Think kindly of Israel

Think kindly of Israel, its a country much too maligned. It needs to do what it takes to survive, its surrounded by people and places hell bent on their demise.

The beauty of Israel

This is a view of the TelAviv seafront from Old Jaffa. Old Jaffa sits up in a hill and from the top the view is quite spectacular. Sea aside, its deserts and hills share the same beauty. This is the land of milk and honey, it truly is.

Old Jaffa

Old Jaffa is older than Tel Aviv, it already existed back in the days when Tel Aviv was non existent. Its  old name was Joppa and is mentioned in the bible. As in Israel it went through the same conquerors, mosques and churches intermingle as also Jews and Arabs that currently live in the city. It still has some of the old building but it is currently experiencing a revival with young people moving in and starting boutiques and coffee shops. It has more atmosphere than Tel Aviv, today it is a suburb of Tel Aviv. A lotos the older buildings dates back to the Ottoman days.

Spring, a great time to travel

Its a great to travel in Spring. The weather is just warming up but it was getting quite warm all over Israel. Its just after the winter rains though it was still raining in Jerusalem and the rain means the whole area is lush and green. Not only that the wild flowers are starting to pop up and if you're a wild flower aficionado like me you're in for a treat. The hills and even the deserts of Israel are usually covered with wild flowers. For some reason the nation of Israel can make even the desert bloom. All over the country there are green houses growing all kinds of fruits and vegetables to feed the growing population of Israel. I saw bananas growing under hot houses, never saw that before. Every country imports bananas, not Israel, they grow their own. Its an amazing country, I love their spirit.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv very very early in the morning. The problem with living on the West coast of the USA is everything costs more and takes longer than if I'd lived in NewYork or the East coast. So after a 10 hour flight to London, a 10 hour layover and then 5 more hours to Tel Aviv, I'm finally there. Phew! At 6 in the morning I'm looking for a hotel, found one but can't check in till 2pm. Oh, the joys of world travel, terrorism and long flights aside, I wouldn't do anything else. My sister is my worse critic, 'why do you do it?' Why not? I'm not deterred by with terrorism or long flights.
So here am I wandering the Tel Aviv, not really empty, there were lots of joggers and bicyclists. I then walked south all the way to old Jaffa.

Tragedy at Taba crossing

The world is a dangerous place. So do you want to stay at home. Not me. This trip to Israel included going to Taba crossing. Taba crossing is the border crossing between Israel and the Southern Sinai in Egypt.I went to the Sinai to climb Mt Sinai and visit St Catherine monastery. Its a very popular trip for South Korean Christians. Hordes of them come in huge buses and they are very enthusiastic. I was there February 12th. The terror incident happened on February 16th. A bomb ripped through the bus carrying 34 Korean Christians killing 4 Koreans and their Egyptian driver. They have just arrived at Taba crossing on the Egyptian side after returning from climbing Mt Sinai and visiting St Catherine monastery. Many of them were also seriously hurt. They died worshipping a God they loved. This picture was taken a mile south of Taba crossing. The water of the gulf of Aqaba is the most amazing stretch of water.This part of the Sinai is so beautiful. The terrorists believe they don't need tourism.

Eastern Turkey

Its hard to imagine that this was taken in Eastern Turkey, the summer we spent 2 weeks there, me and two young nephews. I hope they'll always remember this eccentric aunt who is always going to places not too many people go to. I'm on my way to the airport, on my way to Israel as we speak.

Lille, France

 

Nice, pretty, fluffy and delicious marshmallows from a shop in Lille, France a few years ago.

Last year in Nepal

I'm trying out my new Macbook air, its a nifty little machine. I have no photos in its hard drive yet but I'm taking pictures from Picasa. Isn't technology wonderful?This photo was actually taken in Pokhara, Nepal.

Leaving soon

This time last year I was in Nepal, visiting both Kathmandu and Pokhara. I love that trip even though Nepal is so poor. The previous year I was in the Peloponnese where this picture was taken. I leave in a few days for Israel. I'm sad to leave work because I enjoy my work so much but I need to be away so as to appreciate work even more. The pace at work is unrelenting and it makes it addictive, addicted to the fast pace.