Heading Home

I have to give a very big thank you to RCG. I have had a wonderful visit this time. Israel is a beautiful country and I have only seen a small portion of it.

I still have to blog about visiting Jerusalem and Bethlehem. My last weekend was filled with Haifa, Rosh HaNikra and the Dead Sea. I have had a great opportunity to visit some beautiful monasteries and ruins and places from history.

It has been wonderful visit with great weather and even some thundershowers. In some ways I am ready to go home but at the same time I really have loved this place. Thanks again RCG, because of you I have been able to visit this land twice.

Tel Aviv / Jaffa

This morning I woke up with thoughts of only needing to do some laundry at some point. Then I was invited to take a taxi into town and have lunch with my host. So I quickly put myself together and followed her instructions. I arrived in town with about ten minutes to wait before we walked up to have a pita.

After lunch I walked over through the Carmel Market and then managed to get myself lost from the street I was looking for. So I headed towards the coast as I could always just head to Jaffa. And that's what I did - walked along the beach next to the pounding waves.

When I reached Jaffa and was looking forward to visiting St. Peter's Church (which has a monastery next to it). However once at the top the church was closed up. So I wandered around this ancient port city. I was amazed at the ruins that date pack to Ancient Egyptian times and the scope of history that is associated here.

As I walked back to the center of Old Jaffa there was a tour group that was waiting to go in the church. I had been there long enough to still be able to see inside this building. I can not begin to fully describe how neat this church was. The pulpit was carved to look like a tree. All I could think of was the Tree of Knowledge and the lessons that came from that place. Here is a website that has some better photos when you click on the gallery section: http://www.btlr.com/sp/index.php.

I then walked back to the Embassy and waited for RCG to get off work before we headed home for the evening. The best part was finding the text message from her to have me confirm my tour for tomorrow. So it seems I am off to Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the morning.

Latrun Day - Tanks and Trappists

So when RCG and I were planning my trip we kept talking about taking a day to visit Latrun where there is a spice farm and winery. Truth be told this is the location I build in the "exception" to my resolution for the year.

We had a leisurely start to the morning. So we headed down the road to Latrun to visit the abbey. We arrived at noon as the bells were sounding. We were able to visit the "gift shop" that had candles, post cards, and various wines and other beverages. Part of the Trappist way of living is to work and so these various products represent how the monks make a living. So I settled upon buying a couple of things. So a few bottles of wine later (as in purchased not consumed), we decided that we should head to lunch and return when the chapel reopened.

We drove down the road a little closer to Jerusalem and ate at the Flam Winery. It was packed and so service may not have been the greatest. However they brought out some fresh bread with sides of olive oil with basil and a hint of garlic and what looked like soured cream or butter. It was incredible. Then came the Brucetta Buffalo and our main dishes. I had ordered a Wild Forest Ragout that turned out to be amazing. I tried to be mindful of my meal and really enjoy it. It definately made it worth the wait for service.

After lunch we walked through the Tavlin Spice shop. It is so neat to see so many fresh spices available and many various teas and infusions. I laughed when I saw the Viagra Tea Infusion and wondered if the Hebrew gave more information as to what was in it. I did settle on trying some Mint Infusion tea and another for stomach issues. These are both loose teas blends that I am hoping to take home with me.

SInce it was still too early to see the church we went over to the Tank museum. I have never once questioned that I am an Air Force Brat. I love planes and welcomed my time of working at the airlines. I also grew up around airshows and knowing the difference between the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. I even recall the thrill of seeing teh SAC Aggressor squadron out on the runway at Langley AFB many years ago. This being said - tanks can be amazing and the memorial that is here was something else.

We then headed back to the Abbey and were able to visit the church and even see at least one monk on the grounds. I have never understood why I love visiting these old churches and learning about monasteries. I just really find them peaceful and each one so unique. It also was a nice way to finish off the day. As we headed out of the church it started to sprinkle. So we slipped back in the gift shop to try the sweet liquor the monks make. I decided that I would have to take a bottle home and also get another for RCG and I to have some over the next week.

PS - I also loved the crest from the Abbey

Points along the beach and lessons from a shell

So I have been feeling guilty that I seemed to just hang around here today and not be very productive. I decided that since I was on vacation I could relax and that was simply ok as well. There is nothing wrong with relaxing even if you flew half way around the world to do it.

So I decided that the least I could do was go for a walk. Yeah - take some pictures, read a book, meditate a little while walking and listen to music and and and and..... What happened to walking?

So I took my camera (the guys did ask for pictures and it would be nice) and my book and turned on a nice mellow instrumental piece by Parijat. I am ready to walk and not get killed, read some and take pictures and away I go. What happened to relaxing?

I walked down to the beach and half read but let my mind wander with the book. I thought about forgiveness. I thought a lot about forgiveness. About forgiving oneself and releasing the expectations we force upon our that most critical person we all know - the one in the mirror.

I wrote a bunch of blog worthy things on my way. I snapped away on the camera. I thought about how good it was to get out and walk. I stopped and saw a beautiful shell. Now I know that there are shells all over the world and that this one is really not that special. But it is special to me. It is special because it made me stop...and watch the beach...and watched the waves... and think about the tides... and watch the shells... and watch the waves break on the rocks...and breathe with the waves...and smile at the little waves receding back to the sea.

Suddenly I was doing what I came down to do. I was relaxing with the music and thinking about why I really came to the beach. I was able to smile and laugh with myself. I forgave myself for being demanding. I forgave myself for only thinking about if I walk I get "x" number of exercise points. I forgave myself for not really following Weight Watchers for almost a year.

I also gave myself permission to live in the moment. It is ok to keep with Weight Watchers and work on it as I go. Each picture is for me and for what I was going through. So I will post a bunch of pictures on Facebook and it doesn't matter what they mean to anyone.

There is one that means the most to me. For this little shell and it's friends made me stop and wait. The waves did finally wash over the shells and I actually was able to take the picture I had hoped to get. But even more important, it made me realize that I must take the time to see all things and not just run to the goal. We always talk about the journey and the mile markers along the way as being the most important part ot the trip. The goal is great but the journey reminds us why we do it and how we do it. The weight I have put back on has reminded me that I can not forget to be mindful of why I eat (emotional or otherwise). I must also be mindful of the other quests in my heart for balance in all things.

Sometimes a lowly shell can me the most profound messenger. I must remember to also take my time with things and forgive myself as I go. I have picked up the little shells to go with me back home and hopefully remind me to take the time I need in all things. Even as I quickly walked home (as RCG will be home soon) I actually was able to follow along the mindful breathing exercises versus just run through the steps and let my mind wander on to other issues.

Monday Morning after the Galilee

So I have noticed that my date stamps are still all on Utah time but that does make it a little easier to track later.

Currently it is Monday Morning in Israel and I have to admit I am in a bit of a mood. I would not say that I am in a funk of any kind but I did notice that the mood hit me yesterday sometime. This may not sound that strange to most people but I think it might have to do with my activities Saturday night. I guess I should start by mentioning my weekend.

Saturday morning we had a leisurely start to the day and packed an overnight bag and headed out to northern Israel. We had a hotel reservation in Tiberias for the night and were planning on stopping in Safed. It was Shabbat so I knew that there would not be many things open but it was actually quite funny to notice that the only packed parking lot we passed was for ACE Hardware. I guess anyone who is out is at ACE on a Saturday.

We stopped for lunch at a little place that a friend recommended to RCG. It was below Mount Tabor (first picture) in the area of Kfar Tabor. It was a little off the main road and situated behind a petrol station. We had some wonderful lamb skewers along with hummus, grilled eggplant and tahini.

We drove up to Safed and found a place to park. It wasn't that the streets were crowded but that the area we were trying to get to was closed off due to the sabbath. We walked to the Citadel Park at the top of Israel's third highest peak. There were incredible views and I felt a sense of awe as I thought of the numerous groups who has settled in this ares over the years. Safed is the hub of Jewish mysticism thanks to all the popularity of Kabbalah. We did not visit the various rabbi tombs but did wander the streets of the artist quarter. I am sure there is much going on during the week but it was a sleepy little hilltop town on a Saturday.

We then drove down to Tiberias passing the Mount of the Beatitudes and along the northern edge of the Galilee. We found the Scots Hotel and checked in for the evening. Incredible hotel and another great recommendation by friends of my host. I walked over to try and find an entrance to one of the churches but was unsuccessful. We sat in the little bar and relaxed with our books until the restaurant opened. I had a cappuccino and sipped on a shot of Macallan whisky (it was a Scottish hotel after all). We then had dinner in the hotel and called it a night.

Even though I did not sleep really well it was a great evening and it was a great morning to see a boat out on the Galilee (second picture). We had breakfast and then headed up to Capernaum and visited the "space craft" that has landed on Peter's house. We then made a quick stop at the kibbutz where the ancient Galilee boat is located though we did not go in to see the boat before heading to Bet She'an National Park and the ruins there.

I am in complete awe of this place. These ruins are incredible and it is amazing to think of how far back the history of this area goes. Part of me really wanted to climb the stairs to Tel Bet She'an but my knees were already starting to complain about the walking around. I can not begin to explain the sense of history that was all around. After a full day we made our way back to Tel Aviv and had a quiet night in.

Back to what started my weekend update, I think it was the alcohol from the other evening. For some reason I always seem to get out of sorts when I drink. For the most part I woul dsay that I do not have a drinking problem. There are times when I might have a little more then I would prefer but most often it is like the other evening where it is just something to enhance a meal or relaxing moment. The only problem is that is seems to have a delayed reaction to my system that I do not care for. This is why I set up my New Year's resolution of no drinking (with the exception of on my transatlantic international vacation). I might still have something more during this trip if we stop at a monastery or some such place but that is another moment when that can be decided.

Guess I should head into town for lunch with Rachel or maybe head down to the beach to read.

Morning thoughts

This morning my dear friend, P, has posted a very thought provoking blog about death and live and seasons. I have found that this morning it has made me review a lot of issues that came up recently.

Only a couple of family members and now RCG are aware that I actually offered to cancel my trip on Sunday night. This possibility was due to my father's health and the fact that he was throwing up and possibly was fighting a blockage issue in his intestinal track. While for most people is not a big issue but it can be if you have had a third of your intestinal track removed and have health concerns that might be under control but by no means are over. While it is fortunate I did not have to cancel (as there isn't a whole lot anyone besides a surgeon can do had it escalated) and I am still connected to the world and to home.

My friend's posting this morning (well it is morning in Israel) made me think about the winter periods in our lives when we close off parts of our hearts and feelings. How we find complete means of functioning normally in our warm and artificial environments while we ignore the raging elements outside. It is definately worth coming to terms with the reality of it all even in accepting what we can not change and finding a balance in our hearts and minds that allows us to move through all the seasons we face. Thanks P for helping me contemplate these things for the week.

Dinner at the Manta Ray

There is something to be said about the restaurant when you make dinner reservations for 7pm and they say ok but you can only have the table for two hours.

Tonight we had dinner at the Manta Ray (www.mantaray.co.il) and it was incredible. I have been told that some well known singer visits here frequently when traveling for certain spiritual mystical visits to Israel. That point aside, it was still an incredible meal of various mezze (appetizer salads) and then a Grilled Croaker with root vegtables (potatoes)

A nice walk

So in an effort to at least get out a little today (I did need to hit the ATM to get some local currency), I took a walk down to the beach. It is kinda hard to fathom that a short leisurely walk of ten minutes will put me right down to the Mediterranean Sea. I was able to walk along the rocks where a few men were fishing right into the sea and nearby others were surfing. No one was seeming to pay attention to the No Swimming signs.

It was a beautiful day. I still find it amazing that after a long flight I can find myself here on the edge of a body of water that so influenced early civilization.

I wish I had taken my camera - must remember to pull it out before going out.

post travel morning

Well I survived my long flight and even arrived with my luggage this time. So far this trip is off to a better start then last year.

No big plans for the day but planning on getting out for a walk some later. Must first recharge the mp3 player.

Since I am on vacation I think a little nap is not out of line

Getting Started

So after many years I have decided to close down my other blog and start one over here. Maybe to be closer to some friend's blogs. The other blog served it purpose and is just not one I want to keep feeding (for now).