Foiled. Again.
No. Seriously. We have postponed our flight, again. This time it is because of the situtation in UK (I'm sorry, travel without a book or water? Hmm...). You can get the story at the BBC.
This makes two strikes. The first time we were supposed to fly was 13 July, and now again today. Nathan says "it's like someone is trying to tell you something". Sorry, Nae, either way, I'm pretty sure we're not staying in Scotland forever.
In other news, we took a trip to London recently. We stayed with the lovely Vince and Manijeh, went to Shoghi Effendi's gravesite, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, Green Park, and, the piece de resistance for me, the Royal Gallery of Art to see an exhibition on Modigliani, whom I loooove. I got home and promptly got super sick with what we suspect was food poisoning, though from what I'm not sure.
An extra super huge thanks to Vince and Manijeh, who not only let us come and stay with them, but allowed us to bring a houseguest (Mel), and when she returned to Glasgow, allowed us to switch in Ksenia. Mel and Ksenia never met, but as I was dropping Mel off at the bus station, Mark waited for Ksenia at the underground (all part of the same station though, heheh). In addition - yes, there's more! - they drove us out to Oxford on Saturday, and we spent a lovely day there as well.
Anywho, I'm recovering. Yesterday we went to see an exhibition by Ron Mueck here in Scotland. Haven't heard of him? Click on the link! Very cool. Then we had a beautiful 'farewell' dinner in the evening, at which loads of fun was had. And well, I guess we can do it again next week - hahahaha!
Once Nathhan downloads the pictures, you will be able to see rapturous pictures of such things as Mark eating a deep-fried Mars bars. No seriously. I'm not kidding. Ugh.
Comments
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA YES!!!!! terrorism in British airports and the middle east are terrible things but its working out so well for me!
you're brothers right, you're staying in the land of deepfriedmarsbars forever. Liam
Posted by: Liam Keenan | August 10, 2006 2:18 PM
i love the use of the word "rapturous". and things are fairly sombre around here. i mean, sure, bellies are swelling with bebbies, but then people are leaving willy nilly (just in the normal course of events, but it feels like a deluge), including PAT MYERS. who has health issues. i'm so sad. it was far too emotional a morning for me.
with love from leial
Posted by: leila | August 10, 2006 6:55 PM
I would invite you to come and stay with us the yorkshire countryside but I happen to have a field full of youth all of next week - otherwise you could have extended your tour of the UK
Posted by: Helen | August 10, 2006 8:29 PM
Thanks, Helen!
Leila - please write me and update me about Pat ASAP!! If nothing else, I want ways to contact her and Don when they leave. They're pretty important to me - and I know they have a fondness for my parents as well.
Posted by: Mara | August 10, 2006 8:46 PM
mara-jan,
because of health reasons, pat is leaving next week. as soon as i have contact stuff for them, i PROMISE i'll send it to you. she is so important to me, too. i don't want to sign her book because i'm sure i'll get it all wet. they are SUPER busy right now, but i'm sure they won't forget to stay in contact.
love love
love from leial
Posted by: leila | August 10, 2006 8:52 PM
I can do without Ron Mueck arte...Not into disfigured or even real nudes. Healthcare does that to one...
Glad you had a nice trip...need to watch what you eat more I'd say. Tho' hard to know sometimes. I hope Nathan is doing okay with this new situation. It's just over a week tho'. Then he'll miss you terribly I expect. I am praying for your safe passages to Haifa and here soon. The weather is finally cooling off. We are in high 70's and low 80's during the day and in the low 60's at nite so it is very pleasant to go outside and to sleep at nite. Another few weeks and we will be even more into a fall-like mode and kids back in school and such. We are about to have lots of tomatoes and eggplants all at once. The tomatoes are really nice with fresh basil and olive oil. The eggplants will be great on the grill. Mendon and Kristen will be back here in September sometime too.
love papa
Posted by: papa D | August 11, 2006 3:14 AM
Mara: It's Tanya. I've been trying to find a way to reach you and Mark for some time now. Mark's mom gave me your family's web site. I'm so glad that you're all right. If you wouldn't mind, please ask Mark to email me when he has time. Thank you!
Posted by: Tanya T. Wilson | August 11, 2006 9:27 AM
Hi. Can't believe what's happening with flights at the moment! Still maybe you will get to see Inder in one of his performances at the Festival?
We got sick too - was Ksenia OK?
Speak soon,
Manijeh
Posted by: Manijeh | August 11, 2006 12:14 PM
You were sick, too? Hmm, now this is suspicious. Actually, it makes it more likely that it was food poisoning - what did we do to ourselves?!
Tanya! Of course. Will do. (I didn't even realize Mark's parents had this web site - hahaha).
Posted by: Mara | August 11, 2006 1:25 PM
Hey Mara,
Glad to read about all your adventures. I have a friend in Singapore who set up this little stall selling fried fish, chips calamari etc. and one of the desserts they sell is Fried Mars Bars with ice-cream. haven't tried it but I'll do it next time. It seems to be a favourite, actually. lots of people were ordering that. Enjoy yourselves :)
Posted by: sweec | August 13, 2006 11:52 AM