Back Home Again

I’m back home — finally! The past three and a half weeks I’ve been on the road traveling, with the exception of three days at home to do some laundry and answer emails and snail mail in between trips. My last blog (has it really been that long?) was almost two weeks ago, so I’ll bet many of you have been wondering why there’s been radio silence for so long.

The first trip I took was to Dayton, OH and then to Lancaster, PA for the QHC Show. This last trip, however, was a family holiday for spring break. We had planned (and paid for it) months ago, so it was too late to change our plans even though I felt the timing was wrong considering all my pending deadlines. So I left for our trip the day before Easter a bit “under diress.” But it turned out to be absolutely wonderful and just what we all needed after such a stressful winter. We spent time together playing games (Scrabble, anyone?) and catching up on sleep. We went sightseeing and did all sorts of fun, interesting things. We laughed and made great memories with the boys. And we came back refreshed, rested and relaxed.

Rather than just write about it, I’ll share a few fun photos with you from our time in Tunesia. Enjoy!

Although Kent and I have been to Africa before, this was the boys’ first time setting foot on a new continent.

Brilliant sunshine on a rooftop in Tunis, Tunesia.

Josh and Andrew learned the art (and fun!) of bartering for souvenirs in the bazaar in Tunis.

The local pottery is easily recognizable by the intricate blue and white hand painted designs. Yes, one of these plates came home with me. And yes, I bartered for it. The vendor gave me a “very special price” since it was his first sale of the day for good luck. Yeah, right. (wink)

A happy little dude after bartering for a traditional Tunesian drum. I was amazed at how good he was at sticking to his rock-bottom price.

What’s a trip to Africa without a camel ride?

I found these exquisite designs on a ramshackled building in an alley. I think there may just be a new souvenir quilt in my future with flowers like these beauties…

We learned that many of the villages in Tunesia have white buildings painted with bright blue trim. The white reflects the sun and keeps the interiors cool (obviously) and the blue is said to ward off evil spirits and mosquitos. Who knew?

Be sure to stop back here again soon. I still have quite a few things to share with you from my first trip, and I promise the next blog posting will be in the next day or so.