Qadisha Valley

We spent Tuesday-Thursday of this week in the Qadisha Valley in northern Lebanon with the MCC staff from Lebanon & Syria. We stayed at St. Anthony's Monastery, seen below.

The valley was gorgeous, and we got the first real glimpse of autumn we've had in the Middle East.  It was nice and cold at night, as well as super dark and quiet.  We played games and ate junk food and explored the area.  Ryan and I really enjoyed getting to know the MCC staff from Syria.  We also had a non-MCC volunteer with us from Damascus who is good friends with the others, so he was invited along as well!

In addition to the 7 adults, we had a three year old and a six week old with us!  That added a fun dimension for us, and I relished the chance to snuggle with an infant again.

Some of our time in Qadisha Valley reminded me of Yosemite, especially the picture below.  I can't express how refreshing it was to be in cold, clear mountain air after the dusty, smoggy cities we've been in for the last few months.  It was a true retreat.