March 25, 2003

We're sitting tight today, as most of the island is celebrating Greek Independence Day - there were some parades and most stores were closed. The fact that this holiday is celebrated so strongly, and the ubiquitous Greek flags flying every day, speak to the nationalist sentiment here. An ingredient of the still-unresolved conflict here is the movement for unity with Greece, apparently still on some people's minds.

Today is also Annunciation Day on the Western calendar, when Gabriel came and surprised the young Mary. We've been sending greetings back to Zababdeh. The replies, however, were surprising: snow! It snowed in Zababdeh today for the first time in more than a decade. Unbelievable. And we thought our experience yesterday was somehow special. Unfortunately, it won't be around when we get back - it's already melted.

A reminder of why we are here: the American attack on Iraq.

We've been watching the news with great interest. Basra, the southern Iraqi city which is the focus of so much attention, was where we (and the members of Basra Presbyterian Church) celebrated Marthame's birthday in 2001. We've tried to contact our friends throughout Iraq, but haven't heard from any of them. Reports of water shortages in Basra are particularly fretful.

We also got an adorable note from one of Elizabeth's students that has to be included in the journal: "hi Miss Elizabith,how r u ,I know that u r happy because you r in a very nice land,I want to know about u something,r u live in a house or in a hotel,now we r very sad because u isnt with us ,but we r in curvieu (in jineen)sinc sunday .today is tuesday,miss Areen [the substitute teacher] is nice but sure not like you.the quiz was very easy,hope to see u soon." So do we.