More Paris

Paris Photos

Hello to my dear family and friends,

As promised, here is photo album #2, of our great trip to Paris. Rick took over 600 pictures, so it's very hard to choose!

My love to all, Lynn

Canasta Anyone?

Hello All,

I admit to being a little "down" this week, after returning to the desert from the lovely city of Paris. So, the therapy is always to count my blessings, and remember that there are many wonderful people in my life, and much to look forward to . Rick is doing so very well here, and I am very thankful for his job, and the fact that he likes the challenges that are before him each day. After the former busyness of my life as a teacher, this slow pace is hard, and I struggle with the quiet of some days here. So, each opportunity to get out, and meet new ladies is wonderful.

I have learned to play the "real" game of Canasta, and the group of women I play cards with is very multicultural. Some have experienced many overseas assignments, and they say Libya is the hardest of all. I believe the restrictions placed on us as women here contribute to this perception, the challenging language barrier, the lack of freedom to drive, or get out on our own, and the tremendous cultural differences, all play a part in the opinion that this is indeed a tough assignment. It helps to share with each other, to listen and laugh together. Every one is trying to make the best of things here, and reach out. This becomes essential if you live overseas, you no longer have the luxury of staying to yourself, the need for community is too overwhelming and important. Canasta is only our "excuse" to get together once a week, a lifeline. And, I am so thankful for it !! Sending love to one and all, Lynn

PS More Paris Albums later, promise !

Paris Photo Album #1

Paris Photo Album # 1

Ok, I have no idea how Rick just created this first Flickr album, but here it is. We walked to the Luxembourg Palace, and found the most beautiful gardens as well. I think some of our most memorable moments happened just like that, quite by accident, we would discover the most gorgeous places. I remember reading that Paris is all about its sweeping boulevards and intimate lanes, a very good way to describe what we experienced there. Huge overwhelming views of the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Seine, then to contrast, a simple vine covered, very French home, its balcony full of flowers. Enjoy! There will be more to come. Love to all, Lynn

Thoughts on Paris

Hello,

Rick is really showing me up on the blog right now. I promise I will improve when I return to my slower paced life in Tripoli this week, and I can finally process this past week.

French people are wonderful, I think, very full of life, and most seem appreciative of this extraordinary city they live in. Espresso coffee to die for, pastries which can put pounds on you just by looking at them, lovely restaurants, like Le Poulbot, where Rick and I ate last night, so tiny, yet the food was absolutely delicious. There are restaurants like that everywhere you look. We have walked through the most incredible little parks, and gardens artistically planted. I love the open fruit stands on every street, and the women dressed from very casual to "tres chic",all with scarves around their necks, and interesting shoes. Everywhere are couples kissing, and romance. It has been an experience I will always remember.

So my dear family and friends, au revoir for now, love to all, Lynn

Hi from Paris,

We’ve had some internet difficulties since we arrived on Friday, so this is my first blog from Paris. Wow, is all I can say!! This beautiful city has surpassed all of my expectations. I love the pastries , musicians, flowers, and excellent small local restaurants. First we visited the incredible Sacre Coeur Cathedral, which overlooks the entire city. A band from Mexico entertained the crowds near the cathedral, playing La Bamba! Rick wanted me to climb up the stairs to the dome with him. Most of you who know me, know that I really struggle with heights. It was scary. I did get a kick out of all of the gargoyles on the outside of the churches whose faces reflect how I’m feeling when I climb way up high with my fearless husband!

On Saturday, we ventured into the city to walk down Champs d’Elysees, definitely the most gorgeous street I have ever strolled down. You could definitely shop until you dropped, even a Starbucks, the largest one I have ever seen. We enjoyed seeing the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tour too.What a day! Rick snapped pictures and more pictures. I made him delete a few of me !! I studied French in High School and it’s been such fun, and frustrating too, for me to try and put together the vocabulary that I remember from so long ago .

Yesterday we took the metro to Ile de la Cite and saw Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame. Just when I think I have seen the most gorgeous, memorable cathedral, there are two more! There are really no words adequate to describe these two amazing structures. It’s impossible to wrap my mind around the artistic gifts that some people have, statues, paintings, tapestries, all are incredible examples of God given talents.

Today, the Louvre !! Rick and I literally walked our feet off, trying to see as many of the exhibits as we could before we got too exhausted to enjoy it. The Louvre is beyond description, Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, were only two of so many amazing works of art. Now I understand what my daughter and my mother tried to tell me, and were unable, as I am, to find the right words. So friends, I am blessed to be in this wonderful city with my sweet husband, celebrating our 33 years of marriage! Pictures to come later, much love to all, Lynn

Iftar at the Ambassador's Residence

Hi Everyone,

Very fascinating evening at the residence of "His Excellency Gene Cretz, the Ambassador of the United States of America", full title he was referred to as last night. The Iftar celebrates the end of the fast every day, and follows a time of prayer each evening. Fast is broken traditionally with milk and dates first, then prayer follows for every Muslim, then a large meal after that. The Ambassador spoke first, in English, then in Arabic for all of the Libyan guests, then an older Libyan man spoke, fluently in English, then a recording of President Obama was played !! Every speaker repeated the desire that Americans and Libyans learn to understand one another, and respect each other. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience for me. Rick recorded the recitation of a portion of the Quran, sung by a young man with a beautiful voice, and we did take some pictures, so we'll post those at a later date. Rick had his picture taken with the ambassador also, exciting !! Another late night as the end of Ramadan is approaching. They have two more days of fasting, and at sundown tomorrow, Ramadan will be over !! Every Libyan is looking forward to the Eid celebration which begins on Saturday. Rick and I will, however, be enjoying our week in Paris, so I will try to blog while I am there. Much love to each of you, I miss you, Lynn

Breaking Fast Celebration and American Embassy

Hello from Libya,

Tonight, I will be attending the "breaking fast" evening meal at the home of a Libyan man who works for Rick's company. I was invited by a friend who lives at the guesthouse with us. She actually works with this gentleman who has included us in his family's meal. I am excited to have this experience, and look forward to telling more about it in a future blog. Ramadan is drawing to a close, on Saturday, then three days of celebrating, feasting and gift giving will begin, called Eid. The entire country will be on holiday, and many expats will leave and take this opportunity to travel. Rick and I are going to Paris, our first trip to France. We can't wait until Friday !!

Tomorrow night we have another treat, an invitation to the residence of the American Ambassador for an "Iftar to celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan". The Iftar will be followed by a buffet reception. A young couple who goes to our church invited us. I have no idea what to expect, so I'll let you know about this in a later blog. Of course, if I can take pictures I will, but pictures are often not allowed because of the customs with regards to women. Anyway, just wanted to share my upcoming "social" life. My love to each of you, Lynn

Friday Night in Green Square

Hi Everyone,

Last night, Rick and I experienced downtown Tripoli on a Friday night. Unbelievable ! We were told that many of the shops would not be open until around 10:00PM, and they were right. Incredible numbers of people out with their children, coffee shops are open, and all of the lights were lit up, just like Christmas in the states. Rick is going to post a video of all the "action" on his blog trip2tripoli.blogspot.com. Our driver even had some great American music on in the background too. We were with our friends from San Antonio, Juan and Gloria. Such a cute, fun, couple that God Himself has given us to pal around with. We are so thankful for this new friendship, and the joy it brings us.

The Libyan people have one more week of Ramadan, then the fast will break with a three day celebration, feasting, and parties, very similar to our Christmas season. One of my driver friends says everyone gets new clothes for the occasion, so this week people will be out in droves preparing for that. The end of Ramadan coincides with the end of the lunar cycle. We took some great pictures of the downtown are, enjoyed one of the local coffee bars, and a great cappuccino, and bought a few things at a local shop, including a rug made by Libyan women in Mizrata. It has my favorite, camels, on it.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our Friday night adventure. Miss you all, and love each of you so very much, Lynn

Rain in Libya!!

Hi All,

Today it is rainy in Tripoli, first rain I've seen since I arrived. I really couldn't believe my eyes when the drops began to fall. Every day has been exactly the same here, sunny and dry. Today, the sky is grey, lots of clouds and rain. Such a nice change ...

I'm really excited to see what the palm trees look like without their usual layer of dust, it'll probably look a lot greener around here tomorrow.

A couple of oddities, the toilet tissue is awful, some would say it is similar to crepe paper. I agree. Enough about that. I have found just one thing that I can't tolerate here, the meat markets. All have heads hanging in the windows to let everyone know what is fresh that day. Yuk! OK, I've had my say about those two things, you won't hear about them again.

Hope all is well with each of you, I miss you all and send my love all the way across the ocean, Lynn

Church and the Choir

As promised, I am posting a picture of our church here in Tripoli, Church of Christ the King, an Anglican Episcopal church. I have mentioned the choir several times, so Rick and I took a very quiet video during their song this past Friday morning. It was a beautiful song called "Hold Me Close". The man I love to watch is on the far left of the video, that smile lights up the whole room!!

Also, one picture of the outside of the church, very old, Spanish architecture. We listened to a sermon on doubt, and how to deal with doubt. Trusting God is so hard to do, and I pray for the strength to trust Him every day that we are here. He does have good plans for each of us, "plans to give us hope and a future." I'm so thankful that we have a church family here to worship with each week. Wanted to share them with you.

Also, on Friday night, we attended another company party. Due to Ramadan, and the breaking of the daily fast which occurs between 7:30 and 8:00, then the hour of prayer which follows, the party did not begin until 9:30, and we rolled into bed at 1:30 AM. I felt like I was in college again keeping late hours. We had a lot of fun, there was a group of musicians who played instruments, and danced, actually twirled around and around. One got so dizzy, he fell to the ground !! On the way home, we got into the worst traffic nightmare. All of Libya it seemed was shopping at 1:00 AM, and the streets were packed. We're talking tiny babies to older people were out, just like it was the middle of the day. I've never seen so many people. Day becomes night here during Ramadan.

My love to each of you, Lynn

Friday in Tripoli

Hi Everyone,

Well, I haven't blogged in a few days, sort of a weird week with the holidays, etc. I did have an interview at the American School of Tripoli on Wednesday. I enjoyed seeing the school, housed in two villas with the elementary campus in small buildings on the side. My teaching buddies from home would have loved the experience as I did. I would very much like to tutor or volunteer while I am here. Most of you know that I love spending time with children of all ages, and am so used to getting up every morning and going to school. My heart will always be with children, and teaching in some capacity. The director of the school is from California, and has helped the school grow from 30 kids to 150, from preschool to high school. It was an interesting experience, and we'll see where God takes me from here.

Also, I had a great time yesterday with 5 other ladies at a luncheon, the largest group we have had so far. It's fascinating to sit with ladies from all over the world, and have conversations about where they have lived, and of course, their families. Women seem to always gravitate to talking about their children, and grandchildren. Each is feeling much the same as I do, happy to be here with their husband, needing to share in this experience, but missing home, family, and friends so very much. We all need one another, and the sharing. I am thankful that others are here, and that God has provided them for me, during our stay in Tripoli.

Today we are off to church, to lunch, playing cards at Guesthouse 2, and a late party tonight hosted by our partner company. I'll take pictures of our church today to post. All my love, sweet family and friends, Lynn