Anybody ever heard of "Ur"? Ancient Sumerian city? Mentioned in Genesis as "Ur of the Chaldeans"?

It's pretty much in ruins now, as one might expect. Their Ziggurat, however, is still standing. Mostly.

It's not far from here. Tours are available; I got to go on one.

It's incredible. I could literally feel the history pouring off of it. Or maybe it was magic. Dunno. Duncare.

It's been partially rebuilt, as have been several of the more minor buildings in the area: a few temples, the Shuggi Palace (spelling approximate) and the Home of Abraham. Yes, that Abraham. I learned him as Avraheem (that's the Hebrew pronunciation), but it's the same guy.

The home, according to the guide, was rebuilt in 1999 from the surviving foundation because the Pope (now deceased) wanted to visit and pray in "the Home of Abraham."

However, the local ruler, who had initially given permission, claimed he was not responsible for the safety of the Pope.

From a national leader, that amounts to reasonably powerful threat.

I didn't get any pictures. The plan was to purchase a disposable camera before I went; it never occurred to me the local PX might be completely out of disposable cameras. But, I might be able to get digital copies of someone else's. We'll see. I'll post them if I get them.

In other news, I am slowly going nucking futs from being our_meg-less. E-mail and phone conversations are good for communication, but they're lousy for snuggling, kissing, hugging and trading body temperatures. I can just see her taking a bag of ice to bed every night, except it wouldn't absorb as much of her excess heat as I gladly would.

Temperatures, so close to one hundred forty degrees in the shade when we got here, are rapidly approaching seventy degrees in the sun. Clouds, which once were light, wispy things that appeared at night and burned off just after dawn, are now more familiar-looking thunderheads that last for days at a time, slowly drifting in the winds.

This place is sometimes referred to as: "an ancient land." It's not, really. It's the same age as the rest of the world. But the feel out here is different. It seems older.

There are plans to turn this area into a tourist trap. Maybe someday I can return with my wife and child to see the Ziggurat.