Judy and the Birthday Camel
So who says you don’t get what you wish for on your birthday. Apparently my mom wished to ride a camel. So on her birthday we decided to first drive down to the Saudi Arabian boarder, which is only a 40 minute drive, and then we simply went off-roading into the desert. Suddenly we came across a man and his herd of camels. After a couple smiles and a friendly tip my up on her camel.
Checking out the Heritage Sauq and Husain’s Carpets
Another fun day with my parents as they explored the Kuwaiti Heritage Sauq. As a birthday gift, Karin and I treated my mom to a Persian carpet. So we stopped by Husain the Carpet guy and let her pick out her very own carpet. As you can see, Amira enjoyed walking all over the many carpets.
Taking the Fam on a Dhow Ride
What a great day for heading out into the gulf. My parents had a nice time seeing Kuwait from a different perspective. Some teachers from our school where nice enough to set up this ride for us and other teachers. We had great catered food as we enjoyed the ride. Amira was very well behaved as she sat with grandma.
The best part was when my dad of 69 decided to jump in the water along with the other teachers. Way to go dad!
A Photo Day
Today my friends and I decided to head out simply to take pictures. We started off by going down to the local mall where there is a marina with dhows and fisherman. The fisherman were nice enough to allow us onboard to take pictures until the security guard from the mall told us we were not welcomed there. After that we headed into the market area of the mall where they have fresh meat and fish for sale. And yes, not only is that goat you see but camel hanging!
To escape the smells we decided to head out into the desert for a real camel experience. For the first time we were chased by an alpha male camel. We had to quick run around the car and jump in for our lives!
Last Day In Turkey
Well like most things good, our time in Turkey had to come to an end. But before that, we spent a day at the Palace which had been converted to a museum for old artifacts. Lots of cool weapons, jewelry, and pottery. The most impressive part about the museum was the grounds within the Palace. Lush grass with beautiful trees, great for a nice stroll.
Coming back in the airport we were reminded how expensive Turkey was. As you will see in the photos, a value meal at Burger King is $15. Crazy!
Well, what matters most is that we had a wonderful week with our close friends Omar and Mira. They are great people and are going to make great parents to their soon expected daughter! Thanks for traveling with us guys.
The BIG Island, The BIG Waffles
So we decided to jump on a ferry once again, this time for 1.5 hours to the island of Buyuk Ada. This means “big island.” For the most part it reminded us of Mackinaw Island… only bikes are allowed, lots of summer homes, and great snacks like waffle sandwiches. Mira had remembered these from when she was here 6 years ago, and it was by far the highlight of the day for all of us! Basically it was a huge waffle with any kind of topping your heart desired. Then, they would fold it up allowing all of the chocolate, carmel, nutty, fruity yumminess to mix all together. Unfortunately, we were so caught up in this delight that none of us took a photo.
We walked around maybe a quarter of the island enjoying the outdoors and burning off the calories.
A Day By Land & Sea
Today our intention was to simply wonder the city. We knew we wanted to take a ride on a ferry but we were not sure where. Of course we could have taken the $20 guided tour but instead we chose the $1 ride that locals take everyday. This had us crossing the bay over into the Asian side of Turkey for a bite to eat and a little shopping.
The Blue Mosque, Cistern, and Aya Sophia
Today we wondered around the touristy part of Istanbul. We visited the Blue Mosque, the Yerebatan Cistern, and the Aya Sophia. I would say that the Cistern was definitely the highlight of the day. It was built around 550 A.D. to hold water for the city and was opened to the public less than 20 years ago
after undergoing renovations. It had a very romantic feel to it with cool mood lighting, goldfish swimming in the shallow water, and classical music playing softly.
We also spent a few hours at the Aya Sophia (originally built as a church, converted to a mosque and now is a museum). While the Blue Mosque may have more mosaics, because it is a working mosque you are limited as to where you can go. The Aya Sophia on the other hand is a museum with two floors to explore. The boys “explored” through their camera lenses, while the three girls “explored” with their imaginations which of course took longer. You will notice in our pictures the mixture of Christian and Islamic influences with crosses peeking out from behind Islamic paintings. It sparked an interesting conversation about whether or not this should be considered a representation of how the religions could coexist.
In between the sight-seeing and the picture taking and the crowd dodging, we of course had to take our favorite kind of break — a Starbucks, mocha break!
Istanbul & the Grand Bazaar
So here are the photos from our first day, ok first two days in Turkey. We slept half of the first day because we traveled during the night. This is our first trip with our real close friends Omar and Mira, so we are very excited. So far they still like us and the baby. Below are photos of us walking through the Grand Bazaar.
Unfortunately for the ladies, we found out that the Bazaar will be closed for the next 4 days for Eid. Ah, too bad! No shopping for 4 days… what will Omar and I do?
Our first impressions, we love it. Turkey is very European but still very much like the land we live in with the Arab influence, things are a bit more expensive than we would have liked, and everyone here is in awe of Amira… oh, yeah, and it’s cold, but that’s part of the fun after being in Kuwait!
Seeing Kuwait with a Different Set of Eyes
Paulo’s dad, Frank, and Karin’s mom, Hope, visited us — but mostly Amira — for about two weeks. They were able to get out a little and see the sites of Kuwait.
The Prince and Palace
One of Paulo’s students is the grandson of the former Amir and invited us all to visit the palace where he lives. We got a tour of the diwaniya where many foreign dignitaries and diplomats have visited. Abdullah explained the lives and reigns of the 7 amirs and a very extensive family tree. We also got to sit and drink tea and talk politics with Abdullah who has a real chance of becoming the Amir of Kuwait someday. It was an amazing, once-in-a-life-time experience!
Desert camping and smoking a Shisha
Abdullah, one of Paulo’s students invited us out to his family’s camp in the desert. We spent the day relaxing in the tent, drinking tea with milk and saffron, climbing one of the few geographical formations in Kuwait, and riding quads (four-wheelers).
Dad testing out the Gutra
Frank, Hope, Amira and Karin spent an afternoon shopping at the Heritage Market in downtown. Frank tried on a gutra and somehow we became a local attraction! A Kuwaiti gentleman stopped by and showed Frank how to properly put on the gutra. Apparently, it is a very detailed process. But doesn’t Frank look great!
Hanging with the Tatus in Kuwait
Our good friends Mike & Alicia Tatu visited us for an amazing weekend as part of their Middle Eastern honeymoon.
We enjoyed showing them around Kuwait, and they enjoyed the blend of the traditional and the modern. We visited the traditional Friday Market where we literally saw everything from rugs and clothes to an ostrich and the World’s Tallest Man to the kitchen sink and everything in between. We also enjoyed the modern pampering: Paulo and Mike got shaves, and Alicia and I treated ourselves to manicures and pedicures. It was just in time for me to have beautiful nails for Amira’s delivery.
They also enjoyed the variety in food. We had three different types of shawarmas, the best and most gourmet burgers in the world, and my personal favorite The Chocolate Bar. Their Peanut Butter Mouse Pie was the last thing I ate as a pregnant woman — and it was amazing! 
Mike and Alicia were with us when we made the 2:30 am drive to the hospital and hung out for the 12 hour labor. Unfortunately, their flight back to the States left exactly 10 minutes before Amira was born.
Christmas in Dubai
With our dear friends from the States, Brian and Brenda, we were able to enjoy a great week in Dubai. Located in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is a city beyond any other. With more sky scrappers being erected than you could imagine, Dubai’s standard is to be the best city in the world. If you have never heard about it you need to check it out!
Although we, and especially Brian, saw too much mall for one’s lifetime, we had a great time. Even with touring the city, eating shawarmas, and sand boarding, the company of friends visiting us was the highlight of the trip!
Oh Man… Oman
After getting our fix of the arab cosmopolitan lifestyle in Dubai, Paulo, Brian and Brenda left Karin (and Baby V) to journey into Oman. This is a country often unknown to westerners but definitely a hidden jewel! With its rich culture, beautiful scenery and laid-back lifestyle, one almost dreams of never leaving.
Here is a satellite photo of Oman for those of you who have no idea where we were. This is the land of the Queen of Persia, the burial place of Job, and where some say the wise men traveled from to see the baby Jesus.
Istanbul …Week without Walls
Going to Istanbul…Constantinople…this was the theme song for out last day of the trip. We explored the church-turned-mosque-turned-museum of Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and a quick trip to the famous Istanbul Covered Bazaar.
Sailing the Aegean …Week Without Walls
Days 5 – 7 were spent on three amazing sailboats traveling the coast around the city of Bodrum. The girls were on one boat and the boys were on two. Days were spent swimming, hiking and relaxing, and the nights were spent playing Mafia, testing their trivia knowledge from the week and sleeping up on deck. Even Karin managed a quick dip in the crystal, clear waters and a mud facial in a natural hot spring.
Exploring Ruins …Week Without Walls
On Day 1 we explored ancient ruins at Ephesus and Priene.
Leaving for Turkey …Week Without Walls
As part of the Grade 8 curriculum at ASK, the student have an opportunity to travel outside the school walls for a week (hence the name, Week Without Walls) and relate material learned inside the classroom to the real world.
Exploring the Streets Damascus
So, Paulo being the absolute “bestest” husband in the entire world let Karin take a weekend trip with her girlfriend Ashley to Syria. Of course the mission … shop! Here are some photo’s below from their Easter weekend trip!
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Lunch on the Arabian Gulf
Over the National Day/Liberation Day long weekend, we joined a group of about 30 for an afternoon sailing the Kuwaiti Harbor on a traditional fishing boat, Dhow. It was the one of the first nice, spring afternoon’s with the perfect mixture of sunshine and ocean breeze. The food and photo opportunities were fantastic!
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And then, there they were…
We thought we were on an excursion to find the Tank Graveyard (from the first Gulf War), but we never did find it. We did, however, find a herd of camels wandering the desert. There were probably about 30 camels, and we got some great pictures!
Beit Shemish, Israel …Road Trip Through The Middle East - Day 12, 13, 14
Our apologies are thoughts still need to added below… check back soon!
To be discussed…
Time with Family
Tel Aviv: Bus Station, Renting Car
Nap
Time with Lindbergs
Day 13 – More Borders – 1/11/06
Migraine
Bus
Which Bridge?!?
Get Car & Back at Toledo
Day 14 – The Long Road Home – 1/12/06
Back in 12 hours
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