Sabratha

Sabratha
On the 10th of February we visited Sabratha , the site of an ancient Roman city about 40km. from Tripoli on the coastal road to Zuara. This city is about 2000 years old and even today the plan of the city, magnificient tall pillars, the theatre building the mosaic work and the remains of oil presses used in those times stand testimomy to the glory that must have been. Standing there on the beach near the pillars which must have been the gates to the empire it is not difficult to imagine the arrival of the mighty Romans via the sea route to stake claim to this land. They must have been great builders...what they built then has been ravaged by nature through the centuries but still stands proudly nevertheless. There is a small museum too, which houses many sculptures and art work of those times. I enjoyed this visit thoroughly.

Tijee

More than a month has passed since I came here and very quickly too! Despite the misgivings of my friends and relatives who thought that I would not be able to survive this solitary life for many days, I find that I have settled down to a very comfortable routine.
And a solitary life it is too! There are no Indian families here and it is difficult to interact with the locals due to language problem….they speak only Arabic which I do not know. So I stay alone at home till Vipin comes home from work.
But I love our relaxed lazy mornings spent with glasses of refreshing Korean Ginseng tea with honey and lemon while watching the news on NDTV. As Vipin gets ready for office I wait happily for Ghosh..the mess helper who brings us a nice hot breakfast and tea. After vipin goes to office and Ghosh and the Sudani who comes to clean the house leave it is time to connect to the internet ,check my mails and find my online friends.
Nona and Suju of course are my regulars who make sure that I remain in touch with all that is happening back home . They give me all the news so that I do not feel that I am away from home . Seeing little Suhani on the webcam just thrills me. Ashu with his chanting of ma..meri ma…stays with me all the time and Googi keeps finding new sites for me to find games on. Swati finds time to keep me updated with her activities. Garima with her occassional ....bua this is Garima...makes me feel that she is nearby. Shyam keeps me updated with share market news...They and all the others who find time from their busy schedule to send mails to me and chat with me ensure that I have company and do not feel lonely.
Some reading and TV and it is time for lunch….we go to the mess for food . After a short break Vipin again goes to office .I take a walk in our garden and then settle down with a cup of tea and my knitting to watch my favourite TV serials . I The evening passes fast and soon after Vipin walks in with dinner.
To add to this are our almost weekly trips to Tripoli , where we spend our free time strolling along the beach, window shopping in the fancy markets and meeting Indian families living there.
So, where is the time to be lonely? Modern technology has ensured that we are never really away from our own people!