AHH! The joys of camping! Last weekend we got to take a camping trip with three of our local friends and a team member. We took a bus to a fishing village about an hour and 1/2 outside of our city. When we arrived, we trekked to the campground with all our stuff only to find it was locked and closed for the season. We then had to locate another place where we could set up camp over night.

Quaint, quiet, and uncrowded-great for a weekend venture!

Behind this "outdoor cafe" was our camping site.

This is what it looked like. (This was after we took the tents down the next day because I forgot to take pictures before we set up camp)

Here's Mandi taking a break! (This was also after we broke camp-she's catching up on the night of sleep she lost)

The cliffs of insanity! It was pretty insane that I tried to climb over to the cave in this photo!

On the rocks! All of our crew -except for the one taking the photo. The next day this whole area was covered by crashing waves. The wind picked up during the evening, so the waves were significantly higher the next day. (The top 2 photos are of this same place in January). The ocean was Much more calm during this trip.

Under the "cave". Getting to this point was pretty challenging. Parts of the ledge were only a foot wide-sometimes less than that. We were only about 3 feet from the water (to the left of Brian) so I didn't think climbing up the ledge to get inside was really necessary.

Sleepy Sumer!

This is how they pulled the fishing boats from the water-with a farm tractor!

A beautiful sunset to end a beautiful day!

After a long day of traveling, setting up camp and swimming we were ready to eat and play a few games then hit the sack-literally. However, camping on the dirt in the back of a cafe with vacation rentals all around, has it's drawbacks. Mainly, people in this part of the world all sit on the porch to eat meals, and visit with family and friends. Normally, they do it until late at night. When they are at their vacation home, they do it until the weeeeeee hours of the morning! I think everybody decided to call it a night about 3 or 3:30 in the morning. Shortly after it got "quiet" the local mosque"s call to prayer went off. So, this is what we looked like the next morning. You know-I'd do it all over again tomorrow! (Only with ear plugs and an air mattress!)

Yet another month has past and still no current photos. We did do all the things we said we would but there is little time to tote around a camera when you're having so much FUN! I did manage to get a couple of shots from the beach trip with my tutor but that's about all! So, if you are a frequent blog checking fan (you might just be the only one), keep on checking. There will be more in the future as we anticipate the return of our university friends!

I suppose that since the Acts students left almost 6 weeks ago, I should update the blog with more current photos. Except that there aren't any to post! Which would lead one to believe:
1. We were so overwhelmingly exhausted from the ACTS program we stayed in bed for a whole month
2. We have lived such a boring life for the last 6 weeks
3. We are more busy than ever being a part of our culture that we don't have time to post anything!

Actually, it's a mix between 1 and 3. We have enjoyed a relaxing and busy month at the same time. We were able to slow down a bit but are also preparing for a really busy August. We have already spent some quality time with our friends this week. Monday, we went bowling with our friends from the English club. (Since I have already posted bowling photos-I didn't want to be redundant). We also had a young couple over for dinner that we have been wanting to get to know better. Hopefully, after the end of Ramadan, we will be able to get together again.
We will also be taking my tutor and her family to a beach on the northern shore for a day trip. They don't get to go out of town or on vacation because he is still out of a job, so this will be a real treat for them.
At the end of this month we will be joining other individuals in our region at a mountain retreat outside of our city for a conference and R & R. Maybe by the time Sept. rolls around I'll have more than enough to post on this blog for all our bloggin' fans (all 3 of you! )
Until then- if it's photos you want-you will just have to be satisfied with revisiting all the older posts. Enjoy!

On the weekend prior to the students departure we took a boat trip to the sea. The American students had asked several of the local university students to join them as their last time to hang out together. It was great fun but the water was SOOOO cold!
Yes, I did jump in but there are NO photos on this blog of that event
(and hopefully no one else's).

Brian and the guys

Playing the "gossip" game posed a little challenge in 2 languages but they got it right at the end every time!

By the end of the trip we were all exhausted but some were still shining like the sun!

Last outing at the beach-saying goodbyes never gets any easier!

On the student's last Sunday with us, we went to the beach for our worship time. It was certainly one of the most beautiful place of worship I have ever attended on a Sunday! We did have a time with praise in music and a message from the Word. Afterwards, we ate like any normal fellowship does.

A few of the students (even the girls) wanted to climb the cliffs to dive into the sea. They did it! I decided that flip flops are not the proper gear for rock climbing!

Best Sunday school activity ever-burying kids in the sand! Everybody had a great time!

The past five weeks we have been involved with the student summer exchange program for our city. Our first weekend event was a trip to Ephesus. These guys were great and it's hard to believe this photo was taken the first week they arrived. Now that they have returned home to the states, I have some time to update the blog with some of the activities we did while they were here. It was such a blessing to work with young people that have a heart for the nations. They were a great encouragement to us and we will really miss them!

Scenes from Ephesus. Pictures can not convey these images well nor can they express the significance of this Biblical city. Neither can I. We would recommend that you find out for yourself by planning a visit soon. It's worth every penny!

I think this is a memorial to one of the city's leaders but I can't remember. There was so much to take note of (without the aid of pen and paper) and so many interesting facts.

The famous goddess Nike-can you find the "swoop"? I wonder if the sculptors from Ephesus ever thought this fresco would inspire a million dollar empire....

Some random tourist on the marble "main street" of Ephesus. The entire street was lined with columns and statues. It even had street lights! This is one of the few cities that lit up the streets for evening pedestrians.

Marble is everywhere here. The streets are even paved with it!

Marvelous Mosaics! They had an eye for detail! These floors must have taken a lot of time because the tiles are all laid individually. This"corridor" was about 80 feet long (maybe longer) and 8-10 feet wide. Make sure you click each photo to get a closer look!

Can you tell what this is? Hint: you have to use it everyday!

Where the local residents gathered to gossip and .....well.......
Can you imagine your neighbor sitting next to you doing this activity? !!!

In case you haven't figured it out-these are 2,000(+) year old toilets! No wall dividers in this public restroom! There was also a bath connected to this facility. I guess you got to know your neighbors pretty well back in those days.

Clearly, this is the most recognizable image from Ephesus. This is the famous library. The outside is far more impressive than what lies behind these magnificent columns and statues. The facade has carefully been repositioned into the structure that is seen today. The actual "interior" of the library is so unimpressive, I didn't take any photos.