Flies, Pomegranates and Peaks

This is where OH and I have just been:



I can't even begin to describe how amazing this place is. It is really something that has to be experienced personally. The ancient city itself is vast, and all hewn out of rock which is an absolute work of engineering genius. the surrounding cliffs and walls of the hills and mountains lend to an illusion that everything was covered in carvings, and then you catch sight of a worn out Corinthian pedestal, and some cornicing that fades into another worn piece of rock, then you're not quite sure again.

If you encounter gung-ho Yanks telling you where to go, don't follow their advice if you're not sure or not one for hair-raising adventures. OH and I thought it would be a good idea to go off the beaten track, and found ourselves scaling a set of stairs up to the top of a 12th century fortress, and the last time the stairs were used probably dated from then as well. After getting to the top and enjoying the sublime views, we panicked when all the probable paths down led to sheer drops off the cliff faces. Finally, after taking a Panoramic Pee (tm), we screwed on our adventurers heads and followed the ghost of other footprints, and finally found the way down via some sensible stairs.

This is another wonderful experience:



Stepping into the Dead Sea, the density forces your feet up from beneath you and all you can do is float on your front, or on your back. Lie back and enjoy the sensation of not having to exert yourself, and float with wild abandon. Mind the drift though, you may inadvertantly end up drifting over to Israel, and cause a diplomtic incident. As OH pointed out, if you get shot, the salinity would cause the wound to hurt like fuck.

The constant evaporation of water from the surface creates a wonderful haze that dampens sound all around you, as well as filters out harmful UVB rays. This means you tan without burning, which is fantastic. The mud from the seabed which you can slather on and washed off in the sea makes your skin as smooth as a baby's bottom.

The low season allows for a completely deserted experience, as no one else is around. We had 30 staff waiting on us at the Dead Sea resort. The one drawback are the multitudes of flies that are around during the day, but mysteriously disappear before sundown, so dining al fresco in the evening is thoroughly pleasant.

And for pomegranates? They are delicious with most things, especially baba ganoush and as a late night snack.

*wink*

Giving up the ghost....

...of London Town.

Recently I had to go back to London for work, and I had to experience:

- being pushed off a train because "it is rush hour and my suitcase was excessive on the train"

- "winds too strong to manouvre the DLR"

- "You're not from here so don't complain"

I've got back to my comfort zone to:

- Devise a cassoulet recipe

- Welcome OH back from work

- Pack for Jordan (no, not the big titty thing, the country) because when you type in "Jordan" I urge you to shield your eyes.

The week that was

Highlights included:

- finishing one tower of a set of Lego

- drinking 7 steins at the local beerfest

- eating tom kha gai three days in a row

- white Alba truffles from Italy, bought by my assistant, and black truffles in cognac, bought in the local market in Geneva

- a trip over the boarder into France to stock up on wine and cheese, and rendering the car a stink wagon

- dinner with great friends with more truffles, and foie gras

- upcoming trip to London to see other friends and enjoy the fireworks

- writing up my Christmas list (explanation to follow soon)