When my husband, Martin and I served in the Peace Corp in l989, in Tunisia, we learned the language and studied the culture, while traveling through much of the country. Our sites included a tour of the ruins at Carthage. We became familiar with Mid-Eastern cuisine and were able to prepare a good Tunisian couscous. Stateside, we managed to substitute foods that were available for a Tunisian meal. We are in contact with many life-long friends. But we can’t go to Tunisia now.
On a trip to Egypt, we immersed ourselves in Egyptian mythology. At the museum in Cairo we saw the mummified remains of the pharaohs and other rulers of ancient times. While cruising the Nile between Cairo and Luxor we witnessed people swimming in the Nile River without any fear of crocodiles. There supposedly were thousands of crocodiles walled on the other side of the Aswan Dam. However, when we visited the Aswan Dam, not a single croc showed its face. We can’t go to Egypt today.
A three- day excursion to Damascus, Syria, was included in a visit to Jordon and Israel. We combed the shouk, hunting for special spices that friends and relatives requested. Marty and I walked through the entire old city and quenched our thirst with marvelous mango drinks. When people learned that we were from the U.S., we were welcomed. We can’t go to Syria now.
bestofbarbara 
Yes, it’s very sad how politics and war have destroyed places so filled with culture, making travel too dangerous. So glad you had the many opportunities to see the world.
Thanks, Lisa. You saw a bit of the world other than from the seat of a bicycle.We should be able to do more travelling.
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As we make attempts to plan future vacations we are aware of how many places we’d like to see that are no longer viable. Wat a shame that there is so much hate and violence in this world.
Thank you Ronnie. Hope the world will open up for us, again
So true. A powerful reminder that what we do in the world, changes the world. Let’s change it for the better, not the worse.
Thank you, Louise. Amen!
I agree. I remember taking World History in High School. I passed because I knew Biblical history. The fact that many of these sites have been damaged is heartbreaking. i had hoped to travel to all these places. We can continue to strive for a goal of world peace.
Thank you Judy. All of our learning experiences help us .
It is sad. You are blessed for having been. Peace – how elusive it is inspite of so many wanting it.
Peace is like a marriage. We have to keep working at it. Thank you for your comment
Wow. Thank you for sharing this story. We always hope for progress and clearly this is the sad reality.
Thank you, Judy. What is progress? We correct one problem and create 50 more. Yet, I am happy to enjoy the progress that has been acheived in my lifetime and hope we acheive more, not less.
What a wonderful attitude and thanks for you positive words.
My daughter lives in Israel, surrounded by these places that have changed in such powerfully sad ways. This is a wonderful post, about those changes. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thank you. Maybe one day we’ll lear not to take two steps forward and three steps back, and we will see more changes for the better.
From your mouth…
Luckily, you can go back to Israel, if you so wish, and see a continuation of that ancient culture as it adds life, culture and innovation to the present day world.
Thank you Shimon. I hope we will always be able to go back to Israel.Stay well so you can be my guide on my next visit
Dear Barbara, The world doesn’t always seem to be progressing in a positive way. Nevertheless I think it is impressive that you and Marty were able to balance family responsibilities and public service so successfully and had fun too. Incidentally, I received yesterday a travel brochure from my college alumni association describing a trip to Myanmar next fall. So, although Egypt, Tunisia and Syria can no longer be visited, we can go to Burma! Glad you too are safely back from Wyoming. I’m off to Atlanta tomorrow. Warm regards and love, Robert
Thank you Robert. Have a good trip and keep well. Love to hear about Myanmar> That’s on our list.
Beautiful memories…against the current backdrop of mankind’s inability to coexist harmoniously. The Peace Corps has been a great attempt at resolving the seemingly impossible. hugs for serving…
Lots of hugs to you, Mamma. Thank you. I’m grateful for those memories.
Lots of hugs to you, Mamma. Thank you. I’m grateful for those memories.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts!
Ditto to the expressions of sadness expressed by others about the constraints that exist between countries. Not that constraints between countries haven’t always existed. I recall going to East Berlin, through Check Point Charlie, before the Berlin Wall was toppled. I also remember visiting the DMZ in Korea and listening to the propaganda spewed from the North and that was manifested in the museum located on the South Korean side of the Zone. It just seems to me that we humans have always found reasons and ways to separate ourselves. I suppose one lesson for me is to take advantage of and cherish every opportunity that comes my way.
Barbra, I deeply admire the service you and your husband have rendered via the Peace Corp. I wanted to join the Peace Corp; but couldn’t because I had served in the military. So, I have looked for other ways to change the world for good.
Dear Proud Parententallegr.Thank you for your comments. Tunisia, Egypt and Syria are examples of worlwide situations. we may not be able to change the world we can strive for small changes in our own communities as a start.I admire your service in the military.Keep working for positive changes
Thanks Barbara.
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