FYI
Well, I have a feeling people may be checking my blog to check that Mark and I are intact, so here's a simple update.
We're fine. In fact, we're doing pretty darn well. We're in Edinburgh, Scotland visiting Nathan. We'll be here another week. It's gorgeous weather, we're being spoiled rotten, and generally not overexerting ourselves.
Today, Nathan's girlfriend, Ingrida, took Mark and me to the weekly farmers' market and then on to a French market that is on this weekend. The French market was, well, like the market I used to go to when I lived in France. We bought loads of fruit, veggies, fresh bread, pain au chocolat, cheese and saucisson - all from Frenchies. I was actually a bit surprised that the vendors were indeed French. I didn't expect that much, so it was handy I knew French :-)
Then we worked our way over to The Meadows, a lovely park, and made and ate our lovely lunch. I know, life is rough. Afterward, we came back to the flat, Mark took a nap and Ingrida and I did mud masks. So girly. So fun (oh, and I told her stories about Nathan as a kid, heeheehee). Now this is what I call a [well deserved, thank you very much] vacation!
Comments
Now this is a blog that brings tears even to my eyes! Please continue to enjoy your vacation,,,,,it sounds wondeful. I am sooooooo jealous......It's 3:30 pm and I'm sort of arousing after my nite shift last nite. Hmmmm.....lawn to mow and maybe a hard icecream from JAMS DELI. Y E S S S !!!!!!
Posted by: papa D | July 15, 2006 11:56 PM
I must say, as I heard the news about Lebanon and Israel and Haifa on Thursday (we are a day late over here), my heart was in my mouth. The only thing that kept me from panicing was knowing that you were in Edinbourgh. On Friday NPR started their news hour with just the sound of rockets whistling through the air and exploding. I knew it was Israel and was almost sick to my stomach with anxiety. I bet poor Rose and Gus are fit to be tied. I hope you have called them to reassure them. As best you can. I don't even care who is right and who is wrong; I just want you to be safe.
Posted by: ma | July 16, 2006 4:04 PM
I know. We want to be safe, too. And yes, we called Rose and Gus - though we haven't been able to do anything more than leave a message.
Posted by: Mara | July 16, 2006 4:12 PM
phew, glad you and mark are safe in SCOTLAND, =)
Posted by: jamal | July 16, 2006 11:45 PM
we're safe here as well!
love you, mara and mark.
looking forward to seeing you in calmer social climes.
love from leila
Posted by: leila | July 17, 2006 1:56 PM
Okay, my anxiety is not really abated. I heard from the grapevine that "they" are not letting people back into Haifa. So, are you going to able to get back in? When are you planning to go back? I mean, I know you have to, and I expect you to, but . . . ? I think I need to talk to you on the phone.
Posted by: Ma | July 17, 2006 5:13 PM
Who is 'they'? Who isn't letting who into Haifa? The airport is open, sheruts are running - though I imagine the train system (unfortunately the cheapest and most comfortable way to travel) is either inoperable or to-be-avoided.
We're sitting, waiting and watching the news like everyone else. And if we have to, we'll check with the appropriate people as to how to proceed.
Posted by: Mara | July 17, 2006 6:18 PM
Glad to read your blog. I was checking (like you guessed) for updates and worried about you guys. Good to hear you're well. I'm at Hec's house in Zaragoza visiting, and of course, am reminded of you, since we were here together when you visited Spain. Miss you guys!
k :o)
Posted by: Krisia | July 19, 2006 12:51 PM
Well, I don't really know who 'they' are. Gramma told me that Claire (her friend in California who is blind and so can't see to put the batteries in her hearing aids) called and said 'they weren't letting people in Haifa.' If this was after the train station was hit, maybe she meant Hezbullah? But I really do think she said this before the train station incident. Or, at least, before I heard about it. Who knows? I did mention that I heard it on the grapevine. This is how gossip grows and feeds pre-existing biases.
Posted by: Ma | July 19, 2006 5:04 PM
Skylor is concerned about you guys. I can drop you his email address if you want to send him a message.
Posted by: Mendon | July 19, 2006 5:31 PM
We're still in Edinburgh. Just let him know we're safe and so are all our friends in Haifa.
Posted by: Mara | July 19, 2006 8:43 PM
Mara, I'm so glad to hear that you and Mark are well and SAFE. J and I switched internet services, and I never copied my old address book before we did. Consequently, I completely lost touch because I have no one's e-mail addresses, etc. I mean, it's not like I live five minutes from your parents and could have just made a phonecall, right?!?! Blah, blah, blah... Whatever, it doesn't matter now. All the matters is that you two are safe. Like your mother, though, my anxiety is not really abated either. You and Mark are in our prayers. Be safe.
Posted by: Tricia | July 20, 2006 3:28 AM