Fifteen and Counting…in Taif

It’s hard to believe fifteen years can pass so quickly, but when they’re spent with your best friend time can seem so fleeting. As my sister so wonderfully penned, “I can't believe you've been married for 15 years. 15 years--almost 5 kids, 5 states, 3 jobs, 3 degrees, 2 countries, 2 dogs, and 1 happy family.” We’ve had many wonderful memories-in meager times and in times of plenty. Our ultimate blessings number nearly five. We took these blessings and spent our anniversary in the city of Taif. It’s about two hours east and a bit south of Jeddah. It would have been a quicker drive, but non-Muslims have to skirt way around Makkah (Mecca).
We reached Taif in the early afternoon. Taif lies at the top of some fairly impressive mountains. As Dano guesstimated we drove switchbacks straight up the mountain between four and five thousand feet in a matter of less than ten miles. The temperature quickly dropped a dramatic twenty degrees to a nice, comfortable eighty degrees. We reached the hotel at the beginning of a fantastic electrical (thunderstorm). It was the first thunderstorm we’ve seen in Saudi, probably the first one Abby can recall as she sat dumbstruck and wide-eyed. There was even a downpour while we were checking in. Unfortunately by the time we left our room to head outside to play in the rain, it had passed. We drove to the nearby town of Al Hada and rode a cable car back down the mountains. The view was amazing and the ride peaceful.
We were a little curious to see which of our children would show the first signs of reluctance due to the great heights, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The twenty-minute cable car ride stopped at a swimming/fun park down below. The pools were segregated with the women’s being much smaller and uninhabited. There was one slide on the women’s side and about six slides and a wave pool on the men’s side. We wondered what attire the women would even swim in! There was also a toboggan ride similar to a summertime bobsled ride. This was great fun! (of which we would have taken pictures had photography not been prohibited) Kennedy and Ethan rode by themselves, I paired up with Erin and Dano paired up with Abby. The speed was controlled by two levers which also served as the brakes. It would have been even more fun if the two Arabic men and two Arabic women in front of us kept going the entire distance instead of stopping several times. I’m not sure if the speed was concerning to them or the sharp turns that rival many roller coaster rides. I did shout back to Dano that this is what happens when women aren’t allowed to drive!

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing baboons again. This time I was camera-ready.
There were more than we could count. This totally thrilled the children as well. The monkeys are obviously used to having people stop and stare as they are prepared to receive handouts. It was really precious to see the mommies carrying the babies. The males quite noticeably govern the pack. While we were trying to share bananas, one selfish male kept taking them. Clearly they were local monkeys as each male had many females and each female acquiesced to him. When I would pitch a female a banana she would not accept it if the male was anywhere near her. It was interesting to watch them shield their babies from the male. Another male-dominated society. It was truly a unique and memorable experience, part of which we have included here.



What you can't see in the video is his teeth! And what you may not be able to hear is Dano saying, "I'm glad your window was up." Boy, me too!

We have been so blessed over the past fifteen years and count each of your friendships part of those blessings. We look forward to the next fifteen years (and more) as we continue making memories on Lister Lane.