Man, it seems like since August, I've done nothing but travel. 2 trips out to the East, 3 (and after tomorrow, 4) out to the West, and 10 days in Japan...Add in a week in the field here in Riyadh, and it really feels like I've done nothing but travel.

Not that I mind, of course...when I got confirmed in the Catholic Church, I picked St. Christopher as my patron saint, since he's the patron saint of travelers.

Frankly, any chance to get out of Riyadh is welcome...for all its charm and sophistication...oh yeah, there's not really too much of that other than a couple of beautiful malls. It's really pretty drab, dusty, with lots of garbage blowing around in the wind. There are some nice parts, but there are a lot of others that are not so nice...

Jeddah on the other hand, is beautiful. Along the corniche and scattered throughout the many traffic circles are about 400 sculptures. Add that to some nice beaches, and generally beautiful weather and gorgeous sunsets over the Red Sea, and it's a welcome change to life in Riyadh.

Will post more when I get back.

Mrs. F has a friend visiting right now, and has gotten to do some great sightseeing. Isn't it strange that when you live in a city, you don't go and do anything except when people come visit? We lived in DC for 3 years and had to make an effort to go out and see museums, monuments, etc...

Anyway, here are a few pictures that she took with her phone and emailed me (technology is amazing...). She'll add more real pictures later on...

Mt. Fuji from Indian Restaurant

Shiraito Waterfall

Night Tokyo from the Tokyo Tower