January Patrolling

Jan has been very slow. Lots of short day-long patrols, so lots of driving. However, we have not been able to do as many long range patrols as we would have liked, because of problems getting security clearances and other BS paperwork signed off, leading to quite a lot of frustration. Sometimes, it seems that the UN is all about paper, not really about the job.






On the road, I am constantly amazed to see the women in the towns near us carrying on their heads the huge loads they do, walking for miles! Almost all the work we see is women, at least most of the agriculture or anything related to keeping the home in
order (which includes rebuilding the straw).










Recently, we stopped by one of the military camps and were able to give a few children some of the "Izzie" dolls that my Mom and Teri's Mom have been sending me. They seemed to like them, once they stopped running away from us! That's Khamis, one of our language assistants, with the kids.

Back at Team Site MELUT

Vacation over - back to work (that's my accommodation, top left corner!)









An example of some of the hazards we face around here.....

More Friends

On the way back, I also stopped in Qatar to see David Coupland, Stephanie Pinnacle and family. As a bonus, Bill & Betty were there two!


Dave, Bill and I even got in a little golf!

We also visited with some friends!

In London, we were very happy to spend Boxing Day with Nancee and her family as well as see Mario and Jen again (Thanks Nancee!)









David, with Heather and Roland (some of Nancee's family)

Seeing Teri and Liam was the best part....

It was absolutely fabulous to see Teri and Liam again after 3 months. It does not sound very long, but it is very long.

I am very lucky to have their support (along with so many others).

Last minute at Heathrow airport, just before Teri and Liam went one way and I the other to board our flights back.

Just three more months to go....

Yes, Starbucks IS everywhere!

The Metro Stations were very cool, the signs very chic

Sightseeing

We walked all over downtown Paris and really enjoyed seeing the sites, the cafes and especially the restaurants! We climbed atop the Arc du Triumphe and could really get a good view, particularly of the Tour d'Effile

Even though the weather was not great, the walks along the Seine and its bridges were still a must.





Coming around the corner on the street the Tower really was impressive.....

The Catacombs

Liam and I took a tour one day of the underground catacombs, about 2 kms of sewers and former quarries underneath the city of Paris. As the city grew, they needed space in the cemetaries so the remains from various plots were moved underground. Later, as the quarries became unstable, the city shored them up with tunnels and supports, and re-stacked the bones in a macabre, decorative way.

The Musee du Louvre

The Egyptian antiquities section is very well done, but somehow it always seems not quite as impressive as the real thing - maybe its the cameras.



Liam being very studious!







The museum itself is an incredible piece of architechture.

Paris!

We arrived in Paris and immediately went to see the sights downtown. A little cold, but the sun did make an appearance now and then, which made the walking much better.