At last, all the staff of DCS has arrived in Syria! We started school 9 days late, and had to have a few subs, but the first week went well. Initially I thought I was going to have to teach a high school psych class, but that teacher made it in time.
Last night (Thursday) we had a Welcome Back party at our director, John's, house. It was the first time we had a chance to meet the returning teachers and the first time that we were all together as a staff. It was also the first time I had Mexican food in Syria, and it was soooo good. Afterwards a group of went to the Marine House (Bar) and had some drinks and played pool and Foosball. I seriously lack in any Foosball skills-how sad is that?!
Today has been a lazy day. I went to church this morning then came home and took a nap. I woke up and watch The Sound of Music (yes the REAL one) then came to school to call Laura and Mom. I hope you didn't get in trouble Laura!! Fridays are pretty quite since most of the stores are closed. There is a nice Christian shop on the way home from church that is open. They have the widest range of alcohol that I've seen, but I feel really wrong buying booze on my way home from church!!
Tomorrow my friend, Meg, and I are going to Cham Center, a big shopping center. I have a long list of things to get, including a vacuum. I hear it has the best super market in Damascus. I'll let you know. Shopping is always an adventure here. So far I've figured out what the purpose of most products are, but there are a few things I'm unsure about. I also bought a new camera this week so look for some pictures and, possibly, video in the next week!
Thanks for all the comments! It's great to hear from everyone back home.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Daily life
Well, life is starting to feel pretty normal now. I am establishing all
the little routines like going to work, working out, shopping. I love
walking to work in the morning. The streets are pretty quiet becauseSyrians
tend to stay up late and sleep in late, so it's usually a few men
washing cars, the guards, and me. The guards all recognize me and we
always exchange pleasantries. It's good to be nice to the men holding
AK47s!
School starts tomorrow! The maintenance crew has done an
amazing job with the school grounds. I wish I had a before and after
picture. It is really had to keep things looking new and clean in such
a hot, dry climate.
Somehow Meg and I got signed up to lead worship at church on Friday (that's when we have it since
Sunday is a workday here). I guess people were happy that we could sing
and speak English clearly. Bless their hearts, but the Filipino women
who are singing now are very difficult to understand, and none of us
are quite sure which song we are singing (even after they start)! Our
little church is called All-Saints of Damascus. It's very small, and
doesn't have a minister right now. The past minister was American, and
couldn't renew his visa anymore. They have ministers who want to come,
but they live in "Occupied Palestine" (or Israel as we know it)and are
not able to come to Syria.
Make sure to leave a comment! I am having them sent to my email address now-the site is blocked, but I got around that!
the little routines like going to work, working out, shopping. I love
walking to work in the morning. The streets are pretty quiet becauseSyrians
tend to stay up late and sleep in late, so it's usually a few men
washing cars, the guards, and me. The guards all recognize me and we
always exchange pleasantries. It's good to be nice to the men holding
AK47s!
School starts tomorrow! The maintenance crew has done an
amazing job with the school grounds. I wish I had a before and after
picture. It is really had to keep things looking new and clean in such
a hot, dry climate.
Somehow Meg and I got signed up to lead worship at church on Friday (that's when we have it since
Sunday is a workday here). I guess people were happy that we could sing
and speak English clearly. Bless their hearts, but the Filipino women
who are singing now are very difficult to understand, and none of us
are quite sure which song we are singing (even after they start)! Our
little church is called All-Saints of Damascus. It's very small, and
doesn't have a minister right now. The past minister was American, and
couldn't renew his visa anymore. They have ministers who want to come,
but they live in "Occupied Palestine" (or Israel as we know it)and are
not able to come to Syria.
Make sure to leave a comment! I am having them sent to my email address now-the site is blocked, but I got around that!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Bludan
Yesterday we (all 33 of us) took a charter bus to the city of Bludan which is Northwest of Damscus, in the AntiLebanon mountains. We ate at a wondeful restaurant that had a spring running through it. It had nice canvas canopies to keep the sun off, and it was so nice and cool. They served us TONS of great, Syrian food. We had so much, that when the brought dessert (fruit) they put it on the two table next to us, and we moved to the other tables. There simply wasn't room at our tables. I don't think I've ever been served quite so much food! I tried almost everything-hommos, taboola, baaba ghanooj, tahina,chicken, lamb-except the raw lamb (I don't know what it's called here)!
Can you find me in the pictures? Look on the right side half way down the table! The stand on the left that looks like a tin can is actually called "Hubbly, Bubbly". It's has a little bit of tobacco with a lot of flavoring, such as apple, rose, strawberry, and people smoke it. It's all the rage right now, and you see people having a hubbly bubbly after meals or with coffee. It isn't obnoxious like cigarette smoke unless you are in a tiny cafe and everyone is doing it.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Keeping Tabs
I am on Shutterfly. If you'd like to see my pictures, you can log on using my email address (chagnesinsyria@yahoo.com) with a password seechannin. My friend, Megan, was kind enough to forward some photos she's taken in the neighborhood, so there's some pictures taken here, even though I don't have a digi cam yet!
Today I bought a rug! Carol, a teacher who has been here 15 years, took a few of us to a wonderful rug dealer, Elias, down in the Christian Quarter of Old Damscus. He had some of the most beautiful rugs, so if someone could lend me $5,000, I'll get the one I really wanted. I got a nice, big, beautiful rug with white and blue. It makes the house feel much warmer since all the floors are marble. I have been working hard in my "garden" to get the fountain and lights cleaned. They turn the main water supply off at 4 pm, (which I didn't know) so I haven't filled my fountain yet. I thought the lights were all tin, but when I started cleaning them, I realized there ware glass panels that were just filthy. The one I finished actually looks really nice. Any advice on growing jasmine?
Today we are going to the commisary at the Embassy. I don't know if I'll join since we can get most everything in the Souke or at the shopping center. I would like to get oatmeal and Slenda! Not sure if it's work $100 membership fee.
Today I bought a rug! Carol, a teacher who has been here 15 years, took a few of us to a wonderful rug dealer, Elias, down in the Christian Quarter of Old Damscus. He had some of the most beautiful rugs, so if someone could lend me $5,000, I'll get the one I really wanted. I got a nice, big, beautiful rug with white and blue. It makes the house feel much warmer since all the floors are marble. I have been working hard in my "garden" to get the fountain and lights cleaned. They turn the main water supply off at 4 pm, (which I didn't know) so I haven't filled my fountain yet. I thought the lights were all tin, but when I started cleaning them, I realized there ware glass panels that were just filthy. The one I finished actually looks really nice. Any advice on growing jasmine?
Today we are going to the commisary at the Embassy. I don't know if I'll join since we can get most everything in the Souke or at the shopping center. I would like to get oatmeal and Slenda! Not sure if it's work $100 membership fee.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Mosque
This is the Omayyad Mosque in Old Damascus.
Right now I am unable to check postings, but please keep writing, I'll be able to get them eventually!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The Road to Damascus
After two very long, but uneventful days of travel, I have arrived in Syria. There is so much to tell about that I don't even know where to start!
THE CITY-Damascus has about 3 million people, and it is very busy and crowded. The traffic is insane with cars weaving every which way, people clinging on the back of trucks, no carseats, gawdy buses painted every color and adorned with mirrors, and the occasional horse and cart. The funny thing is, nobody seems to be stressed and I haven't seen an accident! We went to the Old City to the Souke or market. We visited the mosque, but since I don't have my book with me, I can't tell you the name. We went down the road called Straight to the house of Ananias. I'm sure when Paul was there, the 1970 Cadillac was not parked on the street!
MY HOUSE-It's big, about 1,500 sq feet with high ceilings. The furniture in my bedroom is huge and white lacquered. Nice. From what I've seen, I scored with the aparments. I have 1 1/2 baths (yes, Chad I do have a toilet, two infact), 2 bedrooms, a dining room, living room, kitchen, and 2 verandas with fountains. One is in front on the street, so I don't really use it, but I am going to get the fountain in the back going and try to revive the jasmine and palm trees.
THE SCHOOL-Talk about security! The school really is a compound with a security door and turn stiles. Once inside it is like a little college. There is a nice gym that I used last night after I locked myself out and had to wait for the key!My classroom is small, but very well equiped. Of course, I will only have 5-6 kids at a time, so the size isn't important.
SYRIANS-The people here are so friendly and easy-going. Some of the other teachers have taught in Qatar and Saudie and even they are shocked.
SHOPPING-Whoever told me that products were hard to get here, lied! I even found Tide and Downy, Laughing Cow cheese, and Kraft mayo (alas, no Best Foods). I live right by the Guess store, and can't wait to go in there. My neighborhood has lots of shops, cafes, spas, hairdressers. Yes, I already found a hairdresser-my #1 priority!
Lots of love to all!!!!!!
THE CITY-Damascus has about 3 million people, and it is very busy and crowded. The traffic is insane with cars weaving every which way, people clinging on the back of trucks, no carseats, gawdy buses painted every color and adorned with mirrors, and the occasional horse and cart. The funny thing is, nobody seems to be stressed and I haven't seen an accident! We went to the Old City to the Souke or market. We visited the mosque, but since I don't have my book with me, I can't tell you the name. We went down the road called Straight to the house of Ananias. I'm sure when Paul was there, the 1970 Cadillac was not parked on the street!
MY HOUSE-It's big, about 1,500 sq feet with high ceilings. The furniture in my bedroom is huge and white lacquered. Nice. From what I've seen, I scored with the aparments. I have 1 1/2 baths (yes, Chad I do have a toilet, two infact), 2 bedrooms, a dining room, living room, kitchen, and 2 verandas with fountains. One is in front on the street, so I don't really use it, but I am going to get the fountain in the back going and try to revive the jasmine and palm trees.
THE SCHOOL-Talk about security! The school really is a compound with a security door and turn stiles. Once inside it is like a little college. There is a nice gym that I used last night after I locked myself out and had to wait for the key!My classroom is small, but very well equiped. Of course, I will only have 5-6 kids at a time, so the size isn't important.
SYRIANS-The people here are so friendly and easy-going. Some of the other teachers have taught in Qatar and Saudie and even they are shocked.
SHOPPING-Whoever told me that products were hard to get here, lied! I even found Tide and Downy, Laughing Cow cheese, and Kraft mayo (alas, no Best Foods). I live right by the Guess store, and can't wait to go in there. My neighborhood has lots of shops, cafes, spas, hairdressers. Yes, I already found a hairdresser-my #1 priority!
Lots of love to all!!!!!!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
The Countdown
My wonderful family and friends helped my move out of my apartment, and my belongings are safely stowed in an undisclosed location in Eastern Oregon. All went smoothly until Butch and Penny hit Baker County and their truck (with all my stuff) broke down! They had to be towed into Baker, and Butch spent the better half of the morning trying to put a belt in the truck. Their help and generosity is great appreciated!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)