Yemen Pictures

It's been over a month since Chris went to Yemen, but here are his pictures. Stay tuned for some descriptions. http://picasaweb.google.com/thecsfreemans

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Upon the urging of many others, including my husband, I am finally able to put up some more pictures this week. We've had a lot happening recently, so here is a short run-down and the first of several links that you'll get to see.

To Begin the Beguine, Chris traveled to Yemen during the last weekend in January. Because different parts of the country are restricted (due to obvious reasons), he mostly visited the Sana'a area, which is the capital.

The Saturday that he was gone in Yemen, I went to my first camel race here in Kuwait. A bunch of girls that I work with went out with a group of people from the AWARE Center (Advocates for Western Arab Relations), to enjoy the desert sights and take in a dinner and diwaniya at a local "farm." Your idea and their idea of farms are probably a little different...Here are some pictures

Chris was back for a few days after his short jaunt to Yemen, but then left again with our friend, Kyle, to see the sights of Greece. They spent most of their time around Athens and on the island of Santorini, and it just so happened that the Greek public sector went on one of its predictable 24-hour strikes while they were there. What is it with places he travels to?

In the mean time, I started a new semester with 33 new students. Currently, I'm teaching three English blocks (hooray!- all one subject), one of which is Advanced English for 11th graders. If any of you real English teachers out there have any hints or fun activities to pass along, please do so.

Our niece, Rebekah, was born on February 12th- just short of Chris' 27th birthday, which was February 14th, and two of my friends' birthdays on February 16th. My cousin, Tiffany, also had a baby on the 16th, increasing the number of celebrations held each February. I guess it's a good month!

Finally, because we hadn't seen much of each other in the previous 2 1/2 weeks, Chris and I both took personal days from school on Thursday and headed to Doha, Qatar for a 3-day weekend. Doha is the capital of this small country located an hour's flight from Kuwait, just north of the UAE. We spent much of our time milling around without much purpose but to spend time together and take in a few sights. Fortunate enough to be there during a festival weekend, we were able to take in a concert, some street performers, and some amazing food in addition to the regular Old Souk (market). It was so relaxing!

It's really almost February?

This morning, Chris left to Yemen for a short stay, nearly completing his quest to visit all of the countries on the Arabian Peninsula. "While we're here, why not?" is a motto that I think I've heard more than once. After this trip, that leaves him Qatar (where we plan to go at the end of the month), Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. That last one is going to be a bit tricky if we both go, so I'll post details if I go along. After Yemen, he will here for a few days and head off to Greece with our friend, Kyle, who is currently teaching at a school in northern Iraq.

Since I don't have the same vacation time and already took my jaunt to France, the guys are going to check out the "old rocks" (as I call ancient ruins) without me.

Tomorrow I begin the new semester with a new set of students. I will still be teaching three 11th Grade English classes, but because we have the same block schedule everyday at my school, the courses are completed in one semester instead of over a whole year. I'm going to miss the girls I had first semester like crazy, but I think I will like the classes coming up just as much. I also have plans in the works to do a photography club this semester, though I don't know all that much about it myself. I am hoping that by having to teach it and work with others, I will learn a lot and build my own skills. If nothing else, it will be fun!

Around Kuwait this weekend, one can see the signs of "Hala February," or "Welcome/Hello February." This is a great time of year because there are lots of store sales and festival-type celebrations. I don't know why exactly they have it, but I think it has something to do with the national holiday and liberation holiday being the 25th and 26th of the month. I will investigate further and provide details if I find any...

There are about five months until we return to the States for some summer fun, Lord willing and if we both live that long! I'm especially looking forward to it this time around, because I will have a new niece/nephew to cuddle in addition to the rambunctious 2 yr old family comedian. There should be a few new friend babies to hold, too, so I'm sure I will find lots to do with my time. Before we actually get there, Chris and I have decided to stop in Italy for two weeks, and perhaps a neighboring post-communist country or two. "While we're here, why not?"