for some unknown reason, i was unable to access the blog while on the trip in Israel. maybe because all the computers i know there speak only in hebrew to blogger? who knows.
anyway, i am physically back though confused as to why i was often one day off on my calculations (not always in the same direction). i thought i was getting back on tuesday, but it was monday (well it started very early) and i made it after the usual drama of short delay in take-off, long wait for bags which needed to be retrieved and gone through customs, released to the airline so they could transfer, airtrain to the other terminal, back through security again, and home. phew.
ketzl is happy to see me, i think, tho a bit frisky this morning. maybe i should take him for a walk. not sure if anyone did while i was gone. i also need to clip his claws.
short version of the trip:
the first two weeks were organized tour with rabbi and his family, a total of 19. good size group. excellent tour guide and driver. the last 5 days were with family and friends, and happily included one more dunk in the mediterranean, making nice bookends from the first day in tel aviv when we arrived. lots of pictures, lots of stories. we did some of the same things as daniel and i had done 12 years ago like Tel Dan and rafting on the Jordan River. visited Tel Aviv, Haifa, Caesarea, kibbutzim up north near the Lebanon and Syrian borders, Jerusalem and the obligatory trips to Masada, the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi spring. pretty busy scheduling but time for meals on our own which we often did in groups, and shopping. there was a running joke that i was trying to rescue the economy of israel single-handedly. well, i did my best, and the proof was that i needed to purchase a new 28" suitcase (at ACE hardware of all places) to bring it all home.
so i'm home, welcoming emails and phone calls for anyone who wants more detail.
it will take a while for me to be really back.
