December 31, 2001

Marthame walks on water.

We packed up the car and started driving East - back towards where we had come. Unlike Moses, though, we stopped at the Red Sea instead of trying to part it (Marthame did try to walk on water - in the pool, on the barstools). Our soundtrack for the road was a good slice of Americana, especially Springsteen's version of "Trapped", somehow appropriate for folks living on the West Bank. This was our overnight treat, at a little resort along the Red Sea. And although it was too cold to swim, we did manage to spoil ourselves with a little American football on the beach, tennis on the courts, a sauna, steamroom and jacuzzi, and a massage.

Ringing in the New Year.

Red Sea beach at night.

Since it was New Year's Eve, the usual dinner was postponed until later in the evening for a spectacular banquet with all kinds of meats and cheeses and delicacies and desserts. We were promised a "Russian show" with belly-dancing early in the new year, but it never materialized - instead, a bunch of international tourists were bumping and grinding the latest Amr Diab single. Or maybe we're just getting old... Even so, it was a great way to ring in 2002. Happy New Year!