Sadie participated in her first (and hopefully not only) Model UN, hosted by the Rosary Sisters High School. She represented Hungary on health-related policy issues. She learned a lot about the volume of preparation involved in the process, and enjoyed the chance to be away from home and hang out with schoolmates.

Christy and I have re-started our Arabic lessons and have quickly been reminded of the many quirks in its alphabet and pronunciations, as well as how accents can vary from city to city, if not neighborhood to neighborhood. Riley has taken up boxing as a school extracurricular. In addition to joining the school band, Sadie has also taken up soccer with a local school league. Christy went on an overnight trip to Nazareth, and I enjoyed an evening with local acquaintances on the roof of Ecce Homo in the Old City.

In the spirit of Warner Wolf, “Let’s go to the videotape!”

First up: Sadie on the grounds of Notre Dame – outside the Old City – where Model UN took place.

Sadie with her schoolmates as they handed out awards on the final day of the event.

And now some views from the hotel stayed in on her overnight in Nazareth…

And then there was the sign below, which clearly has a lot to unpack.

Meanwhile, just outside the Old City, I came across some pilgrims hanging out across from the Nablus St. bus station.

Found some creative destruction in downtown Beit Hanina.

The Google translation on the image below is “No handshakes. Greet from a distance.” Especially when it involves redheads like me.

Seen on the bus the kiddos took to school one morning.

We’ll end with this lovely tile (By Old City artist Vic. Just Vic.) that Christy special-ordered for our recent wedding anniversary. Peace, y’all.