The Damascus Gate

 

Dearest Neighbor has been wanting to take us to the Damascus Gate for about a year and we finally went. Despite this and that dietary restriction, we had a great, TASTY time.  After, we walked through the nearby basilica.  Yikes!  Usually, I would prepare my kids beforehand, but as this was a last minute decision... Whoa!  "Don't jump down the stairs!"  "Don't go up on the sanctuary!"  "Don't touch the holy water!"  "Don't blow out the candles!"  I felt as though I were restraining a pack of wild dogs amidst a plaza-ful of pigeons.  -a sigh-  Let's just say it was training for our future visits to Rome, Paris and London.  I wish!  

Fun with the Ethiopian Hug

 

Church

 

Thanks, Ty.

 Bye, Jack.  Thanks for 16.5 years of falafel and Uzbek fire carrots.  It's been tasty.

Bonjour, Jacques!  Nice to meet you!  Here's to 16.5 years of tastiness!

And you know what else speaks to me?

 Swamped cedars in the sun and lilacs in the living room.  What?!