Time has been transformed, and we have changed; it has advanced and set us in motion; it has unveiled its face, inspiring us with bewilderment and exhilaration. --Kahlil Gibran
Another new year is upon us. How did it happen so quickly? I'm almost sure we were just doing this about six weeks ago! Time passes whether or not we notice it and if we aren't careful it will pass us by completely.
This year, 2010, was filled with joy tinged with sadness. There was great happiness with a stain of guilt. New friends came and brought warmth and acceptance, but family and old friends are missed. I have the sense of belonging at last, really belonging but I still miss the close proximity of the ones I left behind. No one is more missed than my sister. She has always been there for me and encouraged me at every step. Still I can't help feeling I abandoned her. My parents, thank God are still with us and I miss them more than I ever imagined.
The new year, 2011, is filled with hope and promise. I am traveling completely new roads, teaching English as a Second Language, building a fledgling tourist company that had just begun to show promise at the end of the high season. Inshallah, the new year will see it increase exponentially.
I have seen so many places. I've walked in the footsteps of history, and yet there is still so much to see and even more to learn.
I want to take this moment of reflection to thank everyone who has followed me on this blog. When I experience new adventures it is you I am thinking of. Each moment my mind is deciding how to tell you, Constant Reader, about it. Every picture is snapped with the perspective of showing you what I am seeing in the hope of kindling in you the same excitement I am feeling. I hope you will continue to follow our adventures and provide me with feedback by leaving comments. Feel free to use the comments section to ask questions, should you have any, or make suggestions.
I am exhilarated and bewildered...
Happy New Year to my Family and friends!
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| Stele at Baptism Site of Jesus Christ |
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| Path to Baptism Site |
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| Orthodox Church at Baptism Site |
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| Same church, different view |
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| Kebab and coffee, Ajlun |
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| Kebab and chicken, Ajlun |
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| Abood, Jim, Abu Yusef, Ajlun |
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| Ajlun National Preserve |
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| Souq in Damascus |
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| Mosque entrance, Damascus |
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| Mosque, Damascus |
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| Interior of Mosque, Damascus |
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| Interior of Mosque, Damascus |
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| Tomb of St John the Baptist, Damascus |
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| Your intrepid guides, Damascus |
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| Jim, Zeek, Ayoub, dinner in Damascus |
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| Amra castle, Jordan |
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| Amra castle, Jordan |
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| Mural on one ceiling, Amra |
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| Mural in Amra |
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| Amra |
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| Amra |
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| Tent near the castle |
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| Books@Cafe, Rainbow Street, Amman |
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| Reputed to be the best falafel in all of Jordan |
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| Shara al Rainbow - Rainbow Street, Amman |
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| Rainbow Cinema, for which the street was named |
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| Souq Jara, flea market every Friday |
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| Inside Souq Jara |
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| Three wooden windows, Rainbow Street, Amman |
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| Thanksgiving 2010 |
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| Snow, December 2010 |
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| Street view of snow 2010 |
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| Kitty at Petra |
