What an eventful two months in Israel. Here are a few highlights of many days of beautiful sunny warm weather, with winter only coming in the last days of December – but with a real chilling touch. Haifa knows only one kind of rain: the torrential drowning kind!
Firstly, it is very strange to live in a country where there is no lead up to Christmas – this caught us completely by surprise and so apologies for all those dear friends who did not receive greetings for the new year. Allan had lots of jam donuts for Hanukah but missed the beautiful Chrissy fruit cakes sold by the Lions Club, ah!!!
Our son Munib came for a very short visit at the end of December and worked in the Office with Allan. While here, he met Dr. Varqá, one of the wonderful Bahá’ís living in Haifa – at 94 he has an amazing memory and he has a great love for all the wonderful staff here, and the many pilgrims who visit. Dr. Varqa has served the Baha'i Faith unremittingly for all his life and has seen it unfold and grow into a world-embracing Faith; he has a great wealth of inspiring stories to share. This is a photo of Munib with Dr. Varqa in his Office.
We took Munib fruit picking at a garden near Akka called “Ridvan” (means paradise) and though it was very cold, it was truly heavenly. There were orchards and avenues of citrus trees so laden with fruit – so many varieties of oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons and pomellos. We have not seen so many shades of orange outside a fabric shop! Muna has already made a couple of batches of marmalade, and there are still many more empty jars to fill; they make nice gifts for our friends, some of whom helped in a recent working bee.
We seem to be going chronologically backwards, so into November and a “memorable” few days holiday in Turkey, of which the less said the better. An unseasonable cold snap came through which resulted in pouring rain and snow in early November. Added to this there was a luggage strike in Israel so we had no luggage on arrival, but the weeks after we left had magnificent weather. Of course, Muna skidded on the ice and fell and hurt her knee so became intimately familiar with out hotel room! It was really nice though for Muna to catch up with her brother Jim, who came over from Jordan to see us.
A celebration of our 26th wedding anniversary also took place at the end of November (oops, chronology going off the rails again!). Allan organised a surprise party for Muna (you know how much she loves surprises!!!) and all our North American friends had a lesson in how and why Aussies do not open their mouth to speak. Lots of fun and laughter and a lovely dinner.
The three members of the International Board, who work closely with Allan, arrived back in town in December (that’s it, I give up on the chronology of this narrative!) and had several days of meetings. A lovely dinner at the Hencks one evening gave a couple of youth a chance to join these amazingly capable individuals.
Allan continues to hold regular classes for the staff serving at the Bahá’í World Centre and this photo shows his high tech approach to PowerPoint. Such a huge change from the wonderful gadgetry he used to travel the world with – no doubt his former work colleagues will get a great laugh out of this photo. The classes are a great source of satisfaction and an effective means of meeting the many staff from 85 countries.November was also the time that we went south with 4 other couples to Masada and the Dead Sea for a bit of R&R. It was perfect weather for the climb to the top of this moutain fortress where 450 Jews held off the legions of Rome for some years. Finally when the Romans broke through the fortress walls, all 450 were dead - killed by common agreement - lots were drawn to decide who would do the deed. It has become a symbol of Jewish resistance. On the way we saw wild camels traversing the steep hillside on narrow paths. it is amazing how such a desolate and barren spot can be so beautiful!Unfortuneately the Dead Sea is drying up and receding - it has received a lot of international media attention in recent months - but that makes a great "Danger of Drowning" photo - it gives you an idea of the extent of the issue. The black mud is supposed to be good for your skin and make you beautiful so Allan went all out (Muna says therecan never be enough mud for that!!!)- and followed it by a relaxing spa in sulphur saturated water that bubbles up from the centre of the earth.
So, although we did not get around to sending seasonal cards and greetings, we do wish each one of you, a very joyful, healthy and satisfying 2007 and may it pass a little bit slower than 2006!
