OK...I'm back, for awhile

Hello All!

I must first apologize for not doing a post in such a long time. I have been very busy for a couple of reasons. First Debra and I went on a fabulous 3 week holiday to the UAE, Turkey and Spain. Then when I returned to Kabul I had to turn around and head back to Canada where I attended a International Police Conference in Kelowna (what are the odds...). Following Kelowna I was off to Burnaby BC for an interview on my next job (which I was successful on...yeah!), and finally back to Kabul where I have been busy getting ready to turn "the keys" over to my successor in the next several days.

I have lots to share and of course a pile of pictures from our trip. So, for the sake of clarity the pictures are as follows from bottom to top:

1) Beach in Dubai in front of our resort...incredible.

2) Grassed area of our resort where we would go to hide from the heat.

3) View of the ocean from our hotel in Istanbul.

4) Debra's "Force Protection" in Istanbul. One morning I was in dire need of a coffee and had to leave in search of one. I asked the hotel security to provide "protection" for Debra until I got back...I had my fingers crossed that Debra wasn't going to fall in love while I was gone! The one guy was a International Kick Boxing champion (I still could have taken him).

5) A tunnel in one of the Underground Cities in Capadocia Turkey. Centuries ago, people carved entire cities underground as a means of hiding and protection from invaders. They intentionally made the entrances very small, so they could attack the invaders if they happened to find the entrance. This picture was taken 8 stories under ground and the city could hold up to 100,000 people.

6) Also in Capadocia just outside our hotel. As the years went on, people would carve houses into the hills and mountains. They are all over Capadocia and some were quite extensive with entire communities living in one mountain.

7) Dinner with Cristel and Claus in Barcelona. We were so lucky to meet up with Debra's cousin and her husband and spend a couple days together. We had such a great time and it was really a shame to have to say goodbye.

8) Debra took a picture of this guy on the beach in Barcelona. We couldn't believe it when he started walking up to us..I know the Europeans are quite liberated, but this guy was funny. He saw Debra taking the picture, waved and walked right up and asked if she wanted to have a picture with him....Debra politely declined. I edited the photo, but I can tell you...his mother must be very proud.

That's it for now and I will do another post in the next couple of days!