Sunday, June 14, 2009


Hi all,

I hope you are well.

Just came back from my yearly big trip. Genevieve (also known from previous posts as Guevarra) and I did an organized trip in Jordan with an extension of 1 week at the Red Sea in Egypt. Fabulous trip. We started the journey with a jeep ride in the desert of Wadi Rum. That night we slept in tents. I have to find the person who said that nights in deserts are always cold, because he/she is going get punched in the face. It was boiling hot in our tent and we were eaten by Mosquitoes! Oh yes, these annoying little insects do live in the desert. Anyway, it was worth the experience.
The next day we visited Petra. Some of you might remember this site from the Indiana Jones movie. Breathtaking!
The next days we visited the capital Amman and some Catholic sites (such as Jesus' Baptism and Moses' burial site). Definitely worthwhile visiting is the Roman ruins of Jerash. The last day we stopped at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. After some floating around, we did a mud treatment. While afterwards your skin feels as soft as a baby's behind, you stink for two days. Afterwards, we went to Taba, Egypt to relax for a week at the Red Sea in an All-in resort. I hadn't done this in years and it was just what I needed. We had a lot of catching up to do on our sleep. It was the ideal vacation to replenish our batteries and absorb as much sunshine as possible.
Pictures are on http://picasaweb.google.com/Rudiinthecity/Jordan2009


All good things come to an end and now I am back in New York.
While last year we maybe had 10 days of rain in Spring and Summer. This year is the exact opposite. Winter lasted too long and Spring is just plain depressing. No stable weather and rain nearly every day. Those days that we are blessed with sunshine, I spent in Central Park. It seems to become a tradition to pack our blanket, food, beer, music and lounge the afternoon away in the sun in my "backyard".

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/Rudiinthecity/SunBathingInCentralPark

Work remains stressful but as usual I try to organize fun events. Last Thursday we had our Spring Party. Another tradition that begins establishing itself, is going to a karaoke bar. I know...me singing...maybe that is why it keeps raining...lol
Well, at least I am having fun.

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/Rudiinthecity/SpringParty

In the meantime, my second Godson is growing at an incredible speed. He is barely three months old but already looks like a 8-month old baby. He is just amazing, love him.




That is it for now.
Take care,

Rudi