Better than 14th July!

Yesterday, our 36* weather exploded into a huge thunderstorm - complete with hailstones. The result was quite spectacular... as the road just infront of our apartment flooded with water. Thankfully, the water didn't come much closer to our walls than 50 yards because it really was quite deep and ugly looking. Amazingly enough, the water did drain away quite quickly because after only 30 minutes the road was relatively dry again.

So, once again, our living room windows provided ringside seats...especially as this guy's car broke down only a few seconds later and he had to borrow our mobile to call his dad (which also provided excellent entertainment as he tried to explain exactly why he had driven through the water rather than waiting...).

hugs n smiles,

Robyn

Israel - Lebanon conflict

Hello,

I received this thought-provoking email from a friend today, and thought you might like to share in her message.

Alena, is someone for whom I have the utmost respect. She has traveled to and lived in destinations around the world. She wrote her email as one of her friends is living in Lebabon. Now, I simply cannot take sides in the Israel-Lebanon conflict. However, what I can say is that I often forget the faces we see on the news are real people, with lives like you and I.

So, here's Alena's email:

Dear Friends,

I have been extremely lucky in this life that in every country I've lived in I have known so many generous and enormously talented women. I am in awe ofall of you and I thank you for even tolerating me. Right now, a woman very like you - fun-loving, kind to an astonishing degree, very very smart, and a friend of mine - is in Beirut as the bombs drop continuously around her.

She is Lebanese, educated in Canada, a Christian (like 40% of her country) andno cruise ship is coming to rescue her from the danger, nor would she boardit if it were.The tragedy in the Lebanon is one that you should hear from her- a message I think she wants heard- so please let me share the email I received fromLaurice this morning:

"Alena, Thank you, I've been in Beirut since yesterday, I haven't slept asecond from all the bombardments. I'm a little tired but running on pure adrenaline. I'm scared for myself and scared for not being able to see myfamily and even more scared for the people here. We're holding ademonstration tomorrow for Israel to stop bombing us, I might be in that onebut I will for sure be in the demonstration that will happen either thisFriday or this Saturday promoting peace. Help is always needed, ALWAYS!! There is absolutely no way anything can getinto Lebanon, no food, no medical supplies, no nothing! And we're slowly running out and all prices have increased ridiculously with whatever is leftand no one can afford to buy anything since most people lost everythingthey've ever had. The situation is bad, it's horrible but we are hoping forthe best by demonstrating that we, as Lebanese Citizens, DO NOT WANT thiswar. Contrary to many others opinion, we don't want to fight, we want peaceand we want to eat, drink, breath and live just like anyone. You can send that message across to any officials who are interested in helping Lebanesecitizens and the best way and the only way to do so at the moment is to make our voices heard. [...]as for me leaving, they will have to drag me out of my own home before I take this decision. Just hope it wont get tothat, I'm not ready to leave. "

Laurice is a Project Coordinator for an NGO in Beirut that teaches youngpeople about entrepreneurship - the same people that will be rebuildingLebanon yet again when the bombs finish grinding this beautifulMediterranean country between the teeth of its two giant neighbours. You cansee the work they do at www.jalebanon.org.

I hope it will show that this country is - and should be allowed to be- more than just a war zone.Thank you, and As-salaamu Alaikum

(Peace be upon you.)-Alena

July 14th 2006

Last night, at ten o'clock sharp and to the explosion of three fired guns, the parade of the 14th July started right outside our window. So, we had ringside seats as the folks of Alsace - disguised as the rich, poor, and revolutionary of the 1700's - filed past with firey torches held aloft.

celebrating the new apartment

A couple of weeks ago, Ben's folks drove up from Nice to Alsace to visit and to help us settle in... and they helped us they did for soon both the washing machine and the stove top were installed and the old apartment was cleaned and ready to hand back!! Thankfully, we also had some time to relax and to enjoy each other's company.

Here we are celebrating both the new apartment our 2nd wedding anniversary... but definitely not the yellow paint in the living room (which will be changed asap!!).

After their visit with us, they drove through to see 'the Derimays' in Germany.. and we followed them at the weekend to enjoy time together and to watch some world cup football. Now, what was Zidane thinking....