tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52638789215010343412024-03-17T14:27:53.206-05:00Kuwait,Kuwait,Don't Tell MeOur lives in the sandboxNWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.comBlogger926125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-41486458827062227802014-02-28T11:51:00.001-06:002014-02-28T11:51:12.000-06:00And on the last day… We "Rested"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Enjoying our last day in Dublin, we took it easy. Of course, breakfast began at the Queen of Tarts, a fabulous restaurant that is right at the bottom of the stairs. Mmm, the food is SO good!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgHrRiMcweNT3kU2mKwKypD8BFW20ldsLUe79EwCWlru45mqKr8z6ZLyeTsfhOqah9P7Lw5P_TXg_jax45mx3J0K2MadUZF80Z7l2SpbkMjn2Ok5GD1TksK_BqXmcxVaEi-Np0oAtronU/s1600/IMG_6441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgHrRiMcweNT3kU2mKwKypD8BFW20ldsLUe79EwCWlru45mqKr8z6ZLyeTsfhOqah9P7Lw5P_TXg_jax45mx3J0K2MadUZF80Z7l2SpbkMjn2Ok5GD1TksK_BqXmcxVaEi-Np0oAtronU/s1600/IMG_6441.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Then we took a stroll around the Temple Bar neighborhood. We might have stopped in a couple pubs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sifm1tqW28uCj1Gi10h83HCWDYAVHIEdXLn9FNFhsa87j2USDTDuQWmvf8YJ60hnfwK1DHUzPp4uUQbspxMXUm_t5F-dHebz63AhZ1DC3EbFW18s25TxRguXS2xYak3by958RCFL0bRP/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sifm1tqW28uCj1Gi10h83HCWDYAVHIEdXLn9FNFhsa87j2USDTDuQWmvf8YJ60hnfwK1DHUzPp4uUQbspxMXUm_t5F-dHebz63AhZ1DC3EbFW18s25TxRguXS2xYak3by958RCFL0bRP/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRWEOulu6torfxsB3qeMu1rl7XMR3CZGkkfSBqqls8Z2dEin3IXJXFBokHYlhxKeiprNaMyPoL8Ne4vtUfmWj269ReD20kVIr_-gFzozSess3Pt6W1p_iIQgJ0B1wng2AUaYngPIAZZNW/s1600/IMG_6468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRWEOulu6torfxsB3qeMu1rl7XMR3CZGkkfSBqqls8Z2dEin3IXJXFBokHYlhxKeiprNaMyPoL8Ne4vtUfmWj269ReD20kVIr_-gFzozSess3Pt6W1p_iIQgJ0B1wng2AUaYngPIAZZNW/s1600/IMG_6468.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoyed a great lunch too!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This saying (below) pretty much sums up my experience in Dublin</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqOM6AmvVSekt3d470ZfS2yPnHwxAZQEwnPAPXTY2zsPEPqnHCHPbEtYk74J8rt9wuaZXUYP6s7mln8PP5pQE3uCMNK1iYjJEwFg-Qd5fkz7mr3uHC6awxPq_o2UsAOd3fd9NAg2Pvxj2/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqOM6AmvVSekt3d470ZfS2yPnHwxAZQEwnPAPXTY2zsPEPqnHCHPbEtYk74J8rt9wuaZXUYP6s7mln8PP5pQE3uCMNK1iYjJEwFg-Qd5fkz7mr3uHC6awxPq_o2UsAOd3fd9NAg2Pvxj2/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
AND we are still smiling' after 5 days! That's the best part!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6T6A4jk7FjbvwWSqCt8p6r9Dz-eqQc_4sWI12CHaMmY4-GpQaMHSCg01zz2Xs57WPeen7ZCsk_IPKzMGg40TdSbDYJFQ2mjWnYE-urM9Y_8LGEV0wnuMCHXlf9H9RPDZI-OLQO642k3k/s1600/IMG_6482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6T6A4jk7FjbvwWSqCt8p6r9Dz-eqQc_4sWI12CHaMmY4-GpQaMHSCg01zz2Xs57WPeen7ZCsk_IPKzMGg40TdSbDYJFQ2mjWnYE-urM9Y_8LGEV0wnuMCHXlf9H9RPDZI-OLQO642k3k/s1600/IMG_6482.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
I'm tired</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-19158157086929155572014-02-27T15:20:00.000-06:002014-02-27T15:20:08.057-06:00A FANTASTIC Day..Sun, Site, Fun…AND Guinness!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H_bmVft_mKkEl5e_3S2zs2oSokEozj84H_psjPOnyCmuBHqcy6cwFVyViiBgx60VagHXyB59sFhRCAveyBvlSRMQFqz90aNcc90WxCSyuNJllkfdNPTXguVLBH2mkBesjBIUMmnRTws2/s1600/IMG_6247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H_bmVft_mKkEl5e_3S2zs2oSokEozj84H_psjPOnyCmuBHqcy6cwFVyViiBgx60VagHXyB59sFhRCAveyBvlSRMQFqz90aNcc90WxCSyuNJllkfdNPTXguVLBH2mkBesjBIUMmnRTws2/s1600/IMG_6247.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
We began our day in our favorite little restaurant (pictures tomorrow) that offered a fantastic breakfast, tea and delightful surroundings. The sun was out in full force today and we made the most of it. We walked through St. Stephen's park, which is a gorgeous, peaceful place in the middle of Dublin (think Central Park in NYC). It was beautiful green and flowers were just starting to sprout. It was a good "Foretaste of the Feast to come" I am forever hopeful that Spring WILL arrive in MN..sometime.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2om_Abuvgys_DwzAForiMnlXXUe0j_oF-VsKOCNmRwXXynkZvPQVzKWOkI1LAmt9WuzXuNh0SM_2hgS8sa2cRzi2dBIRfuF2uTbBfqhJjIQRY4ZrcCw6pxO_GeTQZyns92BWIR1gkGxU/s1600/IMG_6253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2om_Abuvgys_DwzAForiMnlXXUe0j_oF-VsKOCNmRwXXynkZvPQVzKWOkI1LAmt9WuzXuNh0SM_2hgS8sa2cRzi2dBIRfuF2uTbBfqhJjIQRY4ZrcCw6pxO_GeTQZyns92BWIR1gkGxU/s1600/IMG_6253.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
This chap was interesting. He was feeding the birds, including the one sitting on his arm. When we started talking pictures, he asked (in a very American accent) for 1 Euro for the homeless. We weren't sure if he meant himself, the birds or the homeless in general. He said he had just returned the pigeon in his arms after nursing it back from bad health. Great photo op---and what's a Euro (About $1.38 actually!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq64X6hdOOJR4Ow-M8ZSqmrExwF2GGCYwylOxXlGntNXpazJnDdCEuOGGJyuljMq-C9Vr8vz0z1oQOmp-4LfZnDGUcxdKP_wJ6kBqXsWtY6bsl8iRdfAbiDT68xNl5wT9WtApEH8OpSBMo/s1600/IMG_6308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq64X6hdOOJR4Ow-M8ZSqmrExwF2GGCYwylOxXlGntNXpazJnDdCEuOGGJyuljMq-C9Vr8vz0z1oQOmp-4LfZnDGUcxdKP_wJ6kBqXsWtY6bsl8iRdfAbiDT68xNl5wT9WtApEH8OpSBMo/s1600/IMG_6308.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
St. Patrick's Cathedral. Oh my. It was very very very cool. Beautiful architecture, wonderful windows, and we had the Luck of the Irish as there weren't many people there, the sun was just right for pictures and it was wonderful to just sit and reflect.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4XYWzhVGJSOXvWwYo4HL33dKnU_I25lirKq8rv8Zt68TigUNbfCxwGVjdp9vobwqO1PVl1NT7H5LXYaO5ekdCC3KAHAmnaop0Tw3KK823BmF70JephR4OWEwXYQcIjDtGbcRMfTLL3_5/s1600/IMG_6378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4XYWzhVGJSOXvWwYo4HL33dKnU_I25lirKq8rv8Zt68TigUNbfCxwGVjdp9vobwqO1PVl1NT7H5LXYaO5ekdCC3KAHAmnaop0Tw3KK823BmF70JephR4OWEwXYQcIjDtGbcRMfTLL3_5/s1600/IMG_6378.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
A majority of the day was spent at the Guinness Storeroom (museum). Now I really don't like Guinness, but when in Rome… However, in Dublin, the Guinness is FANTASTIC!! We learned a lot about the brewery, and one of my colleagues even took a "Class" on how to pour the perfect pint. It was delightful…and the beer wasn't bad either.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQUXifsjAZuqRHtYSRaDg6YbNR2xLLwlAC8r-XNpOtxZowMP8rq-ri8QUalVHWTBy_DshoyZ_LyXTJLaMeq8l6KxbaLXi1ZAvZSCIgUxLJGwduXiGWYxLM-2qvGtmazCA-xq2-PRaY8yZ/s1600/IMG_6382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQUXifsjAZuqRHtYSRaDg6YbNR2xLLwlAC8r-XNpOtxZowMP8rq-ri8QUalVHWTBy_DshoyZ_LyXTJLaMeq8l6KxbaLXi1ZAvZSCIgUxLJGwduXiGWYxLM-2qvGtmazCA-xq2-PRaY8yZ/s1600/IMG_6382.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the view of Dublin from the top floor of the museum. It was surrounded by windows and quite a lovely spot. We also had the BEST Irish stew. (made with Guinness as the secret ingredient of course). </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87Sa7jerreKXaMD6ErdTR8fMOSQ5OVPMK38vswXIPmfFPmOpHP55sm8PejVJC5kqjZY6X6vPYzdwxVzXEqepWSFbFSXj1b4FV0RWSBKyJ_2pGAVSQfKplf3jbeE7HB18tTo8S4BZh4us-/s1600/IMG_6414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87Sa7jerreKXaMD6ErdTR8fMOSQ5OVPMK38vswXIPmfFPmOpHP55sm8PejVJC5kqjZY6X6vPYzdwxVzXEqepWSFbFSXj1b4FV0RWSBKyJ_2pGAVSQfKplf3jbeE7HB18tTo8S4BZh4us-/s1600/IMG_6414.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes what a memory!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As we walked home tonight, we walked by a young man begging for money sitting on the street. It's quite chilly here (well, not MN cold, but cold enough for a coat, etc). I didn't give him money but as I am writing this, I am haunted by his face. I generally don't give to beggars because I do believe there are programs for people who need help and that the money is going for something other than their well-being. But this kid's gonna be in my mind for a while. Tomorrow, I will give to someone that I see on the street. It won't help this kid, but maybe it'll help someone else.</div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-13145238427170569972014-02-27T01:03:00.003-06:002014-02-27T01:03:40.181-06:0010.000 Irish Steps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We walked and walked and walked and walked yesterday through Dublin. We saw this place where a famous revolution started in 1916 *excuse my ignorance, I wasn't sure what it was, but it was very important to one of my traveling partners, her heritage is Irish. Then we went to Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells-a fascinating old OLD version of the first four Gospels (no photos allowed), then toured this old Library (see below). Very very cool. Then of course we toured the gift show below. Only tasteful cultural souvenirs purchased of course.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRO0tuaskfkoe4eh31Nn9x5PBwHvYNfZng4g5wsMEWWdZVwGJqfrK4txwY2kZXAjSwMRRF2WX-vzvUPmodY-Wivdzvx3fcfF7l-DQxFAB2ui9FH_BZLLWmd-5W_6DDf_RozNJDyZv9JFy/s1600/IMG_6152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRO0tuaskfkoe4eh31Nn9x5PBwHvYNfZng4g5wsMEWWdZVwGJqfrK4txwY2kZXAjSwMRRF2WX-vzvUPmodY-Wivdzvx3fcfF7l-DQxFAB2ui9FH_BZLLWmd-5W_6DDf_RozNJDyZv9JFy/s1600/IMG_6152.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tried to get my traveling companions to see this, but they weren't up for it. But it did make me giggle. I like the Irish people, they are very Very nice. And it's a perfect time to travel here as the crowds aren't everywhere.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipguyfsOZSnsRbioeJ0yDk56YNJkXxRBbEa8uyy3qhBmZOU8e7G7XFhbOsSXaiv8aUyw9h5iKNsr2eZ_hwffWE7x-RjTKYuwXeM7rjCSJjZytdAXcd28_SKhq9lGm2QoJJfll3mzc13c-X/s1600/IMG_6136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipguyfsOZSnsRbioeJ0yDk56YNJkXxRBbEa8uyy3qhBmZOU8e7G7XFhbOsSXaiv8aUyw9h5iKNsr2eZ_hwffWE7x-RjTKYuwXeM7rjCSJjZytdAXcd28_SKhq9lGm2QoJJfll3mzc13c-X/s1600/IMG_6136.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClYVqJeRax0FakkMONvzboivVZPZWS5O6r_4eRp9N3q3fvCF1RwNBp6ebZ-KIpvwHWvieQDtCT-Zj5XgSkBsEcDjg3BagQthZiXKZUwca1QdBVM2xb6PxC_vAYMho7Wqsja-X2Unuo4Ms/s1600/IMG_6173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClYVqJeRax0FakkMONvzboivVZPZWS5O6r_4eRp9N3q3fvCF1RwNBp6ebZ-KIpvwHWvieQDtCT-Zj5XgSkBsEcDjg3BagQthZiXKZUwca1QdBVM2xb6PxC_vAYMho7Wqsja-X2Unuo4Ms/s1600/IMG_6173.jpg" height="306" width="320" /></a></div>
BUT I did see this Lepricaun so I felt much better. There are loads and loads of souvenirs that honor stereotypes which is nice, but we were on a hunt to find the Belleek, which is Irish stoneware that a couple of us collect. It actually took some time, but we managed to find a store that had it (and other fine things)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0CXz1grwcgMVT79hJqJx9SVmoT93-V8ZNabicPjQoQSALR_a_4VpjdZzjAF0aAcP5lzAPVsZjdznbiVneXgXFDHk5tAI4UiqIcbdCIY3uG7okOhC57HL-YUZqOzqst2RURIbpXLguuQ7/s1600/IMG_6138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0CXz1grwcgMVT79hJqJx9SVmoT93-V8ZNabicPjQoQSALR_a_4VpjdZzjAF0aAcP5lzAPVsZjdznbiVneXgXFDHk5tAI4UiqIcbdCIY3uG7okOhC57HL-YUZqOzqst2RURIbpXLguuQ7/s1600/IMG_6138.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went back and forth across this bridge a couple times in our quest to find the perfect souvenirs. We might have stopped at a few pubs during the day too. It was certainly a day of soaking up Irish Culture!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Two more full days of my great trip of a lifetime. In many respects, it's time to come home. I miss my man, my dog, my house, waking up in the same bed! I don't miss the cold (heard about the "next storm". I love traveling, and seeing new places, meeting new people, etc. But all good things must come to an end…until the next trip!</div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-36122547378489327732014-02-25T17:50:00.002-06:002014-02-25T17:50:15.458-06:00Aye, I've got me Lucky Charms!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This rainbow must be saying "Welcome to Ireland Nadine we've been waiting for you". I LOVE it here. It reminds me of England, but yet it's totally different. Of course I've only been here 12 hours, but it seems really cool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBN8DOczz3lNApf3WV2oOGtw83aTf1ASKktvOt8yo8Cau520tb6DOGZkbPjxXp9O-k1hadgUc-bMsSZeWbFLGPLxSydwjFPZYrOsasCeb2jUx21zH15XYN3dgCcAXO4bsGjULzRou7SEp/s1600/IMG_6086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBN8DOczz3lNApf3WV2oOGtw83aTf1ASKktvOt8yo8Cau520tb6DOGZkbPjxXp9O-k1hadgUc-bMsSZeWbFLGPLxSydwjFPZYrOsasCeb2jUx21zH15XYN3dgCcAXO4bsGjULzRou7SEp/s1600/IMG_6086.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Travelling this part of the journey with two friends from AIS Kuwait who flew in during their National Days break. So far we're just getting our feet wet in the pubs but I can tell that will be a major part of our touring. We're staying in a really cute apartment on one of the main streets. Perfect...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJU-lzC4x1LQV31lekN6UZMVG00TOccBBqG6d54TLdRpKTI2fdcs5XwYWXwbXDIOAmziW8ApcHWp8ocBacTqa9NVS73uCqtyJpzAiuw2K1P7RimXfZRF9cW36LmCf9z4HLsgVZd8ZhMHq/s1600/IMG_6090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJU-lzC4x1LQV31lekN6UZMVG00TOccBBqG6d54TLdRpKTI2fdcs5XwYWXwbXDIOAmziW8ApcHWp8ocBacTqa9NVS73uCqtyJpzAiuw2K1P7RimXfZRF9cW36LmCf9z4HLsgVZd8ZhMHq/s1600/IMG_6090.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
We set off on a journey to find St Patrick's cathedral, but golly Gee there were at least five churches that we saw that could have been THE one! Love the architecture, the presence, the designs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPUVzb5l1-6Cg0VPjYv_4yp5_KB5HKGq-aWxmq8cKtXUEL7HdWUTpIs-bCcg2M40OhxPLiJpqevtcw6utU9vLfobAt3pfq6kcBVlYZcXXmiRq2Vs5hyphenhyphen4eOlqYtUJXky9Xuk8M6zEb-ZYH/s1600/IMG_6102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPUVzb5l1-6Cg0VPjYv_4yp5_KB5HKGq-aWxmq8cKtXUEL7HdWUTpIs-bCcg2M40OhxPLiJpqevtcw6utU9vLfobAt3pfq6kcBVlYZcXXmiRq2Vs5hyphenhyphen4eOlqYtUJXky9Xuk8M6zEb-ZYH/s1600/IMG_6102.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Just a friendly reminder that the traffic comes at you from the OPPOSITE direction! And very fast!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzb0sfZI7HUbaYY2j_KgM1-Ah6E-iuFMNUkL6pcS2OWR4rJ0hzpEBg8jlP4kdxj24Ovot-H3cxGd2ABg6MjjvF_LMFrb6RDpcOrF0ofRrCAD5uOI125xD1kR3tEGTnyNd1blGw5kjO4NK/s1600/IMG_6106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzb0sfZI7HUbaYY2j_KgM1-Ah6E-iuFMNUkL6pcS2OWR4rJ0hzpEBg8jlP4kdxj24Ovot-H3cxGd2ABg6MjjvF_LMFrb6RDpcOrF0ofRrCAD5uOI125xD1kR3tEGTnyNd1blGw5kjO4NK/s1600/IMG_6106.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As mentioned earlier, there are lots of pubs here. I have decided that I will ask each bartender what I should drink and see if I can come up with a winner. I was surprised to discover that there are many American beers served here. (Yuck)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpIyICBcXccjBNZZ5mw9hn602owWJZ0NsVm7G97AVymz6ayl_j1IVPrjvDwpVjaD6TP6Zbt1HKdn73xFKJJRMY0pUlrUMxKWXEou2IXwpvkt3dRStubB75qDL2pGN5PaD7jKhaYOK8qEt/s1600/IMG_6109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpIyICBcXccjBNZZ5mw9hn602owWJZ0NsVm7G97AVymz6ayl_j1IVPrjvDwpVjaD6TP6Zbt1HKdn73xFKJJRMY0pUlrUMxKWXEou2IXwpvkt3dRStubB75qDL2pGN5PaD7jKhaYOK8qEt/s1600/IMG_6109.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My friend MJ outside St Patrick's (yes we found it but there were Vesper services so we'll be back tomorrow)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffpPiZnoWXX494iM2QFmjiqXh-f6faB1lYVjuvtMIsVkGKmUnmLOsIj1uVNPLDwkmg9g4mqfL98ijGoPFyiJDaxtLFuRLSsfZIcekKn35fyWd-toeRZkJai8GkmyP-URBF5y0PLr6WJHf/s1600/IMG_6115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffpPiZnoWXX494iM2QFmjiqXh-f6faB1lYVjuvtMIsVkGKmUnmLOsIj1uVNPLDwkmg9g4mqfL98ijGoPFyiJDaxtLFuRLSsfZIcekKn35fyWd-toeRZkJai8GkmyP-URBF5y0PLr6WJHf/s1600/IMG_6115.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-86331556969915942092014-02-24T20:50:00.000-06:002014-02-24T20:50:03.509-06:00Amsterdam in 36 hours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Stopping in Amsterdam for 1 1/2 days to see friends. I really enjoy the city and especially enjoyed the opportunity to see it through their eyes. We visited here as a family in 2010, but it's good to see it again. Here's a couple of the photos that try to show what my 2nd impressions are.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish-WhtxWtHHLQXgxXzw0cHJoX3o8CsaI0dmQQGXlbrGwRNs8i71xYuSeFO-jHFvU2_NVGi-zp9Q1_03gHIYntOEQbQ3hI-N5F4psyofbbl-hu-T80b8_elDCxVMybIOEAiCI2jOnUt_6Y/s1600/IMG_5949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish-WhtxWtHHLQXgxXzw0cHJoX3o8CsaI0dmQQGXlbrGwRNs8i71xYuSeFO-jHFvU2_NVGi-zp9Q1_03gHIYntOEQbQ3hI-N5F4psyofbbl-hu-T80b8_elDCxVMybIOEAiCI2jOnUt_6Y/s1600/IMG_5949.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Crossing the channel to get into the city, there was this large Russian submarine. My friend says it could be Das Boot (ha), but it's interesting to see a big sub literally in the middle of the harbor. Certainly it's a conversation piece.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylfyea965-i20vRbWnDRJXM7zkoD-NH4eOubNxKyLJaIq2MObD6B836_u4Y9Z1s6nnOR7GqUVMUAjQkYSaSO84jmCEjONGsMMS7h81X9pawIuUZfuQlGF98_Q-zpliID6ItfnQi_dkYjl/s1600/IMG_5962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylfyea965-i20vRbWnDRJXM7zkoD-NH4eOubNxKyLJaIq2MObD6B836_u4Y9Z1s6nnOR7GqUVMUAjQkYSaSO84jmCEjONGsMMS7h81X9pawIuUZfuQlGF98_Q-zpliID6ItfnQi_dkYjl/s1600/IMG_5962.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
We are so backwards in the US--(except my husband who faithfully rides his lil bike to school). We don't use enough bicycle power. Here's just one random bicycle parking lot. I almost got hit a couple times and was warned more than once to "stay off the bike path". I even got "honked (tinkled?) at by a bicyclist with his little bell. Seriously, I really applaud the Dutch for their healthier attitudes/practices.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWj9ze5AZkpVh-umCjjFo3ui1P-WdCMM793PytwdQEhJIBalDY6iaSiG5XpVZFkvwklycsma7Ls8IVhhSMT_6bb-Uo_AYTVN0xZyCPIPECAjfZ3Va6tGefSfnYswqdAyrq6NJUZv56IJw/s1600/IMG_5967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWj9ze5AZkpVh-umCjjFo3ui1P-WdCMM793PytwdQEhJIBalDY6iaSiG5XpVZFkvwklycsma7Ls8IVhhSMT_6bb-Uo_AYTVN0xZyCPIPECAjfZ3Va6tGefSfnYswqdAyrq6NJUZv56IJw/s1600/IMG_5967.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
This is on top of a boat. Love the use of green glass to make Christmas trees. At least I think that's what they are!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAxTpgx74FwcJTFF_0Ze3wB38E0eyv34EyCWvBrxlmE_69wCK5z_Wl0zoQedAj4qpi7nVFwkkPQCbFD96t_qK1SWeRbHih3V_Giy1q1m6yhOxmwCfjwzB7-en4H1Y4PDACzJcf5bxtqdp/s1600/IMG_6016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAxTpgx74FwcJTFF_0Ze3wB38E0eyv34EyCWvBrxlmE_69wCK5z_Wl0zoQedAj4qpi7nVFwkkPQCbFD96t_qK1SWeRbHih3V_Giy1q1m6yhOxmwCfjwzB7-en4H1Y4PDACzJcf5bxtqdp/s1600/IMG_6016.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Went into the Tulip museum and saw these lovely Amaryllis' growing. Oh spring can't get here soon enough, especially for my Minnesota peeps. I took the picture below to remind everyone that spring is coming… (say it again and you'll believe it!) Spring IS coming soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsItbuUnWo0RAU8FBg1hTChOkcTp_j-zF19l8T-n_THbLmb_xDrQMQ0sp9omrNHZxULBkeMUR_iK0X_q2itsW33qT-D2-vzq7Wt2CqkE225er5FN6RNmEpvXmon01v-rgouqxaFGhyphenhyphenTiX/s1600/IMG_6035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsItbuUnWo0RAU8FBg1hTChOkcTp_j-zF19l8T-n_THbLmb_xDrQMQ0sp9omrNHZxULBkeMUR_iK0X_q2itsW33qT-D2-vzq7Wt2CqkE225er5FN6RNmEpvXmon01v-rgouqxaFGhyphenhyphenTiX/s1600/IMG_6035.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
When we were in Amsterdam a couple years ago, this fabulous place (the Rejksmuseum) was closed. It was great to get a chance to see it. This popular painting of Rembrandt's (The Night Watch) was one of the highlights.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv7t-vhL88OxSj3VV24aSW0WqG7GTi55P3iUeAXEtQEiebyeN0XJ1xGj8b0YGksNj4hyAM74CfPQVEKtjwX8qmFsUOXvr154uh0bWY6MVXiMNTNdEuGbggLiWmRxbbPizPZRWrelrfpqQ/s1600/IMG_6046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv7t-vhL88OxSj3VV24aSW0WqG7GTi55P3iUeAXEtQEiebyeN0XJ1xGj8b0YGksNj4hyAM74CfPQVEKtjwX8qmFsUOXvr154uh0bWY6MVXiMNTNdEuGbggLiWmRxbbPizPZRWrelrfpqQ/s1600/IMG_6046.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Along with the very cool Harry Potter-like library. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P0HH1mUVFfPiCfb1KoVS9jMc3pEB5HNW2iZLEnJpXPnufPgKHJK4D_mucC20YPsQNid5pI8U_L9RDdQCe6f9FyDctgAa-lF2D4UPH5KwK1R0jFrFCKq3GbHDMPF2kdJUTLfK3rupTL8I/s1600/IMG_6057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P0HH1mUVFfPiCfb1KoVS9jMc3pEB5HNW2iZLEnJpXPnufPgKHJK4D_mucC20YPsQNid5pI8U_L9RDdQCe6f9FyDctgAa-lF2D4UPH5KwK1R0jFrFCKq3GbHDMPF2kdJUTLfK3rupTL8I/s1600/IMG_6057.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
I saw this a couple times--decorating the bicycle handles with flowers. I'm not sure if it's to remind you what your bike looks like when parked with hundreds of others, or if it's another reminder of spring. Either way, it made me smile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0vi7ciqCfdHv8oiX_GPZc8dKOVEHictC6vQU4bEHKDcpg7M0ovIzeJ8mdoAvP-ARBnAduBZZ1qwm8LzadOA6lrAiShtXe7u_fKVfxIBsRgxqPGdPOcpgT4WKQWExbOQIhxEvQKsy1UP4/s1600/IMG_6073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0vi7ciqCfdHv8oiX_GPZc8dKOVEHictC6vQU4bEHKDcpg7M0ovIzeJ8mdoAvP-ARBnAduBZZ1qwm8LzadOA6lrAiShtXe7u_fKVfxIBsRgxqPGdPOcpgT4WKQWExbOQIhxEvQKsy1UP4/s1600/IMG_6073.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Off to Ireland tomorrow! Slowly making my way home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh the fantasy will have to come to an end I know.</div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-52486732637510542832014-02-22T23:07:00.003-06:002014-02-22T23:07:45.472-06:00All on a Saturday in Berlin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Disco Fever is alive and well in Berlin! It was such a beautiful day, I couldn't help but do a little Happy Dance on the street.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfiUlQw2jfugCIwZQoepRfNrz8QLTiPb2sAw8s53CvmLIuYZdPYeH4umynOJuPBPucqy7V0yEizfUHHVBv8AOaDhYeTShKu60C46wqJ5Lw_qSpN2FH2_RbflQV9K6yOeys47kY_aCvMWb/s1600/IMG_5764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfiUlQw2jfugCIwZQoepRfNrz8QLTiPb2sAw8s53CvmLIuYZdPYeH4umynOJuPBPucqy7V0yEizfUHHVBv8AOaDhYeTShKu60C46wqJ5Lw_qSpN2FH2_RbflQV9K6yOeys47kY_aCvMWb/s1600/IMG_5764.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
There are flowers beginning to poke their head out of the ground here, which is a site for sore eyes. I took this picture for all my beloved people in Minnesota enduring yet ANOTHER snow storm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiwkMGuyS5LUWzDXQjWpbbBjta5KC9NlGUQ-4wIP0__1DSB6HQoRklLKgS976975jqdHp96nW7iHigUuGswca5W3hTif88UVEZTRwNGvQLdI_yA_0HzeFDZKycWIyRjklCg5jPMdIiELc/s1600/IMG_5766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiwkMGuyS5LUWzDXQjWpbbBjta5KC9NlGUQ-4wIP0__1DSB6HQoRklLKgS976975jqdHp96nW7iHigUuGswca5W3hTif88UVEZTRwNGvQLdI_yA_0HzeFDZKycWIyRjklCg5jPMdIiELc/s1600/IMG_5766.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Being with Pooja AND Dennis is such a delight. How I remember both of them fondly as they were exchange students in PR in the late 90s. And now they are grown up people, living and working and succeeding. But they are still delightful folks. We're not squinting because the sun is so bright, we're squinting because their FUTURE is so bright ! (that's my story…)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf0DkJ2Z4koTesvLQhNC4hjk8rCEB5cDzOQbXXIv4p310-8XJ92Nr5Mente8k-y_CinkpdU8oZGXE8brGIslOJRZhS6_vhBHr8bx_foQ2aC5R77KDE3tuOHdylaX8GrPc0DitdkU3iYY8/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf0DkJ2Z4koTesvLQhNC4hjk8rCEB5cDzOQbXXIv4p310-8XJ92Nr5Mente8k-y_CinkpdU8oZGXE8brGIslOJRZhS6_vhBHr8bx_foQ2aC5R77KDE3tuOHdylaX8GrPc0DitdkU3iYY8/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Some unknown top of a random church. How awful is that? Seriously, I have no idea what this is, but the site of such a beautiful building against the lovely blue sky made me want to take the photo. I can tell you that it's by the Calvinist Reformed Church (the French one) which was a very interesting experience. There wasn't any English translation (other than two sheets of paper which weren't very informative). So I enjoyed listening to whatever Dennis read as interesting AND just looking with out knowing what I was seeing. Sometimes one needs those little reminders that English isn't the only language spoken. It sorta makes me use the rest of my senses to figure things out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotGBJZMHAHWxJ1ix44vHJbgU663nuSHRs1Gki-Zk__18yDa-WFiBGpZukkiFBYOrcZITweZaEAsCB4ylNqweAqx3Fio6HmlHw6353e_fpmZ5Zl5rwPxPSkvENdbmmZ_Me-vTJkpQUKFdM/s1600/IMG_5778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotGBJZMHAHWxJ1ix44vHJbgU663nuSHRs1Gki-Zk__18yDa-WFiBGpZukkiFBYOrcZITweZaEAsCB4ylNqweAqx3Fio6HmlHw6353e_fpmZ5Zl5rwPxPSkvENdbmmZ_Me-vTJkpQUKFdM/s1600/IMG_5778.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
However, I found this one fascinating. The church was bombed and shot at several times during the War. Below is a description of a specific day and then there is a hymnal with the bullet hole and the actual bullet on top. It was a eerie site.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDJhGYTFcMqAWeNOHpsjdhripVq82QrmWmKo-pJQ2VIu-UoXxR4WurIZ75XiFD7JXvEP2zxnRRSLPt5_SCQSVxtXlqnhYU2lyaLMjk1gpsx6i0IxhSvDzFGRg0eVYqXqlctHcjDL-pHpy/s1600/IMG_5796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDJhGYTFcMqAWeNOHpsjdhripVq82QrmWmKo-pJQ2VIu-UoXxR4WurIZ75XiFD7JXvEP2zxnRRSLPt5_SCQSVxtXlqnhYU2lyaLMjk1gpsx6i0IxhSvDzFGRg0eVYqXqlctHcjDL-pHpy/s1600/IMG_5796.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
This is Humbolt University, which Dennis says is THE Place for study in Berlin. In front of this, we saw a group of students demonstrating. As we walked closer (it was a peaceful demonstration), we learned that it was a group of students from Venezuala demonstrating the treatment of fellow students there. I guess it's quite horrific. A young lady approached and told us that all they wanted to do was spread awareness of the atrocities that are happening there. It was my first demonstration!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IT2QPvMDIv1eDZELj00JBPeyliaM030mO4ccTOpT1bPKSQU91MsCQp9o7KdDFpEej1_U1ks7dsjxVmFr83lky92h7wpBJ1FedQmtbu8ZtI1HnmEpF3ZOG_JEhG8UuZm286BMai-F4iiL/s1600/IMG_5800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IT2QPvMDIv1eDZELj00JBPeyliaM030mO4ccTOpT1bPKSQU91MsCQp9o7KdDFpEej1_U1ks7dsjxVmFr83lky92h7wpBJ1FedQmtbu8ZtI1HnmEpF3ZOG_JEhG8UuZm286BMai-F4iiL/s1600/IMG_5800.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Leaving Berlin will be hard I have enjoyed the break, the complete mellowness of just<br />
chillin' with Dennis and seeing Pooja. It was like a little bit of home. Just what I needed. </div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-19728164577423862292014-02-21T23:14:00.002-06:002014-02-21T23:14:39.765-06:00Visiting Germany…special moments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Being in Germany this week was just what I needed after traveling through Israel. On a practicality note, it's really nice to be staying with people and not having the extra hotel expense and food costs. On the same thought, only emotional, it's really great to be re-connecting with people that I treasure in my life. And thirdly, it's just good to take a brain break--- I don't have to figure out where I'm going, what I'm doing.<br />
Having said that, please don't think I didn't like traveling through Israel with my daughter. It truly was the Once in a Lifetime opportunity in many ways.<br />
But I think myself rather smart to have planned this week in the middle of my three week adventure.<br />
Enough said…<br />
Here's two photos that make me smile<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb_EQs2k8U6M2bXIjoQJD4hggP47U1harHnefYyVM8uon2tZux4I1rvp4zb_goMW47z0JVIxBHDXOkiqmJHIY1CzvUebKniD62KAoMEQ8bVDGrcHhSENCR9zABWvtz9FdooV8kTdYmI4_/s1600/IMG_5575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb_EQs2k8U6M2bXIjoQJD4hggP47U1harHnefYyVM8uon2tZux4I1rvp4zb_goMW47z0JVIxBHDXOkiqmJHIY1CzvUebKniD62KAoMEQ8bVDGrcHhSENCR9zABWvtz9FdooV8kTdYmI4_/s1600/IMG_5575.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
When I stayed at D and K's house, I looked out my window the first morning and felt entirely safe to have Spiderman watching out for me. This speaks directly to D's sense of humor. Oh also--- his internet name is "homeland security". Gotta love it (hope this doesn't get him in trouble….!!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvrBMvcRXwAZsthmG1R2ijZBXxKZGIVnFbLyGVP45joMTsyNMxjgKMkSFEoBc0q-9rzfMtiU1OhVGIRxntOfrLLz8EyTEHym-3ErSFC7VJVcqU5qHrsGdneiLjPBUVsBA-YI0Be6cYoKg/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvrBMvcRXwAZsthmG1R2ijZBXxKZGIVnFbLyGVP45joMTsyNMxjgKMkSFEoBc0q-9rzfMtiU1OhVGIRxntOfrLLz8EyTEHym-3ErSFC7VJVcqU5qHrsGdneiLjPBUVsBA-YI0Be6cYoKg/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Me and my German son… we took this in his garden before we went out exploring. I think it just says "content". At least I know I feel content when visiting with him.</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-16298914687533887462014-02-21T12:59:00.000-06:002014-02-21T12:59:44.327-06:00…and me without my Camera<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>I did it again. Decided that I didn't need to take my camera when we went out to explore Berlin. And of course I saw things that I wanted to record. So I'm stealing images directly from Google with all apologies and appreciation.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5oGY7FFgD7WXnyUB3F0DeyGPYGuRccW92rHk8ZSIqWJpjCpGRYzPvF1RGG9YkJh8yxc2mUuVkKJVjVqija5IaybEWnKPD2l6tFaSfri1FttaCHzhx-wbLqhszVvjLLNuIcGX2FKgz-oQ/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5oGY7FFgD7WXnyUB3F0DeyGPYGuRccW92rHk8ZSIqWJpjCpGRYzPvF1RGG9YkJh8yxc2mUuVkKJVjVqija5IaybEWnKPD2l6tFaSfri1FttaCHzhx-wbLqhszVvjLLNuIcGX2FKgz-oQ/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fcoVNGapekvxjqUlcgs54HzDW0G6bhyLM-sRMHvzmhZDPX_-DSYQHQ7K2q3rsNq0ypaCL8ARg9Vby45tsdWS4c1zzTux6oUXy0t6a9MVuasz2uZOwpqN0YmurjOsaisyAsvSQeq2mevo/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fcoVNGapekvxjqUlcgs54HzDW0G6bhyLM-sRMHvzmhZDPX_-DSYQHQ7K2q3rsNq0ypaCL8ARg9Vby45tsdWS4c1zzTux6oUXy0t6a9MVuasz2uZOwpqN0YmurjOsaisyAsvSQeq2mevo/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-TZuq1lr9e6Kgg9akdpeWTWncKMJFBvjB0pnBXVXVMTd3T9XIhjCcU4eQyZABmC9F7eK8eA1AiBagMId0JYmiwthPg-42_t-elKRWE-SDwuf-OgnrEiCo1iTudpWQmTmXNQLaw2ViqRh/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-TZuq1lr9e6Kgg9akdpeWTWncKMJFBvjB0pnBXVXVMTd3T9XIhjCcU4eQyZABmC9F7eK8eA1AiBagMId0JYmiwthPg-42_t-elKRWE-SDwuf-OgnrEiCo1iTudpWQmTmXNQLaw2ViqRh/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mGuOhQ7p8lQSwONumyaPDlTlLzvydB4AJJJ81ZKxiy7RPTaoYISG80fA9_fkBjZFfHC0tTH3g8hB14_ozrzJ21mDQl64iTzUUdWo8AAg1scgnl5bV4grfZR_riwkXUd9YsRQRTakZnF4/s1600/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mGuOhQ7p8lQSwONumyaPDlTlLzvydB4AJJJ81ZKxiy7RPTaoYISG80fA9_fkBjZFfHC0tTH3g8hB14_ozrzJ21mDQl64iTzUUdWo8AAg1scgnl5bV4grfZR_riwkXUd9YsRQRTakZnF4/s1600/images-2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjpmkIuH5Sv584uKBneewpvyI8q6HI9C8XPM1xVqlj5uAMTp1GbG7e2OkV-GiZlUYZdm46W8J4s2RBOOsYF0dBa17F7yaIDcglNp2DkS3aVsyQNIKvtaG_7Z84X9olw7uGgPIKszQTt4f/s1600/images-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjpmkIuH5Sv584uKBneewpvyI8q6HI9C8XPM1xVqlj5uAMTp1GbG7e2OkV-GiZlUYZdm46W8J4s2RBOOsYF0dBa17F7yaIDcglNp2DkS3aVsyQNIKvtaG_7Z84X9olw7uGgPIKszQTt4f/s1600/images-3.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO89xpMiXevTckOWxh4HdBEGm9Dy2hUmOzTu5iZXXhOB_FyZgctirwsEazQE51gcwzA3zXTPL0wHQUI4yI0sVnhongUwvsTbn2BuFNVBzoAd5vasuAi4baEtU3h3btlz48cTqYAoNVEkc/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO89xpMiXevTckOWxh4HdBEGm9Dy2hUmOzTu5iZXXhOB_FyZgctirwsEazQE51gcwzA3zXTPL0wHQUI4yI0sVnhongUwvsTbn2BuFNVBzoAd5vasuAi4baEtU3h3btlz48cTqYAoNVEkc/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Just a few representational shots of Berlin. I love the graffiti, the attempts to integrate the old with the new, the art, the way things look. It's good to be back visiting again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><br /></i></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-15456459299048193842014-02-20T13:27:00.002-06:002014-02-20T13:27:52.330-06:00The BEST part about traveling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
…is getting to see people that you haven't seen in a while. Loved catching up with Dietmar and Katrin Bethge (Exchange student 1987) Today I saw Pooja Merchant, exchange student from 1999. Currently staying with our German son Dennis from 1998 in Berlin, Germany. Life is GOOD… damn good!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyskHD5OJaJwUek7-EYo-NKCyFDKzwvI8U3fKZcMICpmXZf048C2BM3-p9z6YuugIqA_zuXiPcVIFW4exVJS_0mDWUHy2Ul4yhyXI0ydFqDHtQMTo_25OpVNfgUEqhgF7HhtWnVVUcev7/s1600/DSC_2840-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyskHD5OJaJwUek7-EYo-NKCyFDKzwvI8U3fKZcMICpmXZf048C2BM3-p9z6YuugIqA_zuXiPcVIFW4exVJS_0mDWUHy2Ul4yhyXI0ydFqDHtQMTo_25OpVNfgUEqhgF7HhtWnVVUcev7/s1600/DSC_2840-2.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAze4b-T6Ku48_hDMGl6pgC54wnixGrUMN437S0heUOAeoycOodqxXVpG-I41G8jOIF83QrhwwnlDUGvPfpUeeqr46ZvX5AasjvzKFw5FlFjJvlE6xrHo_GczH2tcSaRqx72NJo4_k4zeF/s1600/IMG_5757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAze4b-T6Ku48_hDMGl6pgC54wnixGrUMN437S0heUOAeoycOodqxXVpG-I41G8jOIF83QrhwwnlDUGvPfpUeeqr46ZvX5AasjvzKFw5FlFjJvlE6xrHo_GczH2tcSaRqx72NJo4_k4zeF/s1600/IMG_5757.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-27391589452998941912014-02-20T00:11:00.001-06:002014-02-20T00:11:10.336-06:00"I am so glad I had the opportunity to be in this place" (translation)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Returning to the Koln (Cologne) Cathedral: a dream for the past 11 years. When our family first visited here in 2003, I was so awestruck I couldn't find the words. That was before I had the opportunity to travel to many other Cathedrals and before I had read Ken Folliet books detailing the building of cathedrals. But it's still a beautiful and amazing space.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTNlFIFMgY014wVNmlSQbW4D_N4EmxhkodDkUVMCgkPaN_oSciEdHguDD5Pu-Kl6aZt7PTQyVR9sjz81UsBY_jUl-6PugqYp_WzZ7MmGpuLkNN0uRr2FPhv04-PQzZmrj6JU3MQdvx9OY/s1600/IMG_5602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTNlFIFMgY014wVNmlSQbW4D_N4EmxhkodDkUVMCgkPaN_oSciEdHguDD5Pu-Kl6aZt7PTQyVR9sjz81UsBY_jUl-6PugqYp_WzZ7MmGpuLkNN0uRr2FPhv04-PQzZmrj6JU3MQdvx9OY/s1600/IMG_5602.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5tLFQC9W8thMowhXkGCQ2HV47RW1UdKoe8IeoW5euDi85tjlq002HIMdxrw9B2spMeiFZSN0VredtubjvN4uDqROAhECXKNGdGlqXkGzt6zjiqd2bzRuNTARerQEPpdHSECaB_NaryGE/s1600/IMG_5609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5tLFQC9W8thMowhXkGCQ2HV47RW1UdKoe8IeoW5euDi85tjlq002HIMdxrw9B2spMeiFZSN0VredtubjvN4uDqROAhECXKNGdGlqXkGzt6zjiqd2bzRuNTARerQEPpdHSECaB_NaryGE/s1600/IMG_5609.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
The detail in the whole building is what is such an unbelievable site. It just seems to go on and on and on (which it does). The back of the building is as intricate as the front (this is the back by the way)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AydK3mAV8afWHq0umV-DYjIiNEeHjO71C3pa-Yvrw0ILVaTDIPlC12cL9P_gekYMQDv8HpP3zPmixO-zV2gE_H82uomoyp_XBMhkxz94-wm_LmxaKN7LcYH_0saZ2kgKQ4BX0oKVaYM4/s1600/IMG_5652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AydK3mAV8afWHq0umV-DYjIiNEeHjO71C3pa-Yvrw0ILVaTDIPlC12cL9P_gekYMQDv8HpP3zPmixO-zV2gE_H82uomoyp_XBMhkxz94-wm_LmxaKN7LcYH_0saZ2kgKQ4BX0oKVaYM4/s1600/IMG_5652.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Inside there are carvings, stained glass windows, burial tombs, mosaics, etc. The one above is St Christopher, the patron saint of travelers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-po5M26Ef2Ratz05ODWo4gG-aalJVdlK4u9bb2XyvCWoq9slxDFKp1REkrBXLatBzejsLUyS74PI7nSPKY9Ybqp7ow-h7GTnC-23EMyqtXSJJQn7ud7UYcdhpGW09ct5L9ssroQtBhytA/s1600/IMG_5689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-po5M26Ef2Ratz05ODWo4gG-aalJVdlK4u9bb2XyvCWoq9slxDFKp1REkrBXLatBzejsLUyS74PI7nSPKY9Ybqp7ow-h7GTnC-23EMyqtXSJJQn7ud7UYcdhpGW09ct5L9ssroQtBhytA/s1600/IMG_5689.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
When I view a space like this and see the intricate windows, it makes me feel especially sick about the fact that there are wars and places like this are bombed. Fortunately there wasn't much damage to this place. There is a window that was damaged and they've replaced it with the modern look of multi color glass pieces. (no photo here). It's sad to see, but the guide book said it was because there wasn't any records of how the window looked. *Sigh<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN95H-hspI6xHppa7ztraCKj_jMWW7Pf1chv-AeC-mLDTivOmlNZVQXldL3fDqFbVhh1JoGm0BLnW2JZ8tzOr6KcMIuZdfqd_yN1vh9uDCUn4UdEsTBGWXKjCLKhEAAIHEw20BCR4-tyFR/s1600/IMG_5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN95H-hspI6xHppa7ztraCKj_jMWW7Pf1chv-AeC-mLDTivOmlNZVQXldL3fDqFbVhh1JoGm0BLnW2JZ8tzOr6KcMIuZdfqd_yN1vh9uDCUn4UdEsTBGWXKjCLKhEAAIHEw20BCR4-tyFR/s1600/IMG_5719.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
My beautiful traveling companion, Godsister Marion. Our family is so blessed to have her in our lives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9mqhvxHRRiFrA9_t9u_j3BJeE9jim3miKrNbcukut4PV_UavfgCOOxqQHIcDBAzDydAN1zbqnXSVX9mul0OQCqaTqEicsij-1byj0BJUXTOz70WN9GcCE43tZt1IGYbjhmuvdj7dGQkI/s1600/IMG_5742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9mqhvxHRRiFrA9_t9u_j3BJeE9jim3miKrNbcukut4PV_UavfgCOOxqQHIcDBAzDydAN1zbqnXSVX9mul0OQCqaTqEicsij-1byj0BJUXTOz70WN9GcCE43tZt1IGYbjhmuvdj7dGQkI/s1600/IMG_5742.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>This is a piece of "art" that we saw at the Ludwig Museum, a modern art space that has some truly "head scratching" pieces (as in "THIS is art?") But this plaque, found outside, states my new Life Motto "I am so glad I had the opportunity to be in this place". I could say that about so many places we've ventured to, but it seemed particularly appropriate here as it's the second time I got to stand in Koln.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The traveling blues has begun to set in, as I suspected they might. I'm over the half way mark of the trip and maybe (just maybe) I am getting homesick. Or else it's something I ate ;-). However, I've got three more stops to go on my wayfaring so I'll just suck it up and carry on. Besides, reports from home are that the weather CERTAINLY isn't something I want to go running back to at any moment.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am thankful for the opportunity to travel and will not complain because I have the opportunity to have the adventures that most people only dream of. There… Attitude Adjustment Complete!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next Stop: Berlin, German son Dennis and hopefully friend Pooja (another PR foreign exchange student ) Lucky me lucky me!!</div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-10785174553795610212014-02-19T02:41:00.002-06:002014-02-19T02:41:27.969-06:00"Home" in Aachen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Safely at the home of our Godsister Marion. I love this house, I love this woman. She is our German family. Today we are planning to go to Cologne, the site of a fantastic Cathedral. We saw it with her and our German son, Dennis in 2003. I have thought of it often and wanted to make sure that on this trip, I returned to view it.<br />
Life IS good!<br />
<i>Picture "Borrowed" from Google</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrU1KF6RqnHbSgb7zyM8eNoHvt8f5fMRuOSg8HhZWJJezPGYUMVHpHPWTTY9A4S0UGfhyphenhyphenGbzemyQU-lfHUYXJr4bzdl940jEBBJ96FZWxva6OUhbcgC_akTm7ma6fm361BrU0lA-0c5Wk/s1600/240px-Ko%CC%88lner_Dom_2013-06-06-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrU1KF6RqnHbSgb7zyM8eNoHvt8f5fMRuOSg8HhZWJJezPGYUMVHpHPWTTY9A4S0UGfhyphenhyphenGbzemyQU-lfHUYXJr4bzdl940jEBBJ96FZWxva6OUhbcgC_akTm7ma6fm361BrU0lA-0c5Wk/s1600/240px-Ko%CC%88lner_Dom_2013-06-06-01.JPG" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-55656468444695086092014-02-18T07:22:00.000-06:002014-02-18T07:22:20.493-06:00Looking Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04Ud-doYUKymVxau-OHTM9qBNiPtZboblzsP9PY0SF-6s7O4jaj1p9q1tOAHqZGmRIz2-3gBm2TOn1r-ULMtmbW4mMFslM7nnOfeVzQ1xVzNy-6BTV1jlkU_B8DwnbfFJEpQjxYqbwSJm/s1600/IMG_5493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04Ud-doYUKymVxau-OHTM9qBNiPtZboblzsP9PY0SF-6s7O4jaj1p9q1tOAHqZGmRIz2-3gBm2TOn1r-ULMtmbW4mMFslM7nnOfeVzQ1xVzNy-6BTV1jlkU_B8DwnbfFJEpQjxYqbwSJm/s1600/IMG_5493.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<i>Note: Picture taken in the car window looking back while riding through Northern Germany</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Well I am a little bit past the mid way point of my Grand Adventure and I've been processing some travel thoughts.<br />
Here they are (not in specific but rather random order)<br />
<br />
<i>Travel Rule #1: Never pack more than you are willing to carry. Never pack something you can't live without in case it gets lost. Never wear pants with lots of zippers.</i><br />
<br />
I'm doing pretty well with this rule. Of course I had to purchase a suitcase because I've got a terrible case of Souveniritis <i>(the dreaded disease where you think you have to purchase every cute thing you see for yourself and friends because you'll NEVER get a chance to see it again)</i>. However after reviewing the list of things purchased AND trying to pack them into a smaller space (as the airlines are trying to charge me for my extra bag) I've realized that I really REALLY have too much stuff.<br />
<br />
My Anna may have lost her beloved Scortch on the way back from Israel. This stuffed dragon has been with her EVERYWHERE she's been since she was 11 or 12. I really hope she finds it. It's got a special place in her heart.<br />
<br />
Today I got the Full Body Search treatment while going through the Hamburg airport. Dietmar had shared with me that many of the 9/11 terrorists came out of Hamburg so maybe the security is tighter here. They found zippers and metal on my person (pants, shoes,under where) where I never knew they existed before! And I pride myself on being a minimalist traveller--not one of those who has to spend 5 minutes taking things off in security lines. It was amazing. My friend MJ says she always gets searched no matter where she goes. And she finds it a good thing if the search is SOO GOOD that she's smiling when she's finished ;-) (ya gotta know MJ, she's got an amazing sense of humor).<br />
<br />
<i>Travel Rule #2: Always purchase food and drink BEFORE you get on the plane. Always go to the bathroom before you get on the plane. Always arrive at the gate at least 45 minutes before the plane departs. </i><br />
<br />
As my husband well knows, I suffer greatly from HBS (hungry bitch syndrome) where I get VERY nasty if I don't have food in my stomach. I don't care if you're friend or family or friendly stewardess, you will NOT want to piss me off if I don't have enough in my blood sugar. So to keep the Dr Hyde in her proper place, I try to always snack at the gate while I am waiting.<br />
<br />
There's a similar beast that lies within me if I have to pee, but where as Ms HungryHyde is mean. Ms PollyPee is just pathetic. She whines, she worries, she walks funny, she's embarrassing to people who know me (just ask my family). I try to not let her out AT ALL when I'm traveling but I get nervous when I don't know where the nearest bathroom is. It's complicated here in Europe because many public bathrooms require a payment of 1Euro. Always have change ready.<br />
<br />
And as far as getting to the gate, it's good to have enough time to write a rambling blog post while waiting to depart towards my next destination.<br />
<br />
"Home"--Aachen--here I come!<br />
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-89196527354777642462014-02-18T00:29:00.000-06:002014-02-18T00:31:25.531-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYc5cvRQwhyphenhyphenA3_eAS8DKaQXOlKMUQ8mEt6dNrufXH-ZI5vkHii2LIu8YwQOitesUHIhVxpUXnh61DNCljglphHTF8Ca9NptmICrQv7c8KAdIm0Y0YInvofHJajOLoatNktsJvUVnOZXssh/s1600/IMG_5512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYc5cvRQwhyphenhyphenA3_eAS8DKaQXOlKMUQ8mEt6dNrufXH-ZI5vkHii2LIu8YwQOitesUHIhVxpUXnh61DNCljglphHTF8Ca9NptmICrQv7c8KAdIm0Y0YInvofHJajOLoatNktsJvUVnOZXssh/s1600/IMG_5512.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNxD8PX2tYc00xbXsNdcZAKwFoZY81xuclKbBWiBoABuwpSagH0srNfHAph_jGsGTeii3lumQBU-cN2UwQkWvbzpJDcmlAH-cnQkMwiocjrCsljV7QlDnusLoOwYRBcJZta7k-GyDMWFz/s1600/IMG_5540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNxD8PX2tYc00xbXsNdcZAKwFoZY81xuclKbBWiBoABuwpSagH0srNfHAph_jGsGTeii3lumQBU-cN2UwQkWvbzpJDcmlAH-cnQkMwiocjrCsljV7QlDnusLoOwYRBcJZta7k-GyDMWFz/s1600/IMG_5540.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxNp_mCqhWFauUD0mikxT4TR8Yf_aD0SorViirX73GWrF5FLtbliurmj5vVgxi-tvBE-J0R3UKK8ncpDeiL3pc6nTis6n4sYuRFhVTeX1-_KIFthYi_oHEVDCug66d1_i65aZJMZQ9p-j/s1600/IMG_5569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxNp_mCqhWFauUD0mikxT4TR8Yf_aD0SorViirX73GWrF5FLtbliurmj5vVgxi-tvBE-J0R3UKK8ncpDeiL3pc6nTis6n4sYuRFhVTeX1-_KIFthYi_oHEVDCug66d1_i65aZJMZQ9p-j/s1600/IMG_5569.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Having a lovely time here in Hamburg Germany. Didi and Katrin and their lovely Irish Setter/German Shephard Pepee have been ROYAL hosts. We saw the North Sea on Sunday (as mentioned) and yesterday we saw the Baltic. Which is quite a contrast as the Baltic is a very mellow, quiet, gentle sea vs her WILD sister, the North. </div>
<div>
We went to Kiel which has a special place in the hearts of D and K as it's where they went to University. Not at the same time, but still their second "home".Kiel was the site of the 1972 Summer Olympic sailing competition so we went to what was the Olympic Village. It's now apartments and shopping centers, but still a great place to view boats and the sea, I'm so lucky that I can say I've seen the whole of Germany through visits with our friends who live here.</div>
<div>
Spring is starting to "sprout" here as you can see by the little flowers. The weather has been quite lovely, I'm sure a contrast to what my loved ones are dealing with in MN.</div>
<div>
Today (Tuesday) I am off to Aachen to stay with Godsister Marion. The plans are to return to Cologne where the family visited in 2003. I enjoyed the Cathedral so much, I want one more crack at it.</div>
<div>
Know that I am safe, happy and doing well now that I've got a German beer to make me smile ;-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-21219777794907213742014-02-17T02:58:00.001-06:002014-02-17T02:58:09.960-06:00Safe in Germany<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Having arrived here in Hamburg Saturday evening, and promptly sleeping 12 hours (was I tired?), life looked infinitely brighter Sunday morning when I woke up at the lovely home of Didi and Katrin. D is a Pelican Rapids "son" by exchange as he lived in PR during the year 97-98. He has spent a lot of time in PR so it's like being with someone from Home.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvExkmYta7sXcYuYQ-hdWgE2UrtQmiLjONCY9R-KgG0h21S95yY2gBd00lK_JUHy6SObu83qouZn48-CW9DvD_9c-FjiAscBlbuTT7FlOUENdkYLg6zdzIKqgSO6Shl6K_-heOqda_RCNz/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvExkmYta7sXcYuYQ-hdWgE2UrtQmiLjONCY9R-KgG0h21S95yY2gBd00lK_JUHy6SObu83qouZn48-CW9DvD_9c-FjiAscBlbuTT7FlOUENdkYLg6zdzIKqgSO6Shl6K_-heOqda_RCNz/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
We went on a spectacular drive to the North Sea (now I can cross that off my "list") and enjoyed many things. We stopped at a nature preserve area where we saw birds beginning their migratory route home and these wild horses.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosDmkcgIdY1PsIZGnwgynPpvcBn4QfJ7j1JGyGStP8Sd9SOBM6_GgYL7uxlCnaFW0V69gHsLyZY-ycD4DxlgQTW05fF0yTNQk9B-ldL-qVHyfYUHs8GTTDkS-2PdjhXSn-16TbK5gECuo/s1600/IMG_5401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosDmkcgIdY1PsIZGnwgynPpvcBn4QfJ7j1JGyGStP8Sd9SOBM6_GgYL7uxlCnaFW0V69gHsLyZY-ycD4DxlgQTW05fF0yTNQk9B-ldL-qVHyfYUHs8GTTDkS-2PdjhXSn-16TbK5gECuo/s1600/IMG_5401.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>As you can see, the North Sea greeted me before I greeted it (big waves). It was delightfully cold, brisk, salty…just like a sea!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1KxVyI8Cm4VhSE9aee3dlqIFlFSLftxSN8ENUpLI9X3mbKB1REp_PlpLAOA7sZr5AcGhSHx0lpI2fgz6sDOaokv3KGfg1GNCk70ZgP5qQHABGUvXNT3W4d79det0Ciyq-5byMsYm20HB/s1600/IMG_5441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1KxVyI8Cm4VhSE9aee3dlqIFlFSLftxSN8ENUpLI9X3mbKB1REp_PlpLAOA7sZr5AcGhSHx0lpI2fgz6sDOaokv3KGfg1GNCk70ZgP5qQHABGUvXNT3W4d79det0Ciyq-5byMsYm20HB/s1600/IMG_5441.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
This is in an old church(*OLD 1427 was the date on the church wall). The photo shows a family "Box" where the Hans Grobt family sat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU1SlYIa5fSAXJjMtFI_f7D8oLnLamZLRAAF_rhB4Ejq1dRai8oNKxXxcckyeD7wpRm8vgDZYkIF7D2oUJO78kAe2Mv1dW90bJxBAbXUzXuzD-6bDQF6xaXawIaN-nmSZmjNi5L4DmUf-/s1600/IMG_5467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU1SlYIa5fSAXJjMtFI_f7D8oLnLamZLRAAF_rhB4Ejq1dRai8oNKxXxcckyeD7wpRm8vgDZYkIF7D2oUJO78kAe2Mv1dW90bJxBAbXUzXuzD-6bDQF6xaXawIaN-nmSZmjNi5L4DmUf-/s1600/IMG_5467.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Katrin and Didi smiling. They took me to this very interesting old quaint restaurant where they were married in 2009. It had the BEST pie and coffee I think I've had (or at least in a long time). </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
AND they had a wonderful concoction that tasted like egg nog. Darn good. D said that it's tradition to get the mustache when you take the first drink. I thought he was pulling my leg (he's quite capable of doing that) but as I looked at their wedding pictures, I saw several people with the same mustache.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0v6LPPxTVRONyONwtTy3Rdke1eMk8SCmUS4ATZ9rt6bjZwDHjjX7-BWjwSKuN1jnjgcQh7Wp0SSpY3AI4FRNH2fox9WnuHSFxRPwvRvolbSfACM2ibJcXpqC2Osj0fysUC2UWU58YEVt/s1600/IMG_5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0v6LPPxTVRONyONwtTy3Rdke1eMk8SCmUS4ATZ9rt6bjZwDHjjX7-BWjwSKuN1jnjgcQh7Wp0SSpY3AI4FRNH2fox9WnuHSFxRPwvRvolbSfACM2ibJcXpqC2Osj0fysUC2UWU58YEVt/s1600/IMG_5475.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTTHn-vOgtLQBeR5pNMNufNWc098vpDWRglswCMip_rIONg2sKzn95aIf4m-M7RmuF3AgofjHNwfKdEsJ9EKjLVTlJEIZOj_PtDFN_jGUQUIrhP0g41jfpeTOAi-4NNwlyLtrfkI3gOld/s1600/IMG_5495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTTHn-vOgtLQBeR5pNMNufNWc098vpDWRglswCMip_rIONg2sKzn95aIf4m-M7RmuF3AgofjHNwfKdEsJ9EKjLVTlJEIZOj_PtDFN_jGUQUIrhP0g41jfpeTOAi-4NNwlyLtrfkI3gOld/s1600/IMG_5495.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>One cannot help but to be impressed with all of the wind and solar energy techniques being employed here in Northern Germany. </div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-89637204125381024982014-02-14T22:05:00.001-06:002014-02-14T22:25:40.128-06:00Farewell Israel Shalom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our last day in Israel included visiting the Tel Aviv Museum of Modern Art, riding bicycles (although briefly), going for dinner by the beach and leaving the hostel at 3 am in order to get our rental car back by 4am.<br />
<br />
I have really enjoyed this trip for many reasons: 1) I was able to spend time with my daughter, the most time since probably 2011. 2) I finally was able to see the "mysterious Israel"…after living in Kuwait, it seemed like this place had so much allure mainly because we couldn't visit. (well we could but it was sketchy) 3) Travelling is really fun. Yes it's got it's pains and challenges, especially if you're traveling with someone…anyone but all in all, I really enjoy seeing new places, meeting new people, etc.<br />
<br />
But it's time to go. There's a strain here that wears on a person. I don't know if it's because I am so totally unfamiliar with the Jewish customs and practices that I am always afraid I'm going to offend someone or say something wrong. I am not sure if it's because everything is very expensive and I'm always cautious of spending even more money. Although our daughter warned us, I don't think I was prepared for how expensive everything (especially food) actually costs. Readers beware: SAVE UP if you plan to visit.<br />
<br />
Maybe I feel like it's time to go because I'm the tired of being the one in charge. Well that's not really true as I've depended on Anna ALOT for translations, explanations, direction, etc. Believe it or not, I miss traveling with David, as it was always easier to have him make a lot of the decisions. ;-) I owe you one Babe!<br />
<br />
This coming week will find me on four planes, two trains and staying in four different homes. It's going to be a whirlwind visit with each, but I'm looking forward to having a chance to be less of a tourist and more of a friend. What a nice break before I hit it hard in Ireland with friends JER and MJR from Kuwait.<br />
<br />
Bottom line: I'm still trying to process all what I saw, heard, tasted and experienced here. My respect for our daughter has increased significantly as I've discovered that it's sometimes just "hard" to figure things out. As I said earlier, I am so glad I came here after living in the Middle East for five years. It was a great preparatory course.<br />
<br />
A couple photos to end: We toured the Art Museum in Tel Aviv which has a great permanent collection. Here's a couple of photos. Nice way to end the trip. Next report will be from Germany…Cheers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anna viewing a black and white film that really made no sense to me whatsoever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNY8Nw1WgQOkyBod6uusuRLeOgVToTS9xaWHBONxDCO2rEvI6YI_wh0gAaphgBzOKnYEj5s59mRx5LMQQv3uySWWjgJdkczwi12qlUL58Fxk4C9LnrWO-s14Z9cDoLlmqYnK7HfdrPgNU/s1600/IMG_5311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNY8Nw1WgQOkyBod6uusuRLeOgVToTS9xaWHBONxDCO2rEvI6YI_wh0gAaphgBzOKnYEj5s59mRx5LMQQv3uySWWjgJdkczwi12qlUL58Fxk4C9LnrWO-s14Z9cDoLlmqYnK7HfdrPgNU/s1600/IMG_5311.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
A lovely painting of the Wailing Wall by a famous artist. When I took the picture I thought I would remember who, but in actuality, I don't. It's either Monet-Matisse-or Van Gogh…. I think.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwi0J09ymtH-dZ_5S-gTrNj5Nzc4ZKsxUmUVaXTFJezYJrlHAcUuhOk3khW9HgWBk4mbJtBnY3tTS7t9aYKGremxPj1BoLb43tc5I5iZYowDLdflNmZsy5IwkY48mRkNKmlb7Fog6L3B-/s1600/IMG_5315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwi0J09ymtH-dZ_5S-gTrNj5Nzc4ZKsxUmUVaXTFJezYJrlHAcUuhOk3khW9HgWBk4mbJtBnY3tTS7t9aYKGremxPj1BoLb43tc5I5iZYowDLdflNmZsy5IwkY48mRkNKmlb7Fog6L3B-/s1600/IMG_5315.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
The funky parking lot we kept the rental car had art on the walls. The guy was a real crab but I do complement him on his attempt to make his basement dark walls a little bit more cultured.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWigvWh8uYr2-mTPAykGmYDhc_xYxnbE7Fm5rutnjHDN_D8pJgTr-BIE2AmktOLaD2UImp-mKiB8nWBaRbawS7CxvA1DnD4QHnFq994JUNRbdbUKgEYbQQE5vC5ZuiWdhGqmzi2kf7QImp/s1600/IMG_5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWigvWh8uYr2-mTPAykGmYDhc_xYxnbE7Fm5rutnjHDN_D8pJgTr-BIE2AmktOLaD2UImp-mKiB8nWBaRbawS7CxvA1DnD4QHnFq994JUNRbdbUKgEYbQQE5vC5ZuiWdhGqmzi2kf7QImp/s1600/IMG_5330.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am sure that the beaches in Tel Aviv are lovely. Anna talks a lot about how much fun she had at the different beaches in the area. This is a google image. I had this view last night at dinner, only it was dark but I am sure that if it would have been daylight, it looked like this!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8w3jO6xyh5GRU9x1jFS9blPOKCAcBPomarzeZSwaRpsBynuwN-GwqHFq_9xkklv1_P17-wal5ZTh8CQWJq6dQt_-ybXtmEeau-hft4XWHiceFwobvmck1gOJ9_Dc3dIHwki3rUTQFKJn/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8w3jO6xyh5GRU9x1jFS9blPOKCAcBPomarzeZSwaRpsBynuwN-GwqHFq_9xkklv1_P17-wal5ZTh8CQWJq6dQt_-ybXtmEeau-hft4XWHiceFwobvmck1gOJ9_Dc3dIHwki3rUTQFKJn/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
Shalom Israel<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lu-FaSCPKFkC2O_NbJOlhZaurwjjUSYQRn48LH2Ctbrtc6J2tk8UsFBwdSlq7DCWnRa3iHpCOYZClKYTE4yXm2FMcVo7FmcKABhASLbfCl2CcwSzzzayxEbn1EazHRiLnrbCXme_iWK6/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lu-FaSCPKFkC2O_NbJOlhZaurwjjUSYQRn48LH2Ctbrtc6J2tk8UsFBwdSlq7DCWnRa3iHpCOYZClKYTE4yXm2FMcVo7FmcKABhASLbfCl2CcwSzzzayxEbn1EazHRiLnrbCXme_iWK6/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-33558489872552186022014-02-13T16:07:00.001-06:002014-02-13T19:01:48.091-06:00"You have arrived at your Destination" (Nazareth)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the spot where Mary first received word (from an angel) that she was to be the Mother of Jesus. There is a lovely church built over the grotto. After an exciting trip here (see previous blog) we were ready for anything! The Church is beautiful but on the outside as you walk through the courtyard, you are struck by these lovely mosaic depictions of Mary and Jesus from other countries. I am going to guess they are gifts. Here are three of my favorite from China, Thailand and the US.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMIdPsgQSXoHc_5IibTumcVg4lDh-iQsVry51OkaAOufgtY99v314OtMD0IZ7rdBIALim4pEXd0EuPW_gdxm_QF7Dhs306MBw5uPes7z8Dz7Elu1CFtzccBXSTYkZAXUbwGlFV6KVK58W/s1600/IMG_5128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMIdPsgQSXoHc_5IibTumcVg4lDh-iQsVry51OkaAOufgtY99v314OtMD0IZ7rdBIALim4pEXd0EuPW_gdxm_QF7Dhs306MBw5uPes7z8Dz7Elu1CFtzccBXSTYkZAXUbwGlFV6KVK58W/s1600/IMG_5128.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAIpkUcp8mlgoX_Qk6XWgTahgUAyRKb_ZCOZAsOlHPTuVXMf8FNoZGywB1ilBIiZZbD9WWm6Z-NRHJH6KFNmNCfiNwZi58M2n8ZUK_HkVj-oISRIQmd304EkyRjD1wsqIy6OetNucqoSr/s1600/IMG_5131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAIpkUcp8mlgoX_Qk6XWgTahgUAyRKb_ZCOZAsOlHPTuVXMf8FNoZGywB1ilBIiZZbD9WWm6Z-NRHJH6KFNmNCfiNwZi58M2n8ZUK_HkVj-oISRIQmd304EkyRjD1wsqIy6OetNucqoSr/s1600/IMG_5131.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8QbYB0XtAh_AUZ2d2o5zQTqsqgp0uMTUfbiLVJ1jqByVTtom3M5YVrSoplWy8BGnBQ5LXREarkrW7ilAywnFreelqAzlIBreF91slSLU4zcaEpcld5iQO6Geir3sbiacYg1j1aV9BlTW/s1600/IMG_5159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8QbYB0XtAh_AUZ2d2o5zQTqsqgp0uMTUfbiLVJ1jqByVTtom3M5YVrSoplWy8BGnBQ5LXREarkrW7ilAywnFreelqAzlIBreF91slSLU4zcaEpcld5iQO6Geir3sbiacYg1j1aV9BlTW/s1600/IMG_5159.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Today's audience was quite small so we were able to get up closer to the grotto. As mentioned the church and surrounding areas were quite beautiful. Look at those beauties who appeared also!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNW-NVBlVXoV-SSCapmCbvZMHlhBDNRbU1_0D9LMqI2a4veMvEpKtlxj-59JyfcW3Ty-jbMmdRlDk4IZ9-bL4GVpZw5uyYnAGQPXfQdYdqRjvTp3pvLERaeJRY4zbINJzThsiUKxuFX7k/s1600/IMG_5174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNW-NVBlVXoV-SSCapmCbvZMHlhBDNRbU1_0D9LMqI2a4veMvEpKtlxj-59JyfcW3Ty-jbMmdRlDk4IZ9-bL4GVpZw5uyYnAGQPXfQdYdqRjvTp3pvLERaeJRY4zbINJzThsiUKxuFX7k/s1600/IMG_5174.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After we left the Church, we headed off to see a Greek Orthodox church. This involved us wandering through the neighborhoods of Nazareth and the nearby market place. It was fascinating and often times I felt like Jesus and Joseph could appear at any moment. Thanks to Anna's sense of direction we made it to the end but by then we decided that this had been the adventure and we didn't go to the church. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpf7Dl_YW8itRj4UhsDo7s-UF6Np_8AX5ReLsXzOwnGsgTmZ5NIuQDf0LbulaticGrHh4DCqPd_q5oHwjE9ycnC5PRX7DTTVZ09xKrQIgoTEmdMXcrDr2Ilk_l5RA5S5J-X9JmhPjFc4M/s1600/IMG_5186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpf7Dl_YW8itRj4UhsDo7s-UF6Np_8AX5ReLsXzOwnGsgTmZ5NIuQDf0LbulaticGrHh4DCqPd_q5oHwjE9ycnC5PRX7DTTVZ09xKrQIgoTEmdMXcrDr2Ilk_l5RA5S5J-X9JmhPjFc4M/s1600/IMG_5186.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYXbARFIGPpWbqiHyneCO5ptbW_RIzc733zhf-7KrYtCLoBpBlb5oeu24tPIO3i7IZLtdyn51Xf63VNX4TA1QQzSLKRa1OgZ5Q4sHT4UowAf7BHFxiaYZBwzU_cPPo7uUjn_VwwHrsfbc/s1600/IMG_5191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYXbARFIGPpWbqiHyneCO5ptbW_RIzc733zhf-7KrYtCLoBpBlb5oeu24tPIO3i7IZLtdyn51Xf63VNX4TA1QQzSLKRa1OgZ5Q4sHT4UowAf7BHFxiaYZBwzU_cPPo7uUjn_VwwHrsfbc/s1600/IMG_5191.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
As we returned to the main area, I saw this man. I said to Anna: "oh look an Arab in a wheelchair playing the accordion: to which she replied : "Oh you don't know how often I've seen That!" When we walked by him, he played When the Saints Go Marching In. I am sure it was for us!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0bSpY9KEptV3NHy3mgTJ4D3eCW10SGE1o-aXWXe89GJXDINryVFSwHecvzHcQ40V7KI8_f__-25x5W8PX0yScEH0KykjLaYgYvWf6SDaw1wu1S31vcRGpgzh63TLzcRei82sQ7gy8kht/s1600/IMG_5197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0bSpY9KEptV3NHy3mgTJ4D3eCW10SGE1o-aXWXe89GJXDINryVFSwHecvzHcQ40V7KI8_f__-25x5W8PX0yScEH0KykjLaYgYvWf6SDaw1wu1S31vcRGpgzh63TLzcRei82sQ7gy8kht/s1600/IMG_5197.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We left Nazareth and programmed the GPS to take us a scenic overlook. I should say that Anna programmed the GPS as I am doing the driving and she's the map reader, etc. Well we drove for about 50 minutes and ended up in a small village at the end of a dead end road in a cow pasture to which "Patricia" the GPS proudly announced "You have arrived at your destination". We laughed and decided it would make a great picnic spot anyway. As we were sitting on the ground, enjoying our sandwiches and Coke, a huge tour bus also came barreling down the road, turned around and left. We don't know if their GPS was "funny" too or if it was a turnaround. A perfect example of just letting things happen to you while traveling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodhttOvEgoa1ZNVzlUsw2Z-Ohau65h6aqkngzgjRbFtRKlP6y3WHZDjbdR9u_9tU2Aw0mKKdDpL5nVjGCQ0VR-aHy9piNePavMebOeO3bAUZ2H8tNxV3HdsLuSaeHlCHlapXgvM2l3q94/s1600/IMG_5208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodhttOvEgoa1ZNVzlUsw2Z-Ohau65h6aqkngzgjRbFtRKlP6y3WHZDjbdR9u_9tU2Aw0mKKdDpL5nVjGCQ0VR-aHy9piNePavMebOeO3bAUZ2H8tNxV3HdsLuSaeHlCHlapXgvM2l3q94/s1600/IMG_5208.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
And speaking of letting things happen. We saw this lovely Church on a hillside from afar after leaving the big city of (XX-insert name here when Anna tells me ;-)! So we decided to drive there. It turned out to be the Church of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. It was totally beautiful place and is actually a working Franciscan Sisters Convent. We even ran into our friends, the Singing Korean Choir who were singing in the Chapel. (we've been following them accidentally to three previous sites). But it's the picture below that will stick in my memory the longest. I don't know if the Nuns saw the humor in their work, but it made me laugh for a long time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkhF0CBQZhAyYIIlZEFRLxm6299j5p9RIGFISlq6CGFHRsbdGfzoBW81qvn2ae2ijQvf-O8VCFDILFOLLUyRJB83r-8tdCAEE2-0-B-KOdgkSbZVCcUoDBh70bp2ZQCXlAIBCJ71WU-_m/s1600/IMG_5240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkhF0CBQZhAyYIIlZEFRLxm6299j5p9RIGFISlq6CGFHRsbdGfzoBW81qvn2ae2ijQvf-O8VCFDILFOLLUyRJB83r-8tdCAEE2-0-B-KOdgkSbZVCcUoDBh70bp2ZQCXlAIBCJ71WU-_m/s1600/IMG_5240.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHzroSwPXT9v6d6tgOEZdLyAbB2lOtSAYOHwop2cXXrXDteH5ECXk5KTVOzENuxQRf6Vitwk-cy2a9Hb9h5HSK_tp-g1O4dmgYfRp6xidXyqyIoZQB8gD7cJB0mn_zMtW1sKkO3k6bxzX/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHzroSwPXT9v6d6tgOEZdLyAbB2lOtSAYOHwop2cXXrXDteH5ECXk5KTVOzENuxQRf6Vitwk-cy2a9Hb9h5HSK_tp-g1O4dmgYfRp6xidXyqyIoZQB8gD7cJB0mn_zMtW1sKkO3k6bxzX/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
While leaving the Convent, we saw another church in an opposite hillside. Anna says "Oh I've been there Mom, we have to go!" We drove up to a totally modern, almost futurist (Anna said alien ship) Monastery run also by the Catholic Church. This church, finished in 2003, is a look to the future. They have a totally different view. The statues above were actually place on top of a building which allowed this great view. I appreciate visionaries . </div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-43748478068324056962014-02-12T20:09:00.001-06:002014-02-12T20:09:32.208-06:00Stay Left… Stay Left… Stay Left ( a road trip diary)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today Anna and I left Jerusalem and set off across Israel in a rented car. This is quite an adventure for me as usually David is the one who does all the driving when we travel overseas. But, Anna wanted to see some parts of Israel she hasn't visited and so it's my "duty" to be the driver.<br />
First we headed to Haifa<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJxBjxoODh9dcEG6FwfGb229hXDzY7fRTRkeCuOQPjZeN6o8GNxMGGFxZHiAIv9j4tYra4v2R-IWtcnCRF9tt8588FmoX8-Ec1j0cRo4fgASuTq37AcsXwlhlvr0qatEx75adNwjMng2o/s1600/IMG_5055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJxBjxoODh9dcEG6FwfGb229hXDzY7fRTRkeCuOQPjZeN6o8GNxMGGFxZHiAIv9j4tYra4v2R-IWtcnCRF9tt8588FmoX8-Ec1j0cRo4fgASuTq37AcsXwlhlvr0qatEx75adNwjMng2o/s1600/IMG_5055.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXf4IEc4szIVPmdFBOb9qLybBe6e3By07hZUYWAzvvPPuH8bLxR8glYlWY9xQYOBjQYj9HZVA-BHSRJLOmqNO5sFwc-olbr0rU22F-JD3bxTgludmYZXsZPOcXZrrDy50TzuEubXj56KL_/s1600/IMG_5060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXf4IEc4szIVPmdFBOb9qLybBe6e3By07hZUYWAzvvPPuH8bLxR8glYlWY9xQYOBjQYj9HZVA-BHSRJLOmqNO5sFwc-olbr0rU22F-JD3bxTgludmYZXsZPOcXZrrDy50TzuEubXj56KL_/s1600/IMG_5060.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
The city itself isn't that wonderful. It's a port town and there was lots of congestion. We did have an interesting experience with the Cat Lady of Haifa… this older woman was leaning over by our car feeding her "babies", about 10 local feral cats. She was totally oblivious to the fact that she was leaning on our car as I started it up. The cat that had jumped on the hood lazily decided to get off. There are no pictures because we were too intrigued watching her.<br />
<br />
The story behind the title is that the GPS (which we have named Patricia) keeps on telling me to STAY LEFT. I think we've taken 5 right turns in the whole country! As usual, Anna does a great job of reading the maps, listening to "Patricia" and telling me where to drive. We've only had one screwup but more on that later.<br />
<br />
Our next stop is Atta, a sleepier town that has great history. It seemed to be definitely non-tourist time as we almost had the mosque and the old town to ourselves. We enjoyed leisurely wandering. Unlike her mother, my children (Ben and Anna both) have an almost eirie ability to walk through places and remember exactly where they are and how to return to the starting point. Thank goodness because we wandered quite a bit.<br />
<br />
To honor our family and friends, we stopped by the seaside and had a beer and toasted people in colder climates. Here are some photos of our walk.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FE4tEyqR89xIICil2VU4mnpGsb0twmuLHWErtikZnQXOn6esxq4vNNXmnmUTCbOpQxUjtgg1OmguEfwqMOwRK5nQrYD1EkQxAcKNtcPC-jobloot86DloUNPW0R16yz4JYKZpW3vaW7n/s1600/IMG_5081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FE4tEyqR89xIICil2VU4mnpGsb0twmuLHWErtikZnQXOn6esxq4vNNXmnmUTCbOpQxUjtgg1OmguEfwqMOwRK5nQrYD1EkQxAcKNtcPC-jobloot86DloUNPW0R16yz4JYKZpW3vaW7n/s1600/IMG_5081.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS1n57gV6j16wHJpa16Hwam-yDfvlUwdbM7v7JphaACYPSqWKixo_yBg_HUDEg6JIgp0oi78t7gPCuZVUsBbI6PHXtAc7elPUZtIlkdLYkRY1BO-30Qd8slQrNp_as3mxMBdgQE0O9aDw/s1600/IMG_5098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS1n57gV6j16wHJpa16Hwam-yDfvlUwdbM7v7JphaACYPSqWKixo_yBg_HUDEg6JIgp0oi78t7gPCuZVUsBbI6PHXtAc7elPUZtIlkdLYkRY1BO-30Qd8slQrNp_as3mxMBdgQE0O9aDw/s1600/IMG_5098.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_xiGXlsI-68I20BR6YR3PVC8AVZbi85YBn3QB1fPAS0EeXAI1NCWChcAhMDCDteqgXI3jZRqZDOJ4fWcLvQJ1YI3JJqSQTD5NWj-3xKSOLIrj-BjV5rwHUJeOsGMgJVs5WRX11TOXT5X/s1600/IMG_5100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_xiGXlsI-68I20BR6YR3PVC8AVZbi85YBn3QB1fPAS0EeXAI1NCWChcAhMDCDteqgXI3jZRqZDOJ4fWcLvQJ1YI3JJqSQTD5NWj-3xKSOLIrj-BjV5rwHUJeOsGMgJVs5WRX11TOXT5X/s1600/IMG_5100.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
We left Atta just at sundown and headed to our place of rest, Nazareth. As we were driving, I was thinking about how lucky we had been during the day with finding places to park, seeing interesting things and just having time to be together. Nothing monumental, just good times.<br />
<br />
And then we arrived in Nazareth….<br />
<br />
We actually got to turn RIGHT into the town and started what seemed to be a long dark ascent. It was a little creepy driving as there weren't many street lights. Up and down, around and around, through narrow streets we drove. Anna had us on the GPS and "Patricia" kept telling us where to go, but it was a little spooky. At one point Anna said "Maybe she's taking us on non toll roads". It made sense, although it was still creepy.<br />
<br />
Down the hill to what appeared to be a parking lot (or auto repair shop lot). I turned right (again!) and headed up a road. Nope, it ended with a large cement barrier across the road. "You turned the wrong way" said Anna and "Patricia" (although I only heard my daughter) So I turned around and started over, turning where both ladies said I should. We ended up on top of the hill at a VERY FANCY (think Kuwaiti) home complete with security alarm, barking dogs AND bleating sheep (I kid you not)<br />
<br />
What I didn't mention is that both of these times, we could SEE the hotel but couldn't figure out HOW to get to it! But, third time was the charm, and we ended our journey in a beautiful (least expensive hotel so far) space with a lovely swimming pool, marble floors and walls AND a fantastic Japanese choir singing by the pool!<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we will see what historical sites we can find and then spend the evening in Tel Aviv where Anna will attend a cast party. I'm going to be having close conversations with my suitcase and see just how I can rearrange all my newest possessions….<br />
<br />
Until the next time, here's a bit of sun for those of you in the Frozen Tundra<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVv-enrB6sqrWAvvNftqXPwku7vSBRKx-aBaVJs5nvgNFUGt2vnZQBzQq1lia8z_UTa9SjfKD_Ap-aopbRKvk6i_5xAh3uVvgQyXfeUn2r8iGnvmOZZcCNM-S_fTIdDUbHnNB9M8h92d2/s1600/IMG_5107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVv-enrB6sqrWAvvNftqXPwku7vSBRKx-aBaVJs5nvgNFUGt2vnZQBzQq1lia8z_UTa9SjfKD_Ap-aopbRKvk6i_5xAh3uVvgQyXfeUn2r8iGnvmOZZcCNM-S_fTIdDUbHnNB9M8h92d2/s1600/IMG_5107.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-82675155389634426552014-02-12T01:13:00.003-06:002014-02-12T01:13:56.493-06:00Wandering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anna's final night in AIDA. People were impressed (it's hard to write glowing reviews of one's own daughter) and several commented to her and me (of course I told them I was her MOTHER!) about how Wonderful she was. Geesh, maybe we'll both stay in Israel ;-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX1yfU4iFB1iImGxBsOU2sVMKWge6H8-g9o4G3vjJdIZShduITKbHQ54_rFbBy85RDzlPBGerfhhNTQayufYP6DOganlUhEn_a841kt1mVe5tViZN02keqP1fsoVyw6y6oc2hcZERekU3/s1600/IMG_5019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX1yfU4iFB1iImGxBsOU2sVMKWge6H8-g9o4G3vjJdIZShduITKbHQ54_rFbBy85RDzlPBGerfhhNTQayufYP6DOganlUhEn_a841kt1mVe5tViZN02keqP1fsoVyw6y6oc2hcZERekU3/s1600/IMG_5019.JPG" height="259" width="320" /></a></div>
This is the area near the place where Jesus was crucified and buried in the tomb. There are hundreds of markets. So of course, one thinks of Jesus throwing down the tables in the marketplace and being angry at the sellers. BUT there's such wonderful things to be observed and purchased. I was very good with my pocketbook, but oh to return with empty suitcases and full pocketbooks!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnXdLk7V4U6yAeXI2QKatt6FGaREOhyphenhyphenMIUPWW6yWNUMJe4Z_PAsz-eA8WUcWPefpKtUNiKfgylNCeL1T0AIEucnmKEkCmj_YrB-qM3hqe9G-vyCxnNGXia0XJ2BXjHd1DEq_Z2r9D3qG6/s1600/IMG_4970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnXdLk7V4U6yAeXI2QKatt6FGaREOhyphenhyphenMIUPWW6yWNUMJe4Z_PAsz-eA8WUcWPefpKtUNiKfgylNCeL1T0AIEucnmKEkCmj_YrB-qM3hqe9G-vyCxnNGXia0XJ2BXjHd1DEq_Z2r9D3qG6/s1600/IMG_4970.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
So here's an interesting story. We were wandering around this area, Nachlaot, which was a fascinating neighborhood. Anna says it's where the religious people and college students live. I spied this sign for an Art store, so in we went. We had a great conversation with the owner (on right) and complimented him on his art. Then the gentleman on the left came in (with a 3/4 empty bottle of whisky..it was 11 am) and he proceeded to tell us he had been a medical student from London who is now living in Jerusalem and he "Works" at a magician, entertainer, inspirational speaker. He invited us to a Shabbat (holy day) dinner but unfortunately we won't be here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7X1Y6W9zOoef9fJeC76y3fUjU0xu4NyQyS_JFlNesQKj48SIKRSOt4cOLu0EIulg-4dgZD_rnzQz30TKjG9rFOQjDgir6ad7D2RJnpDJjQ66ktRBDNpD7w2XPUpUmRIpX_N67a7mYTCC/s1600/IMG_4886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7X1Y6W9zOoef9fJeC76y3fUjU0xu4NyQyS_JFlNesQKj48SIKRSOt4cOLu0EIulg-4dgZD_rnzQz30TKjG9rFOQjDgir6ad7D2RJnpDJjQ66ktRBDNpD7w2XPUpUmRIpX_N67a7mYTCC/s1600/IMG_4886.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Love these doors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vnA9BifK-wP4hTj5I3FISOS8xc9JgjJfF5nJPIaiA-Eze0Xi0XlQrYW4nlcZKOWvDdd9kHjY-Qkidhr7Ge9t9IZtBdJIlV3lkmoEuKRVZgyov-QV2xjZn3nkflBjCk-WxrC7YBCg0gmc/s1600/IMG_4888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vnA9BifK-wP4hTj5I3FISOS8xc9JgjJfF5nJPIaiA-Eze0Xi0XlQrYW4nlcZKOWvDdd9kHjY-Qkidhr7Ge9t9IZtBdJIlV3lkmoEuKRVZgyov-QV2xjZn3nkflBjCk-WxrC7YBCg0gmc/s1600/IMG_4888.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Anna purchased some earrings from Doodoo the oriental jeweler. (that's what his sign said…)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5m5ETe7Y1H74gzjLUM9HG16ngfhO4tnnPj0dNAzh0qbtcxbcRW0Z_SqLFDPIZUWbPiMab0tFDC2ujQhC_H9mjr1WGS74Ql0NuHIJgg2FfP_VwrwtcvzXTf0NcvNLtkoUMWjS752H7gvn/s1600/IMG_4938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5m5ETe7Y1H74gzjLUM9HG16ngfhO4tnnPj0dNAzh0qbtcxbcRW0Z_SqLFDPIZUWbPiMab0tFDC2ujQhC_H9mjr1WGS74Ql0NuHIJgg2FfP_VwrwtcvzXTf0NcvNLtkoUMWjS752H7gvn/s1600/IMG_4938.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Love this photo although Anna has scolded me several times to stop taking pictures of religious people (sorry, can't help it!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jerusalem is complex. There is so much happening here politically, culturally, historically that one easily gets overwhelmed. However, I have enjoyed talking with people. I think if the leaders of countries would just try having conversations with people instead of worrying who is right, who is more powerful and how is "in charge", the world would be a better place. Shalom</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4Xk2Nkjmr1XsweJc4zU4THoE50lVMj1n9KmBNTq0BnB2xfqlpV3TtLFO-QXmuPJr93yBxpQoUuogO-cdEHO25A8D_re_hGyRPK9hSkPFbDDuczGYansIX_GkDyYrvUVmkvxjvaEBpGye/s1600/IMG_4880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4Xk2Nkjmr1XsweJc4zU4THoE50lVMj1n9KmBNTq0BnB2xfqlpV3TtLFO-QXmuPJr93yBxpQoUuogO-cdEHO25A8D_re_hGyRPK9hSkPFbDDuczGYansIX_GkDyYrvUVmkvxjvaEBpGye/s1600/IMG_4880.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-16850620178245957252014-02-10T17:03:00.000-06:002014-02-10T17:03:31.019-06:00She's Back on Stage and She's FABULOUS!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The reason why I came to Israel (other than to play tourist) was to see Anna in the Hebrew University production of the Elton John/Tim Rice Musical AIDA. She played Mereb, the slave (the role usually played by a male). She has three songs, lots of acting words AND a death scene. This is probably her best role (says the proud mother BUT also the Drama Director!) So very proud of her.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSiF4Fm7nvrfi__i4pQqocVRQjEv3I8OIjAZOqNjLOodlstD9BceEixiL0hFZABEn6ipf3kZQMj4re0ETxKjYd_PMP2rU-sEnG_QEgtqIoaxtGQTeCX5gW2BRwJMxPidJLGhmKeWmC6CJ/s1600/IMG_4688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSiF4Fm7nvrfi__i4pQqocVRQjEv3I8OIjAZOqNjLOodlstD9BceEixiL0hFZABEn6ipf3kZQMj4re0ETxKjYd_PMP2rU-sEnG_QEgtqIoaxtGQTeCX5gW2BRwJMxPidJLGhmKeWmC6CJ/s1600/IMG_4688.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMoHRQTHxY2vOh1wS43F9LwE4Fo-OEhyGkKZ7OHqQWgFugW_ejEFwqrlDWxxJoITsbd5Yy0g4V2mUJyDCCIz4DUwazcWMEX6owoUNSWdebxhU7SOEej0zSllGYOamYJOeZofYy1ICiOqP/s1600/IMG_4689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMoHRQTHxY2vOh1wS43F9LwE4Fo-OEhyGkKZ7OHqQWgFugW_ejEFwqrlDWxxJoITsbd5Yy0g4V2mUJyDCCIz4DUwazcWMEX6owoUNSWdebxhU7SOEej0zSllGYOamYJOeZofYy1ICiOqP/s1600/IMG_4689.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEKVgcwQlGXkQvE_N_fus6Xy71FOtB1WTS0g1OXFrg-HS_pV5ci6f27BbbbkZMQFtQMCeyrIbQhiFTwmeUPOs0fdaKzjMlukx4mOelX_QH8w__rALrpRW8UmrZRXbhsMPVAEOUR1e0pR9/s1600/IMG_4723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEKVgcwQlGXkQvE_N_fus6Xy71FOtB1WTS0g1OXFrg-HS_pV5ci6f27BbbbkZMQFtQMCeyrIbQhiFTwmeUPOs0fdaKzjMlukx4mOelX_QH8w__rALrpRW8UmrZRXbhsMPVAEOUR1e0pR9/s1600/IMG_4723.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFpO7-y2fOopuAyGWDkAiYNEm3-jf9a3-1OQ21MndSdfVSzkgkgEzvcxYLDaAhjCQXX47bSL4wjTqNeQav4Zs7aB65lZ2N7bA6001nQ3fZ-IN9c8robgM1xuzXkCg3bLvxQOG9gmqSpvR/s1600/IMG_4774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFpO7-y2fOopuAyGWDkAiYNEm3-jf9a3-1OQ21MndSdfVSzkgkgEzvcxYLDaAhjCQXX47bSL4wjTqNeQav4Zs7aB65lZ2N7bA6001nQ3fZ-IN9c8robgM1xuzXkCg3bLvxQOG9gmqSpvR/s1600/IMG_4774.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlusyJdeYj5PvsqNqFsc8rObpt8i3z_90roxrLRUMh5BacYOZjcquSva4RslAlXsRH3gya4h2VT5ueEyaaTVRSKEGp7kISHnD2EyniFh1LCdH_5Otn1Wa8Uja5HHjWK28UpLRGZHYT6YC/s1600/IMG_4801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlusyJdeYj5PvsqNqFsc8rObpt8i3z_90roxrLRUMh5BacYOZjcquSva4RslAlXsRH3gya4h2VT5ueEyaaTVRSKEGp7kISHnD2EyniFh1LCdH_5Otn1Wa8Uja5HHjWK28UpLRGZHYT6YC/s1600/IMG_4801.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1coDAV9BfqLjLL_xR7fMGIck6uF0oB9rYncVRPS_GsdHo3suUU9nYSjiKrLAAtjtcDVrBLykOfrF6v99oXVlb2rQxd8cNYhd2WRNEmuFjZeVqsPiFzW06tTNNyFQknywKXtwJBpgsElsJ/s1600/IMG_4807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1coDAV9BfqLjLL_xR7fMGIck6uF0oB9rYncVRPS_GsdHo3suUU9nYSjiKrLAAtjtcDVrBLykOfrF6v99oXVlb2rQxd8cNYhd2WRNEmuFjZeVqsPiFzW06tTNNyFQknywKXtwJBpgsElsJ/s1600/IMG_4807.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4oGq0ztQfZX9KCO7qCOoEOs64pTyx3LVbbtmbQTO_xt4Le31lfGz3hTjj4mc2TQg7L7BvJokQB8zHA6YzZg6hoP-enaJQBkf_BUkVjOcq79x2OJUoDavYF3pdlfKFcScYAS4VbCkqh6f/s1600/IMG_4809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4oGq0ztQfZX9KCO7qCOoEOs64pTyx3LVbbtmbQTO_xt4Le31lfGz3hTjj4mc2TQg7L7BvJokQB8zHA6YzZg6hoP-enaJQBkf_BUkVjOcq79x2OJUoDavYF3pdlfKFcScYAS4VbCkqh6f/s1600/IMG_4809.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAl3hc9mqY-YzbsGQlR_3tAQ4CUT3_dhg-KbNbBaJZYnaJf-tdkGiKJQw5l35kdG3vLG_Mw1mnXQ7sQhPA1t9kzTDsPAQ70I-8ic2Zo3qrEdxlIMOF40JENuW_Hu7tSpYTat2a84CLG5R/s1600/IMG_4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAl3hc9mqY-YzbsGQlR_3tAQ4CUT3_dhg-KbNbBaJZYnaJf-tdkGiKJQw5l35kdG3vLG_Mw1mnXQ7sQhPA1t9kzTDsPAQ70I-8ic2Zo3qrEdxlIMOF40JENuW_Hu7tSpYTat2a84CLG5R/s1600/IMG_4845.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix4iKmKNQdg6sSWv4fZT5EQTtvnwIIz0_CvfIMgcgp2y2rT-XDvDVs9T-9zH3Aceegr7LbO-hrp4qoHxH3dbm2Xr8M_UszVQeT6f3LpYxl_20T7GCFclQAUl77urC3E5m8jlSnSc_2b5E/s1600/IMG_4861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix4iKmKNQdg6sSWv4fZT5EQTtvnwIIz0_CvfIMgcgp2y2rT-XDvDVs9T-9zH3Aceegr7LbO-hrp4qoHxH3dbm2Xr8M_UszVQeT6f3LpYxl_20T7GCFclQAUl77urC3E5m8jlSnSc_2b5E/s1600/IMG_4861.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-3573754679423914712014-02-09T22:17:00.001-06:002014-02-10T03:15:21.049-06:00Write what's on your heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Before leaving for Israel, a good friend of mine wanted the following souvenir,<br />
"Don't bring me anything back, just write and tell me what's on your heart when you visit the sites where Jesus walked".<br />
Well, if that's not a daunting task, I don't know what is… but it certainly had me thinking.<br />
<br />
Below is an excerpt from the letter I wrote to him. The picture is from the Church of the Nativity. An Orthodox priest guards the main alter above the manger site.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxJHfNB6mg1ixXYKZ_wWg6fXTv_B5naeQAoGS6vjpJABga9eh5hi9lVi5KP2BPQskhwj2mwpbA59Img38Hze7yImlMGlNkQ-cAycldf834kEiWzBhLuzwUa9KA35IfcdNZF-X4gsHju6-/s1600/IMG_4200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxJHfNB6mg1ixXYKZ_wWg6fXTv_B5naeQAoGS6vjpJABga9eh5hi9lVi5KP2BPQskhwj2mwpbA59Img38Hze7yImlMGlNkQ-cAycldf834kEiWzBhLuzwUa9KA35IfcdNZF-X4gsHju6-/s1600/IMG_4200.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_58" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
Superficially, I am enjoying Israel and the experience. I will say that it helped tremendously to have lived in the Middle East before coming here. So much seems the same to me and thankfully it's in a comforting way. I wasn't aware of how much until I sat on a tour bus on Friday next to a Doctor from Belgium (educated but very naive in the world-sense) and to see things through his eyes was interesting. I kept telling him to relax that the Muslims weren't going to hurt him when he'd appear nervous.</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_63" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
Touring Bethlehem is at first a challenging experience because it's like entering another country. One enters from Jerusalem through a border control -like gate. Passports required (but not checked). Jewish people aren't allowed. The tour guide snuck through but he said "I will not open my mouth as they will know who I am and possibly shoot me" (how's that for a heart warming statement?!)</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_68" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
The sites are so accessible (yes there are crowds) so it's a bit overwhelming. To actually "touch" the birth place of Jesus and the spots where he dropped the cross (station 4?) and were the nails were pounded into his hands and to see the site of the tomb… all within about 30 minutes….and on top of it, we were in the Church (built on the sites) where there was a Catholic service with the organ playing and singing priests and incense to boot! alongside the Armenia monks chanting (oh yeah and more incense) and then the guide says "Would you like to go into the tomb of Joseph of Armethia, the man who probably put Jesus in his own tomb?" I lost it at that point and had to sit down (in the cave) and sort of regroup.</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_73" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
SO did I have a religious experience? Not really. There is actually something called Jerusalem Syndrome where, after visiting these sites, people think they are Jesus or a prophet. I didn't know this but I've found several sources that confirm it. Anna said she saw a guy at a coffee shop once here who claimed to be Jesus.</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_78" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
I guess what was in my heart was that a) how profoundly blessed I am to have the opportunity to view these sites. b) how amazed I am at my daughter that she can survive here for 6 months. It's very different (imagine three cultures clashing at once…yes I know, sort of like your school ;-) and it's very expensive. (what's money right?)</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_84" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
When I return, I will do more reading on the political and religious background of the area because I know there's a whole lot of information that I am totally missing. And yes I know one book isn't going to explain it all.</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_90" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
I've been wearing my Canadian pin as to not be too obviously American. I saw a demonstration (small) today that had young people carrying a banner and trying to block off a highway. The person next to me on the bus translated the banner to say "We won't take what Kerry is trying to tell us". "Oh" I said and started talking about Hockey and Moosehead beer ;-)</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<br id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_95" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1392004349833_26" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
It's going to take me a while to process the whole experience. But at the moment I can say it was a very good one.</div>
</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-23119311582377114642014-02-09T19:19:00.001-06:002014-02-09T19:19:09.610-06:00I've finally got it… the SOLUTION to World Peace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVjxUc-X4Oez8bneIjGWAQk-Ezuf1OlOX0XzOhGEzyOBKmkWWhRI8B47TiMALfr5phHCKJdqlxJ80CQQa3n6XZNgYuYAoCHytRU8x3dW7JVLV01iDjT3IID8PFGLm69wm8X3P2qW08Zq8/s1600/IMG_4572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVjxUc-X4Oez8bneIjGWAQk-Ezuf1OlOX0XzOhGEzyOBKmkWWhRI8B47TiMALfr5phHCKJdqlxJ80CQQa3n6XZNgYuYAoCHytRU8x3dW7JVLV01iDjT3IID8PFGLm69wm8X3P2qW08Zq8/s1600/IMG_4572.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>Souvenir necklaces purchased from the two Bedoins in the picture below. It was "Such a deal I tell you"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS3_l-4CVr3Hk54CiGsaUdQgWEz1EYYYOF2FKE5vHY-nrNCki3icKrAzqMmPg-Kzyh2B0K-jly5Igx2n-Cz-Jl2GXFVxcVt3zfJsqA6GKh-ng0xKOa0wu_3Jr3LIgKififF7rrqUfqVRj/s1600/IMG_4571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS3_l-4CVr3Hk54CiGsaUdQgWEz1EYYYOF2FKE5vHY-nrNCki3icKrAzqMmPg-Kzyh2B0K-jly5Igx2n-Cz-Jl2GXFVxcVt3zfJsqA6GKh-ng0xKOa0wu_3Jr3LIgKififF7rrqUfqVRj/s1600/IMG_4571.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Those of you who have travelled with me know that when I am asked by a waitress, flight attendant, service person etc if there is anything else they can get for me, I always say "World Peace". I am ALWAYS serious, but it's a little game I play to see what kind of response I get from people. Yesterday at the hotel when replied, the young woman looked at me with all seriousness and replied: "It's certainly on my bucket list".<br />
<br />
As I am reviewing the collection of souvenirs I've collected in the past few days, I have determined that if EVERYONE did as much contribution to our world's economy when they travel as I do, then countries would have enough money and there wouldn't be a need to fight or argue politically… everything would be okay.<br />
<br />
So at this moment I am proposing that we start an Economic and Political revolution and buy more souvenirs. You know what the song says "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me".<br />
<br />
There honey, how's that for rationalization?!<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>NOTE Of APOLOGY: I am not sure what exactly is wrong with the blog entry below. I've tried to fix it and it won't work. I think it was because I used cut and paste. Oh well, that's what you get when a non-techie person writes a blog. Sorry...</i></div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-13353816354590305572014-02-09T13:55:00.002-06:002014-02-09T14:05:21.988-06:00This won't be happening to me (I think?!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" lang="en" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 1.6em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.1em; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span dir="auto">Jerusalem syndrome</span></h1>
<div id="bodyContent" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.5em; position: relative; width: 919px;">
<div id="siteSub" style="display: inline; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Photo taken on the wall of St Catherine's church near the birth (manger) site in Bethlehem</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfV1LJ7Zx7cSu4UaKmh6xu6bqXyYws3dDy6SSmi7Fjj0g7WdzYj9UNYDmYIoCy9GrelfMPoJMAPFD8tsvJ54N9LDoXQXy_FvkUB-M4rZjhg6RMqNZBVu1nGxv34_rxwQ_UhGpYxt3uSzl/s1600/IMG_4236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfV1LJ7Zx7cSu4UaKmh6xu6bqXyYws3dDy6SSmi7Fjj0g7WdzYj9UNYDmYIoCy9GrelfMPoJMAPFD8tsvJ54N9LDoXQXy_FvkUB-M4rZjhg6RMqNZBVu1nGxv34_rxwQ_UhGpYxt3uSzl/s1600/IMG_4236.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="mw-content-ltr" dir="ltr" id="mw-content-text" lang="en" style="direction: ltr;">
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<i>Of course as I've never visited Jerusalem before, I hadn't heard of this. While browsing the Lonely Planet book on Israel that is my new "bible", I noticed this. When mentioning it to Anna, she says she saw a man who thought he was Jesus outside a coffee shop once.</i></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
A portion of the article written by Katie Lambert on HowStuffWorks (internet)</div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px;">
You're on a guided tour of<a href="http://maps.howstuffworks.com/jerusalem-downtown-map.htm" style="color: #005288; text-decoration: none;">Jerusalem</a>, and your friend begins acting strangely. At first you think he's just <a href="http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/jet-lag-prevention-dictionary.htm" style="color: #005288; text-decoration: none;">jet-lagged</a> and tired, but once he's wandering around in bed sheets and proclaiming himself John the Baptist, you know something's really wrong. Your friend has Jerusalem Syndrome.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-top: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Jerusalem is an important place to a great many people, especially followers of three of the world's major religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Jerusalem is the Holy City, and pilgrims flock to it every year to come closer to the foundations of their faith. For Jews, the entire city is holy, but especially the Western Wall, which is all that remains of the great Temple destroyed by the Romans. Muslims come to the <a href="http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/dome-of-the-rock-landmark.htm" style="color: #005288; text-decoration: none;">Dome of the Rock</a>, a shrine that is the third-holiest place in the Islam faith. Christians make pilgrimages to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which marks the spot where Jesus is said to be crucified and buried, and the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus is said to have traveled carrying his cross.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-top: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Jerusalem is also a highly political city, bitterly fought over by different religious and cultural factions. So in this ancient place, rich with a painful and beautiful history, perhaps it's not surprising that those who go there searching for meaning find more than what they were bargaining for. Imagine that you're a small-town girl from middle America, raised on the Bible, and you're standing at the exact same spot where Jesus, your savior, is supposed to have died. You might be disappointed -- this ordinary-looking dusty spot is what I came here to see? On the other hand, you might react with joy or awe. At this moment, you are so close to your God that it's overwhelming.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-32397555752483352032014-02-09T13:32:00.003-06:002014-02-09T13:39:03.430-06:00I once met a dentist named Chewy (and other things that don't seem strange when you live in a place)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is an Israeli fire hydrant. Probably doesn't look funny to someone who lives here, but every time I see these things, I just crack it. To me, it's an alien, or an animated creature (can't you just see the smiley face that should would be placed below the "eyes?"). I am sure that people who live here don't think this is odd. When I mentioned it to Anna, she looked at me like "Crazy Crack Mom". Actually she's always done that to me, but I couldn't believe she couldn't see the humor in this.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_7X2_vIpZ-RSU_hNEYeJeI-yCcqlJg_DZGpK4IZP6zugi4hDF6JGLZN_dgP0ug9IK9wUjgrfiW9A5xMGyfXwTe5DKGJgih_hQtbh23Mwj3Jkjs7kOxLHA_v5Rq05eQ91nlW6l0-yOA9x/s1600/IMG_4658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_7X2_vIpZ-RSU_hNEYeJeI-yCcqlJg_DZGpK4IZP6zugi4hDF6JGLZN_dgP0ug9IK9wUjgrfiW9A5xMGyfXwTe5DKGJgih_hQtbh23Mwj3Jkjs7kOxLHA_v5Rq05eQ91nlW6l0-yOA9x/s1600/IMG_4658.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8HYRMOR-5TnXOJ5bFaBVhOOqXbNTymJiMFiQElODtcoEa3Hprn8_VuRgO8jik4JC5SeJXz6s9pKTCxhNOCUmWHEl0oy3KuPkVKKKb6YID1EE793Il2CLyKOEyeLwH5tGP2jBPgMm1R0Q/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8HYRMOR-5TnXOJ5bFaBVhOOqXbNTymJiMFiQElODtcoEa3Hprn8_VuRgO8jik4JC5SeJXz6s9pKTCxhNOCUmWHEl0oy3KuPkVKKKb6YID1EE793Il2CLyKOEyeLwH5tGP2jBPgMm1R0Q/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>Here's another one. When I first saw the sign, I thought "Cool… King Solomon (from the bible) is right ahead." I smiled thinking there was a tomb up ahead (I know he's dead right?) It truly took me a while to realize that it's a large hotel in Jerusalem. So I took the picture anyway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also notice the sign behind it. Everything (signage anyway) is translated in to three languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English. That's amazing to someone living in the United States as we only have one to choose from (at least most places). There are the totally different cultures, languages and "dress codes" happening here in this city and for the most part they PEACE ON EARTH </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
has a whole new definition here in this part of the world. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vWe9BmLmpNqvhyphenhyphenZopXPwkgE-g-TSGaBGStA5ftMzh925A99pf4IXTGyGoyR7evVlvY5mRxtmUIT6BP6jM_wWP3k-SdRD7PHmoeyaYoT4PzGOowliKxUg_GvtmTSmW0AVCtm5mV1Yg8TV/s1600/IMG_4676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vWe9BmLmpNqvhyphenhyphenZopXPwkgE-g-TSGaBGStA5ftMzh925A99pf4IXTGyGoyR7evVlvY5mRxtmUIT6BP6jM_wWP3k-SdRD7PHmoeyaYoT4PzGOowliKxUg_GvtmTSmW0AVCtm5mV1Yg8TV/s1600/IMG_4676.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
And finally, speaking of Peace, I have a real sense of peace now that I can put my arms around my beautiful daughter after 6 months separation. We enjoyed a beer together (a first for us at least in a public space) as she turned 21 this week. She's looking good and sounding good. Amazing how one's children can grow up to become real, interesting people! I saw her brother earlier this week, and he's doing great too. Happy Momma!! And now that I've got that part of peace on earth solved ( at least momentarily), I shall sign off. One bit at a time right?!<br />
<br />
Oh by the way, I really did meet a dentist named Chewy in Mexico. I was familiar with that name because it's a recognized Mexican nickname for someone whose first name is Jose. I've even taught a Chewy. However, the fact that this man in San Blas was a dentist made me laugh (not in his face, I was raised better than that!) However, my brother and sis in law (who know the man personally) didn't see the humor initially. </div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-56149194324900660112014-02-08T11:14:00.001-06:002014-02-08T11:14:30.668-06:00We Will Remember Masada… and not let it happen again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I went to Masada, which is a historically significant place here. I admit I had never heard of it until about a month ago when the travel agent suggested that I see it. It's on the top of a large rock near the Dead Sea. The significance is that there is a large fort built on top (by King Herod among others) and it was inhabited by Israeli inhabitants. The Romans (yes this was some time ago) wanted to attack the fort and so they staged a siege. It's quite a ways up to the top so it took them about four days to get there. Meanwhile, the Israelis soldiers decided that rather than end up slaves, they killed themselves so when the Romans got there… SURPRISE!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2HrJRg6x5PEc4HbJHrsB3TJAkC2Gj55HhIw_XcqSI4VlThXET1jGXc0KkVeOqeavuvjGitm-A7h9U1MOOJizsiCtq1KBMXhMVBlWf_RHa9vcTLNMBsAttH_YR6pjeIrGCO6g7FDVymgG/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2HrJRg6x5PEc4HbJHrsB3TJAkC2Gj55HhIw_XcqSI4VlThXET1jGXc0KkVeOqeavuvjGitm-A7h9U1MOOJizsiCtq1KBMXhMVBlWf_RHa9vcTLNMBsAttH_YR6pjeIrGCO6g7FDVymgG/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Apparently the Israelis now have this "We Will Remember Masada" as their Mantra now and vow never to get themselves in a position where they are attacked with no way out again.<br />
<br />
At Least I think that's what it is. I find myself sorta of tuning out when the tour guides get on their political high horse. (Bad tourist… no biscuit). It was interesting in a "hey this is a Unesco site and I'm on top of a mountain when a great view of the River Valley sort of way. But remember that I had really never heard of it.<br />
<br />
Then we went to the Dead Sea. I've been there before in my Kuwait life, but it was interesting to see from the other side of the sea. It's only 8 miles across at this point and so I stared at Jordan (as I stared at Israel when I was on the other side) wondering what was happening over there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9xTaLhWBSQe5x6CzqFs4Tha_mo9X4m_PEuH6ZlFRCSDHR9nd2aUF9qb6CqnbPV2p-Ne7sJnKhoWRHvWs0ZcYX0EImz4rqxumf32CZgJAs-zNqaiKg-ORkigPUb8nbUAbKoxfSR5s8he1/s1600/1619312_10151827975752202_1959726586_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9xTaLhWBSQe5x6CzqFs4Tha_mo9X4m_PEuH6ZlFRCSDHR9nd2aUF9qb6CqnbPV2p-Ne7sJnKhoWRHvWs0ZcYX0EImz4rqxumf32CZgJAs-zNqaiKg-ORkigPUb8nbUAbKoxfSR5s8he1/s1600/1619312_10151827975752202_1959726586_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is my friend N whom I met yesterday. We were supposed to be on the same tour, but things got complicated and so we went to the Dead Sea separately. It was his first time and he had a ball he says. I stole this picture off Facebook (with his approval). I don't do pictures of myself in a bathing suit, but you can be assured that I had a similar look (covered with therapeutic mud). Today I met some fun people from France, England and Sri Lanka. Travelling alone isn't so bad if one is willing to say Hi first.<br />
<br />
Also, we saw a Bedoin man and his young son. I am very familiar with this site from life in Q8. I sorta felt like "home" when I saw the man with his camel parked on the side of the road. He was selling jewelry and rides on the camel. It's an honest way to make a living right?!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DLwJjvmE9fkEzN4l3fY3_oatvDleIeCQCJ2znB4zeXjLbLU6YmFsJPo4cJzPNBJMk_qFvWBhwi3_JUOBgpTCSAWbyI-tASbSt_-cGtZfG0cDUXeVCTQZ_x58lfS2OTFQ7KPiAqL6LUu6/s1600/IMG_4576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DLwJjvmE9fkEzN4l3fY3_oatvDleIeCQCJ2znB4zeXjLbLU6YmFsJPo4cJzPNBJMk_qFvWBhwi3_JUOBgpTCSAWbyI-tASbSt_-cGtZfG0cDUXeVCTQZ_x58lfS2OTFQ7KPiAqL6LUu6/s1600/IMG_4576.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
I found that I missed seeing camels! (go figure) So I had to enclose a photo of this handsome guy. I am not sure why he was foaming at the mouth, but he wasn't making any painful noise, so maybe he was just brushing his teeth.</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5263878921501034341.post-60929146913881786062014-02-08T00:52:00.000-06:002014-02-08T00:52:00.093-06:00Morning Day 2 Random Thoughts on the day after Shabbat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Scenes from the Wailing Wall<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip4Q7ulpPbPyvkh-arNO40voXDhnmYPjrxDO6g1M7xZ8l5Zk-Qo2N6_vkmOijtO_IVmt9PU8emv_DEOf0xGrBcvjIS0baHanIRcVkhgBepByTA67j1bmlh-miQTyF4Kcz4BZaWyzJTKUW/s1600/IMG_4355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip4Q7ulpPbPyvkh-arNO40voXDhnmYPjrxDO6g1M7xZ8l5Zk-Qo2N6_vkmOijtO_IVmt9PU8emv_DEOf0xGrBcvjIS0baHanIRcVkhgBepByTA67j1bmlh-miQTyF4Kcz4BZaWyzJTKUW/s1600/IMG_4355.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv8jK-y7nCnGd5cIv8mzBvzuhJjiYNJXt-iSmKMvpKHyxSIa28TwzESxqGFWH-HkTTDQIxJBrNTV0r5LMCl4f9srrWGL4aJ253wGgviEe-jnNtNYHCoqauO_WDjPQvDOf9Yl9GYDpa7OI/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv8jK-y7nCnGd5cIv8mzBvzuhJjiYNJXt-iSmKMvpKHyxSIa28TwzESxqGFWH-HkTTDQIxJBrNTV0r5LMCl4f9srrWGL4aJ253wGgviEe-jnNtNYHCoqauO_WDjPQvDOf9Yl9GYDpa7OI/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJW91Up5yAklVo5hlUmvaX-YtNxwkQ0C3h4iHsARQCaf4_T6eX545igOv7Ydcn0FY4Z6LCINZ6X8Xbvp8npwW4TIJiEOHzs3jYcgyEfHE3T_S75FCUKLzejjSs72OHJholbchJL8VbwUEq/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJW91Up5yAklVo5hlUmvaX-YtNxwkQ0C3h4iHsARQCaf4_T6eX545igOv7Ydcn0FY4Z6LCINZ6X8Xbvp8npwW4TIJiEOHzs3jYcgyEfHE3T_S75FCUKLzejjSs72OHJholbchJL8VbwUEq/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Notes on the above photos: I seem to be fascinated by taking photos of Jewish people. I don't know why, maybe it's because it's a stereotype, maybe it's because I just find them fascinating. The woman with the book to her face is not hiding, she's praying and kissing the book in prayer. The group photo is my tour group. People from India, Equador, Taiwan, Israel, Belgium, Phillipines and America traveling just to understand the world. As one said, "and that's why we travel so we understand." Beautiful words.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
After watching the opening ceremony for the Olympics (something I wouldn't have been able to do at home as we don't have cable), and channel flicking through Fox new (yes!), BBC (oh I've missed it) and a variety of other channels, I am constantly amazed by the "same/same" ness of the world.<br />
<br />
Now before you think I'm about to launch into a great political/cultural commentary (which I'm really not capable of doing), let me say that living in Kuwait for the past five years really helps me understand Israel. It's like I needed the five years in the Middle East (ME) to really try and understand where I am at this point. First of all, the food is very similar (which took some getting used to in Q8). The full breakfasts with everything from smoked salmon (a favorite!) to fruit to chocolate cake (yes!) reminds me of my favorite breakfast haunts with my Breakfast Buddies. The very friendly public face in dealing with people that Arabs use is evident here in Jerusalem. It's a little hard to explain to North Americans but there's a different sense of customer service in this part of the world. I've missed it.<br />
<br />
However, please don't misunderstand me… I am not about to say that the people of Kuwait have lived the same life as the people of Isreal. I'm just starting to peel away my understanding of what it must be like to live in an area that some parts of the world don't even recognize as existing. And to understand the intricacies of the decades of hate and mistrust and fear would take way more knowledge than this seasoned traveller can conjure. That's why I like to travel with David because he's my walking wiki-guide to world stife.<br />
<br />
Yesterday when we went to Bethlehem, our tour guide E (a fantastic Israeli-Argentian man) went with us to the border (yes there is a border within the borders here) and then we met up with another tour guide who took us across. E went with us, but he didn't speak while we were in Bethlehem except in whispers. Later he told me that it's because if he even opens his mouth, the people will immediately know he's from the other side (Jewish) and he could get killed. Wow! *Granted, he was a great story teller and that could have been for effect, but who makes up stuff like that?!<br />
<br />
We were taken to a "Christian Cultural Center" and it was explained to us (in a really nice way) that by buying souvenirs from them, we are helping them survive. It's a nicer version of saying "and my cousin owns the shop and we all will benefit from your purchases". The young man, who must have seen my eyes pop when I viewed all the nativity scenes made of Olive Wood, was VERY attentive in helping me select purchases. Every time he would show me something "better" (i.e. more expensive) and then asked me why I didn't want to purchase something of more quality. I have a budget, I'd tell him. And then he would smile as if to say "but lady you've got enough money to travel here and that's more than I have so why won't you buy my wares". There's a similar aggressiveness here that exists throughout the ME, so I was used to this sales technique. Yes there is good customer service, but one has to wear a certain metal jacket on the pocketbook AND the heart. Because they are "good" at making you feel guilty if you don't purchase more.<br />
<br />
Right at the border there were two men who tried very hard to get me to purchase items. One was successful, the other was not. Both used charm, guilt, hard sell and desperation as a part of their scheme. I can't say why one was more successful than the other--maybe I was worn down, maybe I felt sorry, maybe because he put the item in my hard and then kept haranguing me to give him more money (after telling me I could give what I wanted!). As I go through these experiences I always think I would love to get these guys into a classroom and have them talk about the theory and logic behind Hard Sell. I used to want get a Kirby Vacumn Salesman, a Used Car Salesman and a traveling Mormon (7th Day Adventist, etc) in a classroom and quiz them on their techniques and hard skin.<br />
<br />
WHOA--I just re-read what I wrote and yes I am all over the place. Sorry-blame it on jet lag, blame it on trying to sound smart while drinking my 3rd cup of coffee and eating my chocolate cake <i>(Hey-I had to eat it, it's the day after Shabbat!) </i>Please excuse my ramblings.<br />
<br />
What I'm trying to say is that I am so glad I have an opportunity to experience this "forbidden" culture. I am enjoying myself, learning a lot and just beginning to process all of what I am seeing and feeling. Tomorrow I meet up with Anna, who has been living here since August. I can't wait to see her (for obvious reasons) but I also am curious to see what she thinks after living here.<br />
<br />
And now, I'm off to the Dead Sea a place where I've been before, except on the other side of the "Lake". We'll see if it's Same-Same.<br />
<br />
Oh, by the way… Shabbat is the holy day of Jews. I don't really understand it, but let me say this… I learned that the hotel has a special elevator for those celebrating Shabbat. I know I don't understand why, but "Scoop Brown" is definitely going to find out why.<br />
<br />
Shalom!</div>
NWBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922960722834917287noreply@blogger.com0