So at 2:45 am this morning, I look at the alarm clock thinking, "It must be almost daylight!". Again at 4:00. And finally at 5:30 I give up sleeping and start my day. After a leisurely morning and breakfast, I begin the long down to the Pilgrim Reception Center (PRC). I know there are public stairs here somewhere that will lead me down to the lower streets, but I only seem to find the ones leading to someone's doorstep. So I take the long, but certain way and arrive at the PRC 40 minutes later. (Remember, this is all on the side of a rather large
mountain so streets don't go straight up and down!) After registering at the PRC, I force the social side of myself out and get to know some people while waiting for the first orientation session. The theme today seems to be "hurry up and wait" (as my mom would say). So after orientation I step down to the neighborhood grocer to pick up fixings for an early lunch (I'm starving!), eat, chat some more, and wait... and wait... Until finally our guide's orientation begins (many of you will know Mrs. Grossman, a wonderful German lady who has served as a guide her for many years).
Then one of the highlights -- the first visit to the Shrine of the Bab. For those who have never visited the Baha'i Gardens before, this must surely be a special moment. I was here, however, several years ago on a 3 day visit so I know what to expect and the experience, while wonderful, is not as moving for me as it is for some of our large group. By the time we finish prayers in the Shrine, the sun is nearly set and the wind has picked up, making it chilly. I spend a few minutes on the terrace immediately below the Shrine taking pictures then head back to the warmth of the PRC. Also, I wanted to make sure and get a front row seat for the talk by Hand of the Cause Dr. Varqa. What a pleasure to hear him speak, even though I was beginning to get tired and hungry. That ended the program for the day so I headed to catch a sherut to an unknown dinner. But I was pleasantly surprised to meet up with my finace's brother and 2 of his friends who work at the Baha'i World Center and managed to get them to take me somewhere for dinner. Wonderfully nice boys (all from Ghana) and all very much gentlemen. They will be hosting an African party Friday evening, so I'm sure to have lots of fun then! A quick dinner, then they escorted me to my hotel where I promptly crashed for the night.
mountain so streets don't go straight up and down!) After registering at the PRC, I force the social side of myself out and get to know some people while waiting for the first orientation session. The theme today seems to be "hurry up and wait" (as my mom would say). So after orientation I step down to the neighborhood grocer to pick up fixings for an early lunch (I'm starving!), eat, chat some more, and wait... and wait... Until finally our guide's orientation begins (many of you will know Mrs. Grossman, a wonderful German lady who has served as a guide her for many years).
Then one of the highlights -- the first visit to the Shrine of the Bab. For those who have never visited the Baha'i Gardens before, this must surely be a special moment. I was here, however, several years ago on a 3 day visit so I know what to expect and the experience, while wonderful, is not as moving for me as it is for some of our large group. By the time we finish prayers in the Shrine, the sun is nearly set and the wind has picked up, making it chilly. I spend a few minutes on the terrace immediately below the Shrine taking pictures then head back to the warmth of the PRC. Also, I wanted to make sure and get a front row seat for the talk by Hand of the Cause Dr. Varqa. What a pleasure to hear him speak, even though I was beginning to get tired and hungry. That ended the program for the day so I headed to catch a sherut to an unknown dinner. But I was pleasantly surprised to meet up with my finace's brother and 2 of his friends who work at the Baha'i World Center and managed to get them to take me somewhere for dinner. Wonderfully nice boys (all from Ghana) and all very much gentlemen. They will be hosting an African party Friday evening, so I'm sure to have lots of fun then! A quick dinner, then they escorted me to my hotel where I promptly crashed for the night.
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