Petra here we come!

I am most excited today. Tomorrow Dom and I are off to Jordan for 6 days. We are visiting Petra, the Dead Sea, Amman, Madaba and Jerash. So a fix of stunning architecture, incredible ruins and historic sites is guaranteed. Like most people would, I imagine, I am looking forward to seeing the Treasury at Petra the most. But there are many other incredible sights to see there. Hopefully we'll reach Petra in time to do the 'Petra by night' tour as well tomorrow.

We'll also be away for a couple of potentially key dates in Lebanon. The 8th and 11th March. 8th March 2005 is when Hezbollah held a rally countering the demonstrations calling for the withdrawal of Syria, 14 March was the largest rally to date in Lebanon (I think), where approximately 1 million people demonstrated to reiterate their wish for Syrian troops to withdraw from Lebanon. Since then, 8 March and 14 March have become nicknames for two of the opposing political sides in Lebanon. 11 March, which I mention above, is a new movement which says it is non-political, and is also calling for some sort of demonstration on that day to say 'enough'. Both sides have their supporters and although there seems to be some sort of deal being touted in the press, it hasn't been agreed yet. Saying all that, 14 February, the commemoration of Hariri's assassination passed off peacefully (despite everyone's fears to the contrary, including mine), and life has, once more, returned pretty much to normal. (Incidentally if any of those facts are wrong, feel free to correct me - I am trying to synthasise very complicated events into a couple of sentences!).

I am always amazed and humbled by people's ability to function normally at times of such tension. Many people are very worried, of course, and friends of mine are applying for long term residency visas of countries such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia (and Dubai), but life goes on, businesses continue to hire, although it is difficult for many at the moment, and people still shop and enjoy themselves. My impressions are that although many people want to leave, they are happy to stay here as long as it remains peaceful - and I think it puts many of the problems we think we have in the UK in perspective.

I am continuing to work as a freelancer, which I enjoy as it gives me the freedom to do many other things - this week I have been to the National Museum (highly recommended) and to a birthday party for a 2 year old! Next week sees the arrival of Dom's parents, and we are beginning to plan where to take them. And then a few weeks after that, my parents arrive. So it's all systems go!