Graduation Party 2020

The day after Karis' birthday, the country was put on a mandatory 72-hour lockdown, and Kylie's graduation party was 6 days away. After 72-hours, I guess the government decided that was enough for a little while, because after that, there wasn't another lockdown for six whole days!

So, on May 28, 2020, we celebrated Kylie.

 We printed some of her artwork and hung it on the wall, and after the party, people started asking if they could buy some of it, so she actually made quite a few sales that night and took orders for future projects.

My one snafu was the cake/cakes.  I knew which cake in town Kylie liked best, and I THOUGHT I knew where it was made, but I should have known better when I had to explain a L.O.N.G. time to get what I thought was the right one (and of course, they spelled "congratulations" wrong).

I called someone who had ordered it before and asked where to get the cake (which is what I should have done in the first place because cakes aren't cheap!), and she told me.

So, now I had two cakes on order for the party, which I guess wasn't too bad, since 34 people ended up coming.

This is the right one!

So many of our friends brought food, and Kylie and I made dishes, too.  It was quite a nice spread!

Look at the beautiful fruit tray one of our friends made!  Thanks, Jessica!

Doug welcomed everyone and said the blessing.

Then, after eating, Doug shared some memories of Kylie and read scripture verses over her.

This shoe picture is one you rarely see in America, so I always think of you and strange things you might want to see.  I also see someone getting a drink out of the bathtub we set on the porch, which ended up being quite a source of entertainment for all the kids who attended.

One of Kylie's dear friends was able to make it. She helped steer Kylie into graphic design, tutored her in French, and also danced ballet with her. 

And finally, at the end, we got a picture together.

Congratulations, Kylie!

Castle on a Hill

We went to the top of the original city during the first week of March 2020

with some friends. They hadn't been up there yet, and we always enjoy going 

for the history and the view. They took their two kids and we took Keira.

Only a few people live up there now while it is being restored, 

but people still visit up there every day, walking the streets and looking around

This is the first time I had visited this particular shop.  I've been to a couple of the museums and one of the rug shops, but I don't think this shop has ever been open.

It was crammed full of interesting items.

Some of the restored buildings.

An old mosque.

We also visited a small amphitheater

Before heading out the other end of the city.

The buildings and high walls of the original city shielded us from the sun, 

so we were pleased to walk out to this warm glow hitting us.

The old bazaar was just below us. I've shown you 

other pictures of it here when Karis' friend came to visit.

Some of my favorite parts of the bazaar are the crafts on these steps.  

They are so colorful!

You'll see them again when I post Kylie's graduation photos, 

because she took some of them down here in the old city.

Keira is always a popular attraction.  You can see the men behind her, 

looking at her, while she looks at me.

Some of the many carpets and bags for sale..

Pomegranate and pomegranate juice are some of my favorites, 

ESPECIALLY when someone else does the work of peeling the fruit for me!

The old city really is built higher than you think.  

Civilization built on top of civilization for a few thousands years 

resulted in where it is today.

And the new city is always bustling below.

 

March 4, 2020

A Night on the Town

I haven't shown you much of the nightlife in the center of town because I usually am down there during the day time

with Doug

because it's pretty much a man's world down there.  

However, at night, the sidewalks are filled with intriguing wares.

Sometimes you feel like you're at a state fair

But then instantly, you are transported back to ancient times where funnel cakes are non-existent

We usually try not to act like tourists, but since we had a guest with us, we threw caution to the wind.

We went to the fountains (which happened to be turned on and working)

And then we went below the old city where one of the oldest tea shops in town is located.

I think I've told you about this place before. It is preferred that women stay outside or go to the family area upstairs, so we took our tea outside.  

The warmth of the tea was nice on a cool night.

We continued our walk, finding carts with dried fruit and candies

And of course, we bought baklava because you just HAVE to when you are here.

Soon after tasting the baklava, you lose your appetite as you pass the raw meat cart

But then your appetite returns when you get freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, which is amazing!

Thank you ancient city for the sites and wonders of some of the downtown life.