Get me to a chopper
Well, the evacuation should happen in the next few days. People are saying that Thursday should be the absolute last day that we are here. I'm excited about donating a bunch of my clothes to the people of Lebanon. I need a new wardrobe anyways. And I bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker gold label in Syria that I was hoping to bring back to a bunch of the uncles, but the only let you take one small bag with you. I guess that means I'll have to drink it on my own. I will be going to class tomorrow, and I am excited to continue to learn.
We played soccer and basketball today which was fun, but we are confined to the campus. I am sad to be leaving these people soon, but I look forward to seeing all of you back in the states. We continue to watch Lebanon getting bombed, but I just can't talk about it anymore. I hope this post finds all of you doing well. Hope to see you soon.
Peace and love
Josh
PS If you could call your congressperson, and say something about the American citizens in Lebanon having to pay money it could help many of us out here who do not want to worry about money. All of the other embassies have been and continue to evacuate their citizens for no charge. (French, British, Swiss, Dutch, etc...)
We played soccer and basketball today which was fun, but we are confined to the campus. I am sad to be leaving these people soon, but I look forward to seeing all of you back in the states. We continue to watch Lebanon getting bombed, but I just can't talk about it anymore. I hope this post finds all of you doing well. Hope to see you soon.
Peace and love
Josh
PS If you could call your congressperson, and say something about the American citizens in Lebanon having to pay money it could help many of us out here who do not want to worry about money. All of the other embassies have been and continue to evacuate their citizens for no charge. (French, British, Swiss, Dutch, etc...)
posted by Josh | 2:06 PM
27 Comments:
So glad to hear that you are safe, Josh. Too bad you must cut your trip short- but what matters most is that you come home safe and sound. On a completely different note- Cali had her puppy. That's right- one puppy- a boy. Anyway- stay safe- see you soon.
Man, a nation of cheapskates. Here's a link for anyone who wants to make a call or send an irate email.
It won't exactly be Miss Saigon but sparing the theatrics will be worth the safe exit.
Seriously.
Megan and I will be back in San Francisco by August 25th and we'll make a trip to LA shortly thereafter. Hopefully we can take you out to dinner and a hookah -
peace
Sweet. Good to hear you are coming home. When the chopper takes you away, you have to be that guy who stands on the skid and hangs out the side of the cabin area waving to everyone below (golden locks blowing in the wind of course). I will be starting my camping trip Thursday morning. So i will see you at the end of the month. Take care bro.
Josh,
I am so glad to hear you are safe and sound in Byblos. You had us all worried to death.
You will have stories to tell you grandchildren.
WE will have to have a big get together when you get home.
Love You
Bev
glad to hear it. sherman's going to hear about this!
Hey Wilson,
I'm glad to hear you're coming home, I was actually getting a bit worried about you :) Sucks that you have top leave some stuff there but adding to what MB and John said, you can get brightly colored polos all over the place back home :) Anyways, safe travels and I'll see you when I'm back down in LA.
Rosemary
There's gonna be a BBQ waiting for you at the LaSalle.
So come home and let's party!
And please don't worry about clothes, i have a bunch of tiny shirts you can borrow.
As for a hasty escape that will not be a burden on your wallet, I prepose the following:
1. Make use of the monocle, ascot and tophat that you purchased whilst in London.
2. While wearing said attire, approch an English chopper and say the follow, "Alright, lads, let's get this whirly-bird into the great blue. Me and the boys at the Wilson Manor have polo match at half-past."
3. Pull out your pocket watch and take a sip from a bloody mary and non-chalantly step on to the chopper.
4. Exit the country and enjoy life as British aristocrat.
I was working the phones this morning. Called Harman, Waters, Sherman, and Waxman. They all lodged my complaints about the cost and most were at least nice enough to pretend like they were equally outraged. Sherman's guy said that he knew they would probably be using the british choppers, but didn't think they would be charging.
Anyway, nothing new to report, except that I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!
That's OK Josh they sell Johnnie Walker in the states too!!!
Joe
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Josh,
don't worry about the bottle of Johnnie Walker ... as we'll have some Maker's Mark waiting for ya! Be careful, and get the heck out of there ... if even with only the clothes on your back!
PS
Josh,
I think your uncles should by you some Johnnie Walker. Hurry home. Its not the same without. Stay safe.
We've sent email messages to our Congressional delegation expressing our disgust with current U.S. policy. Their lack of action is continuing to keep you in a dangerous and volatile situation. Friends are doing the same and I called a few Hill staffers I know.
I'm starting to think of you as our own Richard the Lionhearted. He was held for ransom after coming home from the Crusades.
Josh...just got back from two and a half weeks with Nanc's family in Texas and Arkansas...was away from email and news. Just heard about the evacuation this morning on NPR, and have been reading online since...including your blogs. I HEAR YOU about terrorism, and I am so sad, worried, angry for you and your neighbors right now. I will call Congress for you and anything else you ask. I think John had a good idea, just wish Oliver Stone was there to film you in the chopper. Bless you brother. Sorry not to have checked in sooner. Bates
It is totally surreal to watch these events unfold on TV and to know that you are in the middle of it all. I'm glad to hear you'll be leaving soon, and I have some great places in Culver City I want to show you, but somehow, I think this can wait! It's hard for a lot of people to beleive that my cousin is in Lebanon right now, but I think it really says something about the kind of person you are. Brothers don't shake hands, BROTHERS GOTTA HUG!
Josh, Crazy watching the news tonight with even more concern and interest. Thanks for keeping us posted. What a story you have to tell. Sounds like you are staying safe and keeping a cool head. We can't wait to hear that you are safe back at home. I knew this trip would be a life changing event for you, but even greater with this experience. Can't wait to hear more stories when you return home. We love you, Nancy
Josh-
I just returned from Vegas. I had a few drinks in honor of you! Anyway - don't worry about the whiskey - it's not like any of your uncles need the stuff! I am sure they are more than willing to get you pie eyed when you are safely returned.
I will be on the phone tomorrow to congress people. Good ole U.S. I bet if there was a democrat in office you would not be charged! ;)
By the way - I like your friend Dan's advise. What a character. AND - love the pictures of you not looking too worried. Looks like a great group of people. The bombing pictures are scary... Be safe.
Love-
Donna
Josh,
(Thank you to "pryorlorentz" for the link information.) I sent the following to my 3 reps and as many others I could copy and paste to. I hope they will repond! I will be on the phone tomorrow.
Ms. Feinstein,(Boxer, Gallegy)
My nephew, Joshua Wilson, is currently in Lebanon. He saved years in order to attend university to learn middle eastern languages. Now that the conflict has begun, he has been informed that he will have to pay for his safe evacuation and passage outside of the zone. I find this disgusting! All of the other countries putting together evacuations are not charging their citizens! Do we not care about the safety of our own?
I am a Democrat as your are. Our compassion should be shown. Joshua chose to go to a country and learn just part of Middle Eastern culture, customs, and language in order to understand the world a little more. Do we not want to support the younger generation that is willing to communicate and live in a peaceful world?
I hope you will find the time to respond to me and give me information as to how I can help my nephew. Since he is a teacher, his income is very low. He should not be worrying about how he is going to pay back his own country.
With respect,
Donna Mockenhaupt
E-mail from Josh this morning.
The evac is suppose to happen in the next 2-3 days. We really are safe here, and are not leaving the campus. Other people from the campus are being less smart about it, but I'm not going to make any mistakes.
We will keep everyone updated as we get information.
Josh!!
Im so happy that you are safe. I am so sorry that you have had to cut this magical, amazing journey short but Im sure you wouldnt have traded it for anything. When you get back we are going to have a welcome home party full to the brim with love and hugs. La Salle with rock with love for you Josh!! We are all thinking about you every day and sit in the La Salle living room thinking what your day has been like and what lay ahead. Im sure this experience has changed you in ways that you have yet to recognize and might find hard to articulate, but dont worry about that now. Just surround yourself with all of the beauty that you see each and every day. Enjoy the wonderful friendships you have made and the culture that has grown so near to your heart. Well all be here for you with open arms when you get back.
Take care Josh!!!
Anna
That sucks that you have too pay to get out but don't worry about the money we will have a naked car wash to raise money for you. I think I can be the eye candy for that, Dude we'll make loads of cash! We'll even make money for your welcome home party. GET HERE SAFE ASAP! Ps, if in any case the car wash dosen't work we could always sell candy or get ourselves in a piramid scam that always work... peace
eloy
Call from Josh this morning 7:30 AM.
He and some friends heard about room on a boat out of Lebanon. They called and got on the Norwegian evacuation boat to Cyprus and he anticipates it will take him several days to get off of Cyprus. There will be a great deal of people there looking for flights.
We will let you know more as we receive updates from Josh.
P.S. The Norwegian government is not charging any of them for the ride.
Josh,
Good to hear you are getting out on that Norwegian ship. I will buy you all the Johnnie Walker or Markers you want when you are back home and safe. We will definetly have a big party. I got fireworks left over from the 4th. See you then.
Uncle Joe
PS
If you see any cute Norwegian girls on that ship you could take pictures of them.
Josh, it's your distant cousins here. We heard about what was going on with you and we wanted to extend our thoughts and prayers to you. You are such an amazing young man, we are in awe of this journey you are on. We are glad that you are safe and that you will be returning home soon. We hope to hear some of your stories later on!
Take care,
The Mountains
Thanks for the update, Saraj. Go Norwegians! I'm booking a cruise to check out the fjords NOW!
Hi Friends,
We just received a phone call from Josh at 9:00 pm pdt. He has arrived in Cypress and has secured a hotel room. He will catch a flight on Thursday from Cypress to London. He is still making arrangements to fly from London to LAX and anticipates arriving on either American or United at 5:00 pm pdt. I told him that his Uncle Greg would secure a bump up to business or first cllass if he got on a United flight. His boat trip was awful. It took them 11 hours on a cargo ship with nowhere to sit annd vomit and flies everywhere. Needless to say, he is thankful to be in Cypress and plans to do some sightseeing tomorrow. Will update you when I hear anything new. He is looking forward to the party on Saturday and hopefully seeing all of you!!
Josh's Mom
P.S. Josh spoke with a CNN reportet so watch for him.
Hey everyone
here's CNN's story covering the student evacuation from Lebanon to Cyprus and . (Be sure to check the video link from that page.)
Thanks to Josh's fam for all the updates along the way -
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