses, headed by an exceptional Nurse Practitioner caring for staff, students and at times the community. Melanie is looking foward to being part of this team and learning lots. The job is part time which will allow time for other pursuits too!!

Our everyday lives are pretty much the same as yours except we get to live them near the pyramids and only slightly removed from the hussle of a city of 20 million. We have a great church within walking distance that meets outdoors under a tent in all weather. There has been a lot of turn over of the leadership over the past year and a new senior pastor has just arrived. Things are looking good for the future. We have a fun small-group with whom we meet each week to share our triumphs and defeats and talk about what we are learning about being followers of God.

At the Camel Market with Mom & Dad and Brad & Emily from our small-group (we think Brad is taking a photo).

Mel has a book group and exercise class, the later of which she attends grudingly but untimately enjoys once its over. Marc has been involved in basketball, softball and occational volleyball games but gets most of his exercise at a local gym (Mels thinks he mainly goes because of the sauna!). We have felt really accepted and valued by the school community and have made some good friends. One thing that we have really enjoyed is the Cairo weather: The dry heat and minimal rain has been a nice change as well as the distinct change of seasons and cool weather Nov-Feb. We have been pleasantly suprised at how long the nice weather has lasted. We also have two parakeets that don't really have names yet. The birds also brought the doorman's daughter, Doah as a frequent visiter to our house. She looks at the birds and plays hide and seek and I practice Arabic with her.

Occasionally on the weekend we get out to some of the multitude of fantastic things to see and experience in Cairo. We have blogged most of those expereinces. Lately we have been lucky enough to have a few visitors; Travis and Amy Vanest (sorry no photo), Bob Rogenbuck (below)and at the moment Marc's parents. It has been fun sharing our lovely apartment and our part of Cairo with them. We do have several comprimising pictures of Lew but we will keep them for later...

With Mom and Dad at Bab Zweila - one of medieval Cairo's gates.With Mom & Dad at excavations around the Sakara Step Pyramid

Mom & Dad on a sunset felucca (who is driving the boat?)

2008-04-25T16:36:00.000+03:00

Camel Market

It is a long weekend and we just got back from a trip to the camel market just outside of Cairo. I will let the photos speak for themsleves.