Right

It is December 17, 2008. Since I started this blog I have been to jordan again.
Been to Israel and to Egypt. Unfortuetly the prediciations I made about the US
are coming true. We are in the middle of a huge recession that most proably will
become a depression soon. How can one woman, who isn't even a big brain, have seen
so clearly what our government denied for so long? I am seeing Mimi and Marylin tonight. What is amazing is that I got two really great friends out of that trip
and another friend, Kathy D! Oh and Karen who I see sometimes.. I'm still working
on the book..

Haunted

I thought I was done writing this blog. I thought Jordan was behind me. I was so wrong. I completely "lost it" last night.
I was at a high school football game, Valley Christian vs, Pittsburg High, a student sang the Star Spangled Bannner. It is
hard for me to reconcile what I saw in Jordan, (refugees) and what we are doing in Iraq, with my nice life here in the USA.
How do I not think about all the people we are killing and maiming in the name of Operation Iraqi Freedom? How can I not
see the faces of the women and children that can no longer live in their homeland? Do Americans give a damm at all? Why
are we spending so much to kill people? Why arent' we spending the money here? I need to not think.

Reunion

I meet up with Marylin and MIMI last night in San Francsico. Marylin brought her new friend Annette along. We had a great time
and we ate way too much Mexican food in the Mission. I don't think any of us have quite figured out what we are going to
do with our new found knowledge. We just know we are going to be friends, at that is certainly worth everything!
Marylin is thinking of taking another group trip, to Iran next summer. She thinks two weeks would be okay, with a group.
Mimi and I had to remind her that she was CARRIED into Jordan, that the trip pretty much went bad for her from the get go!
We are working on taking a trip to Mexico and Central America instead, to see Chictzan-Itza another new world wonder! Since
I have been to Xumal and the areas near there I will be our "jafar" for that part of the trip.
On my way to the meeting, I stopped at the Old Jerusalem resturant, where I meet up with some nice Jordainians. I think
I might need some hummos and falafel soon!

Marylin Mimi suzi

Together again in San Francsico

I'm just one person

When I talk to friends and family and tell them what I saw in Jordan, people say to me, "Suzi, I'm just one person, what can
I do?" I have no answer to that question. Who am I? I too, am just one person. I wrote to the editor of the Contra Costa
times. I tell everyone that asks, what I saw. How terrible the war is and how it will bring down the USA. I feel like Chicken
Little. I feel like I must prepare to leave the country and take my children with me. Sarah wants me to write a book. I'm writing
the blog until I figure out what to do.
Is time running out for the USA. Will this war really bankrupt us? Is Bush the worst President ever? Am I the one that has
finally, lost her mind. I saw the refugees that are living well, in Jordan. They are the ones that left early and took their money
with them. Can I do that? Where will I go. Israel is out. That will proably be the first place bombed, if Bush and his EVIL
regime to go to Iran. I can't see Iran sitting still and taking it without retaliation!
I am trying to live my life. I'm seeing friends and making plans to travel. Maybe even return to Jordan, see Israel and go
to Dubai.. is this the right thing to do after what I have seen. The Iraqi refugees who left after the war started, who lost
everything, is it right for me to ignore their plight..what am I to do, I'm just one woman. Wendy, who we meet, started her own
NGO. Yes its Christian based but she is doing what she thinks needs to be done.. what can I do?
Tomorrow, I will write Nancy Pelosi and maybe that dumbest of all Senators, Diane, I voted my consience, Fienstein! What a sellout she turned out to be. I still have some hope for Nancy maybe she will remember what she stands for and maybe she
will be the voice of reason and maybe she will help get us out of Iraq and this mess we have made. Time for bed.. too many
thoughts..

Adjusting

I am back home. Its been almost 5 days. I am reading, on the back page of the paper, how Jordan and Syria are asking
the world for help in resettling the refugees, from the Iraq War. Of course, the US position is, there is a democracy in
Iraq so there are no refugees. I have yet to figure out why we are in Iraq and what are objective is. I'm pretty sure that
few people here realize the gravity of the situation. How can a tiny country like Jordan/or Syria absorb so many refugees.
7,000 are slated to enter the US in September. I still ask the question, Why is George W still allowed to be president?
If he moves on Iran, I'm pretty sure I will leave the USA. I just don't know where I can go and live without bombs dropping.
Sometimes world peace is an elusive thing, and how can one person make a difference? Can we collectively make a difference?
Will someone listen or are we doomed to fall victim to mindless leaders? I truely feel that we are witnessing the decline and
fall of the United States. I saw enough Roman Ruins to know that all empires fail, especially those that pay no attention
to history!

Back Home

Gap skirt
Old Navy Skirt
High Heels
Omega watch
I'm back

Back in the USSSA

After 26 hours on 4 different airplanes I am back in the USA. I have been trying to readjust to life here. I realize a few
things, right away.
1. I make terrible coffee.
2. I seem to have lost weight, I am a size 8.
3. We live our lives as if people are not suffering and dying because of who WE elected to run our government.
4. I have a ton of mail to go through.
We started our journey home from Amman International at 3:45 am sunday 7/22. I arrived home at 6pm on 7/22.
We started on Lufthansa and I ended on a 20 seat UAL plane.. a clear flight from LAX to OAK.. I could see the whole
central valley, lakes, farmland and cities spreading everywhere.
I talked to Sarah this am and she told me to continue the blog and write my feelings, etc.
I have placed my new rugs in my condo and I'm unpacking. The only packing mishap is the Dead Sea Salt ripped open
and all my things are salted. The Havana Club Rum did make it through. I don't know what to do about what I learned and
saw! Cindy Sheehan is trying to get Bush Impeached but no one is listening to her? Why? Are we all in denial about the
atrocities being committed in Iraq? Shame on us, shame on us! The Mayhem in Iraq is a direct result of our bumbling Invasion.
What was our goal? Why are we there? Why does this only bother me?
I'm off for a manicure and meeting Ali for lunch before I can even hope to work on world peace.
Suzi

Last Day/ Packing/US Policy

Today is my last day in Jordan. Guess what? I have not one but two hotel rooms to
pack up! I just picked up laundry and dropped it at Al Manar. Someone has been in
my room and made a mess. It looks like a hurricane hit. Oh wait, was it me? So what's
a girl to do? Swim. After this I will go to the pool for a few hours and then shower
and pack. The schedule is we are leaving AL Manar at 6:30 to go to a party at Jafar's
house (our guide) then we will go from there to the Airport. Our flight leaves
at 3:45 am tomorrow.. Ugh. So I am getting my rest and some decent food in me now.
All in all I'd say I had a great trip. I have learned so much about Jordan and the
middle east. I am deeply sadded by the actions of our government. We are making
people suffer and killing them for what reason? Please don't feed me the "Saddam
was evil and had weapons of mass destruction etc." That was never the truth.
. It is the actions of our government that cause
the "terrorists" to react and attack us. From what I have seen there isn't a nation
in the middle east that has the desire, let alone the manpower to wage war againest
the USA. So what is the USA doing? Being the biggest bully on the block. If you don't
agree with me from a political standpoint then look at the financial picture. We
are spending BILLIONS to kill and mame people, bomb their homes and cause major
MAYHEM then we are spending billions more to clean up the mess we made. This
makes no sense to me.
If there is a hell I will meet George W. Bush and his henchmen there. May G-d grant
us all peace and the power to maintain it.

Last Day/Dubai Shopping Festival

Since we are leaving tomorrow I had to take today to prepare for the grueling
journey. The day started with a swim, in the wonderful, Kempinski pool, which
I had all to myself. Yeah! Today is the Muslim Sabbath, or day of prayer so things
were pretty quiet. Usually everything is closed Friday morning and re-opens in the
afternoon. Followed by BREAKFAST, yes, here at the Kempinski, we had the usual mix
of olives, pickles, hummos, halavah but in addition there were omelettes made to order, bacon, sausage, hash browns, eight kinds of bread and oh yes, fresh fruit!
After breakfast it was time for a mani/pedi with Lana,she does a great job and guess
what, you don't need a "nail drying machine" here it Jordan, you just step outside
and the HEAT dries your polish in about 5 seconds. Another reason to Love Jordan.
I spent the day poolside, with various friends dropping by! Then I had a massage.
I think I might be relaxed enough to leave. While I was poolside I was reading
the Kempinski magazine and guess what happens in Dubai in Decemember??? Yes they
have the WORLD's only and perhaps greatest event, The DUBAI SHopping Festival.. oh
my gawddddddddddddddddddddddddd I so have to go to that! It lasts over 2 weeks and
there are all kinds of events and fashion shows! I can't really think of a better
way to spend those dreary "holidays"...yes, they have a Kempinski in Dubai!!!
I'm glad to report that the Suzi person who wanted to work at an NGO has left
the premises and the other Suzi person has returned.

Pre massage and swim

Breakfast at the Kempinski

Mini Bar at the Kempinski

Kempinski/ Suzi has returned

So life has changed dramatically for me! I am loving every minute of the Kempinski..
I spent the day by the pool after my 10:15 checkout. Okay there is a reason this
place is 5+ stars, the service is just beyond my limited experience. At the pool they
come around and SPRITZ you with cool water so you won't get too hot!!! AAAAAArgh!
They also served cold melon throughout the day..
I meet a crew from a movie filming here, based on the soldiers in Iraq.. I also
ran into them yesterday at the 4 Seasons and I meet a couple of guys that work for
the King in the court system. And of course, taught a girl (Hella) to swim.. its
all in a poolside day..also meet up with the likes of a kid named Ronnie who is all
of 5 and talks a blue streak in about 5 languages! He is from Wash DC but is visiting
here.. he was floating for hours in a life jacket.. no need to try and teach this
kid as the pool is too deep.. Oh did I describe the pool? Divine.. about 5 feet deep
level gutters and about 82 degrees with no cholrine burn..
After a grueling day at the pool I had a suana and Jacuzzi.. padded back to my
room (In my Kempinski Robe) and had a REAL SHOWER blowed my hair dry and headed out.
I went to the Gold market and picked up Sarah's BD present and a little gold chain
for me! Then I preceded on to CITY MALL... where I have managed to replace my
crumbling bag and my tar covered flip flops.. stuff is NOT cheap here.. they pay
about 35% more than we do for average stuff!
When I arrived back at the Keminski there was a man in the lobby, in full field
regalia, serving coffee and dates! Really, just the pick me up a girl needs when
she's pooped from shopping. Tomorrow is my last full day in Jordan. I'll be having
another grueling day of mani/pedi pool and massage.. I'm off to my room to watch
one of the 23 channels and have room service..

Farewell Lunch at the 4 Seasons

MiMI Suzi Marylin

Bowling!

Room at the Kempinski

Kempinski

Yes, I am now registered in two hotels. Most of my stuff is still at Al Manar but
the rest is with me at the Kempinski. I am staying here for the last part of my trip.
I mean good grief, a girl needs to get herself together sometime. My room is beyond
belief. I have a huge double bed, a marble bath complete, with a blow dryer. I have
no idea what my hair looks like but I hope to see it today. I will rejoin the group
on Saturday evening for the farewell dinner and of course, my flight home. I hope
to be back in Bagdad by the bay by Sunday evening. Remember we are 10 hours ahead
here.
The hotels have water because they truck it in. This hotel has real flushing toliets and great showers. They also have a spa and you can have massages in your
room or in the spa. I am going to head to the pool in a few minutes for lunch and
swims. In the late afternoon I will go to the gold market to pick up a couple things.
That is all I have on my schedule, the group meeting to "evaluate" the trip was
just not on my schedule.
By the way I did try and get into the 4 Seasons but they where booked. Seems there
is an Arab League meeting this week-end and they are booked. Big hotels here do not
cost what they do in the US..the 4 Seasons would have been about $185, including breakfast. The Kempinski is $149 including breakfast. These are 5+ star hotels, to
say the least Jordan needs tourists.
I am going to try and download some photos.. My buddies Marylin and MiMi left last
night. I am sad with out them, but I'll try and carry on. Marylin has been sick the
whole trip and MiMi's grandmother died so they split! I am about the only one that
didn't get sick..

Packed Suitcase

Please notice that there are NO CLOTHES packed!

Wednesday

Well I am up and ready to get on the bus. Of course, I'm not in Arabic so I have
plenty of time to update the blog. Now I see why my students cut class. The day
just flows so much better with one less thing to do. I am more than ready to leave
Amman and come home. I've had a great time but really, if I don't see hummos, pita
and falafel for a few months I'll be okay.