When we left South Africa for Jordan and Israel, I expected really cold weather. Nothing compared to the polar vortex that our friends back home are enduring, but cold enough that boots, hats, and jackets might be required. We had hail and snow in Petra and Wadi Rum and then all of the sudden it was spring.
Jerusalem’s trees flowered. Tulips greeted us in Istanbul. (Istanbul planted 7 MILLION tulip bulbs this year and apparently the Turkish Sultan Ahmet III was known as the Tulip King.) In Cappadocia, I saw carpets of small purple wild flowers and shrubs with delicate pink flowers that I don’t recall in Turkish but I think are barberry. Rome’s grand streets were lined with flowering plum trees, its courtyards covered in wisteria. And now, we are in Paris. Glorious Paris.
It’s a fanciful image but I feel like I’m experiencing a scene from Disney’s Fantasia – the one set to the Rites of Spring when the fairy flies over the land and all that was dormant is made to thrive again. No matter how mild or miserable the winter, spring makes it all better.
A special hello and happy birthday to Anthony. Tania’s little boy turned 2 on April 2 but today’s his party. We love and miss you guys. Turn your Skype on!!
Photos of Spring as the Fairy works her magic:
Wadi Rum
Jerusalem:
Istanbul and Cappadocia
Rome’s Flowering Trees
Paris. Glorious Paris.
Davidson Big Trip 
I didn’t bring my computer!!! Hopefully T did. We are at Toy r us to get bib boy bed
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Do facetime?
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awwww I love you guys so much thank you for calling today and for the birthday wish for Anthony!!!!!!!!!!!!!He is so big and beautiful he was so excited about the bike grandma Karol got him. I love you all so much and miss you !!!!!!!!!!!!!Enjoy Paris !!!
Went to see Rodin Sculpture Garden Museum and THOUGHT of you! Get it? We took a photo of you posing as The Thinker in 2001…
Spring flowers need more showers here!! So beautiful, really great, yeah for spring. Antony, the best, quiet, and wonderful birthday party. Thank you all for this experience we are all so fortunate and blessed. Love you all!! Keep the data of the world coming. Davidson style; classy, educational, informative, data complete, full circle, all inclusive and fun loving or simply said, a great read!!
Love you all
BCP
April in Paris….how great that is.
Nothing like Paris in the Spring time, or any time