Saturday

Wow! It has been a long day, and we still have longer to go. The team met at 8:00 this morning in Sandi and Nancy's room for our usual morning devotional. And of course, we all had to sing happy birthday to Rachel, our birthday girl!

It has been a day walking, shopping, and of shuffling suitcases back and forth. Since most of us had to check out, we had to store all of the suitcases in the two rooms of the team members who are leaving tomorrow. The hotel thought that Leigh Ann and Ashley were staying instead of Jim and Eric, and that led to considerable confusion, but we (or to be honest Anya and Sandi) got it worked out.

Most of the morning was spent at a local vendor market (Islamova sp?). It was raining, but that didn't slow us down much, and we think that maybe the vendors were a little more willing to haggle. Several of our team members now think that one of their "gifts" is negotiating prices down!

Then we came back to the hotel for another time of devotion and communion. Steve gave the devotional, and Sandi tolk us how pleased she is that we have come together as a team and led us in communion. It was truly a moving experience. Sandi and Nancy presented team members with a gift to help us remember the trip by (as if we could ever forget), and Sandi presented Nancy with a gift (a beautiful box).

Then we were off for more shopping on Arbot (sp?) street and dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. We actually have managed to travel on the subway four times without losing anyone (but we do still have to get to the train station tonight, and I'm predicting that if anone gets lost it will be me!). We presented Rachel with a card and a small gift and the Hard Rock, and although we weren't able to pull off a cake, she did get a candle on her ice cream Sunday.

We are now back at the hotel and will leave for the train station at 11:00 (pretty late for me, but the "kids" are really excited about it).

Chaela hasn't come down, so I'll try to get some pictures up, but as you might have guessed, she is the technical member of the team.

Your all "shopped out" and "walked out" blogger,
Sharon

Sorry, the only memory card I have doesn't seem to be compatible with this computer. I'll try later. We do have some beautiful pictures of the city and of Rachel today.