Kim In Jordan

Just wanted to let everyone know that it is December 22, 2005 and still no bag :( I do have a new cell phone now, and I can be contacted with the same number. Thanks again to everyone for commenting on my blog; it was sure nice. Until my next adventure...later!

Kim

I just spent 45 minutes writing an update and it all just went away in a blink. So the new synopsis is...

We crossed the Jordanian/Israel border at night with our necessary male counterpart; we were the only ones at the border and it took an hour and a half. We were searched, scanned and rescanned, were somewhat freaked out by the humming of security fences, and were looked at in shock and questioned harshly when we told customs we were on our way to Bethlehem. "Q: And what do you know about Bethlehem!! A: "....uhhhhh....the place where Jesus was born?" The customs agents (all under 25) all warned us against going to Bethlehem because it was dangerous for us; so we paused to think for the night in Ilat, asked questions, and took off to Jerusalem at 7am the next morning.

I spent the bus ride chatting sweetly with a young Christian Israeli soldier and his rifle and his smile. His best friend sitting beside him, was also a soldier, however Jewish. He definitely enjoyed listening to my I pod and improving his english. Southern Israel looks a lot like Southern Utah...only additions are the possible palm tree farms and the salt factories.

JERUSALEM!!!

We landed a fabulous taxi driver who with all his Jewish matzo took the three of us on a world wind tour of Jerusalem; I saw so much, and I still can't comprehend it all. The Wailing Wall, the place where Jesus cried over Jerusalem, the golden gates where it is believed Jesus will return...and more.

Our taxi man took us to Bethlehem next over much debate over safety. He arranged a "passover" of us into a Palestinian taxi so he, being an Israeli taxi driver, would not get shot and we could go and see where bebe Jesus was born.

It was definitely a moment; we climbed down into Joseph and Mary's cave, and saw the manger, and knelt over the place of his birth. I was traveling with a Christian and a Jew; it was an interesting moment for all of us. The tour group behind us started singing Silent Night and then I became really, really moved. Really.

The presence of the different moments in history, the warm beautiful sunny day, the anxiety of our taxi driver...it all made December 11th one day I will never forget.

We made it to the bus station to catch a taxi ride to the only border crossing that would let us back into Jordan. Unknown to us, we were now way north, past Jericho, and had to once again cross a border late at night and then take a taxi back south to the dead sea.

We arrived at the Movenpick, Dead Sea, Jordan by approximately 1030pm last night. I sadly said goodbye to my fabulous travel buddies, and cuddled in for an opulent experience at the biggest spa hotel in the middle east. (I have cashed in on last year's Christmas present here, Dad!). All I can say is, the Jordanians know how to do it right. It would have been better if I wasn't alone; but you can't have everything...at least not all at once :)

I am leaving for the airport in about an hour and a half; I am minus some cherished material possessions, however my glass seems to be absolutely overflowing with contentment, spiritual fulfillment, and a happiness.

It's been fun blogging with you. Until next time...

Kim

So the last few days of my life have been incredibly eventful. After I woke up the last surgery patient and bid the babies and their daddies farewell, it was off to the hotel to rush to a farewell and thank you party. There was lots of 'hubbly bubbly" and some more fabulous aubergines and falafel. It was moving to see all the Iraqi doctors receive an award. These men are incredible. The conversations we had about their thoughts on Saddam Hussein, the Americans and their presence, their opinions on the war, and their sad, sad, sad stories....I will never forget.

The last three days have been all about adventure time, and an adventure it has been; while on a tour bus to Petra (where Indiana Jones was filmed) the luggage compartment of our bus flew open, my bag fell out and I will never see my Italian pink leather boots and my 150 numbers in my cell phone again. Yes it's true everyone, my nice little black wheeled baggage is being used as a very compfy seat cushion for a Bedouin boy and his camel somewhere in the Arabian desert as we speak. Hopefully this young man will give my fabulous patagonia jacket to his sister, and I hope he washes all my underwear and socks before he distributes them out to all the ladies in his camp.

Soon I was off to Aqaba with a plastic surgeon, another nurse, but minus one bag. God had me separate my luggage that morning, so my carry on was saved with generally everything I needed in it for the next three days. Unbelievable.

If I get to talk to any of you, please ask me about the story in Petra. It involves meeting a Petra tour guide whose brother is a policeman, our adventure at the Petra police station, filing a lost item report, the police chief's brother who has a sick son, and the surgeon who could help him. It was seriously a miracle, and I decided we should submit our story to "It takes a miracle" with Roma Downy. Yep, yep.

We made it to Aqaba and were able to take the most breath-taking dive into the red sea. This has been the best dive I have ever been on, hands down (even the great barrier reef). I have never seen so much bright green, bright orange, bright yellow and Nemo's everywhere. The babe-of-a-25-year-old-Jordanian-scuba master that unpredictably decided to hold my hand through most of the dive added some considerable charm to the entire experience, as well:) We all decided that I wouldn't exactly make it as a Muslim wife...so we are off.

And what better place to go than Israel (no snide remarks, everyone).

Until the next blog entry....trying to keep it safe.

Thanks to all who have made the effort to make such nice comments on my blog. You have all said some very nice things, and I hope to hear from more of you soon...luv Kim

I swear I have been working the entire time since I have been on this site! 160 Iraqis spent over 48 hours in the cold arabian desert to get to us. It was so horrifying. By the time they got to us it was late afternoon a full day later. They had been detained at the border overnight, forced to sleep on the side of the road with little babies in the cold (winter here too). The children arrived with about 4 layers of clothes on them each. They were so soiled; saturated in vomit (motion sickness) and urine. I was the first one to assess the children (to perform vitals) and tears welled up only a few times. Fortunately there was a buzz of excitement in the air ... there are good things to be done here!

I have been recovering babies and children from surgery for the last three days; about 12-16 hours at the hospital each day. We have had a few exciting days, but generally the patients have done so well. The team is slick, and I have a fabulous Aussie roommate who keeps me in stitches.

Sorry for the humm drumm message but I have been working the last 17 hours and wanted to send something quickly! I am clearly having incredible moments of compassion, love, cultural exposure...and I am enjoying Jordan. The middle east is a fabulous place, and you should all come over here to check it out. I have had quite a unique sneak peak inside the muslim faith which many of you know I would be totally loving.

I need to sign off because I am falling asleep at this computer. I have sooooo many stories and many poignant moments. I am so lucky to be doing this.

Oh yeah...I was able to stand in the place where Jesus Christ was baptised. Can you beleive it..sometimes, I can't.

This weekend I will be scuba diving in the red sea, and seeing the ancient Petra. Too da loo, all...with smiles and a happy heart! :)

Yesterday and today have run incredibly smoothly; we spent the day yesterday getting to know Jordanian culture and herritage, which essntially means reliving and reviewing the entire accounts of the three monotheisitic religions as well as Roman history. The time travel was awesome, and the men only somewhat diapproving of our short sleeve shirts (no tank tops allowed) and our capri pants (no shorts allowed). We met many youth (both boys and girls) and recruited a terrifically educated travel guide whom spent the entire day with us. Favorite foods so far are olive oil drenched hummus, as well as lamb and yoghurt...and ofcourse the olives, the figs and the aubergines.
Today was a much anticipated journey to the hospital to set up our scene. The hospital is only four years old making it pretty easy to rig appropriate power for our machines. We have running water to wash our hands, and the space is well designed. What I would like to bring your attention to is the fact that none of our patients are Jordanians, and all of them are Iraqi. It's been a very nerve-racked day for the in-country volunteers as they have yet to cross the Iraqi/Jordanian border (on their way from Baghdad). We have no idea what's going on, except that the families are frightened, and feel they are risking their lives to give their child a better future by repairing a malformed face. We are at the mercy of the US milirary that they will get everyone here to Amman by tomorrow so that we can meet and screen them for surgery (at the hotel they are being put up in). I ask that you all pray for the safety, courage and strength of these dedicated volunteers, as well as the children and their parents as they travel accross the desert tonight...keeping the faith, Kim :)

Total 31 hour travel time, and I have reached my destination. So far the service has been courteous, the weather like a cool summer Canadian evening, and hotel is nice! I have met many of the team members (about 9 so far). My roomate is a cute Aussie and I found the other tolken Canadian. Tomorrow is a free day, and I have decided to check out some Roman ruins as well as the citadel. Hopefully internet access will be the same every night; tonight I just talked the hotel manager into letting us use their business computers. Excited, looking forward to sleeping, and hopefully I will be back on tomorrow night. Please comment (click on the comment link to this posting) so I know you're reading my site! ( I will not be checking my email)...luv ya, Kim

I am stealing this off a friend of mine, and I wanted to share some of my heart;


Yes, my hotel is in Amman, for all of you that have asked. I am staying at the Howard Johnson's in Alqasr.

Just preparing for the trip. All is going well! Looking forward to keeping you all updated.