Well, we fly out today. First to New York (five hour layover--where's the bar?); next to Amman Jordan (11 hours); finally to Damascus. We will arrive there @9:30 pm (3:30 pm here). Embassy is sending a car to pick us up. Wonder if there'll be little flags on it?

Jill was packed three weeks ago; I can't find a suitcase. Since we are taking gifts for our participants, we have a suitcase jammed with pens, notebooks, etc. generously donated by our respective schools. But that means we'll have an empty suitcase coming back. What ever will we fill it with? I'm sure Jill will find something.

We are taking laptop, video camera, still camera, phonograph (just kidding). The hotel (here's link http://www.hananiahotel.com/) is supposed to have WIFI. Wow. So, we hope we will be able to post photos of our adventure while we're there.