So we have gone through quite a transition over the last 48 hours, leaving sweltering Dar es Salaam Friday night at 9:00 - sweating our way through the airport, looking for some slight air movement - arriving in Zurich @ 6:00am and heading quickly to our Frankfurt connection that eventually took us here, to Amman, Jordan. In the process, we were able to adjust our long layover so that we spent 12 hours in Frankfurt, instead of 12 hours in Zurich. Chrissie's cousin, Steve Austin, and his family - Lana, Matthias and Levi - have just moved close by (Steve has a new job as the assistant principal of a Department of Defense K-8 school outside Frankfurt). In a hilarious rush of activity (they've only been in Germany 6 days!), we spent the day with them, wandering the Christmans market in the old town section of Frankfurt - shivering in the 20 degree - foggy - snowy weather! 
It was quite an adjustment for our tired bodies, that had been used to 90 degrees, but it was so wonderful to hang out with Steve, Lana, Matt and Levi (and eat brats and other German goodies)! 
It was also a more tangibly Christmas feel for us, so it has helped usher us into the season.
It was quite an adjustment for our tired bodies, that had been used to 90 degrees, but it was so wonderful to hang out with Steve, Lana, Matt and Levi (and eat brats and other German goodies)! It was also a more tangibly Christmas feel for us, so it has helped usher us into the season.One unfortunate part of our adventure is that the switch of flights from Zurich to Frankfurt seems to have been too much for our luggage, so we have spent the day without it. We are trusting that it will arrive before tomorrow morning (when we head for Bethlehem), and we are also ready to change clothes - since we're wearing what we left Dar es Salaam in 50 hours ago. Fortunately, Chrissie had the presence of mind to have everyone pack an extra pair of socks and undies in our day packs, so that's nice....
Our flight to Amman was delayed out of Frankfurt, so we ended up arriving here at 6:00am this morning, without much sleep. After a little 3-hour nap, we ate a big buffet breakfast, then headed out on a little downtown Amman touring. 
It's a beatiful city, full of deeply hospitable, gracious and friendly people. We had a wonderful time wandering the ancient Roman ruins here in town, 
as well as the narrow streets and bustling markets. 
There was a choir here in the hotel, singing Christmas carols earlier this evening (which has sinced transitioned into more traditional Arab music), and we even saw Santa!
Tomorrow morning we'll head out early for Bethlehem, and are looking forward to celebrating a midnight Christmas-eve service at the Church of the Nativity.
It's a beatiful city, full of deeply hospitable, gracious and friendly people. We had a wonderful time wandering the ancient Roman ruins here in town, as well as the narrow streets and bustling markets. There was a choir here in the hotel, singing Christmas carols earlier this evening (which has sinced transitioned into more traditional Arab music), and we even saw Santa! Tomorrow morning we'll head out early for Bethlehem, and are looking forward to celebrating a midnight Christmas-eve service at the Church of the Nativity.We'll keep you posted!
1 comment:
am following your travels in the ME with much interest, and praying for you along the way... So glad you are in Bethlehem, near that big wall... Ephesians 5 will make more sense after walking along the wall that seperates Israel from the Gentiles, and the accomplishment of Jesus there in Bethlehem. Much love, David
Post a Comment