First full day and it’s Memorial Day here followed by their Independence day, so every family is out. First, a day of mourning with sirens for silence, flags, lots of troops out for protection and services to honor all who have lost their lives in any modern-times Israel war (and remember their days start at sundown). And then we enjoyed their Independence Day when they became an official country on May 10,1948 (and Steve’s exact birthday!)
We are all amazed at the number of Muslem cities and mosques in this country, and to find out that the West Bank is actually Samaria and on the west side of the river Jordan — smack dab in the middle of this country!!!!!
I feel like such a dummy, and it’s full of Palestinians and they want Israel to give it to them? Hellooooooo. They already gave them the Gaza. They are being picked to death by chickens with guns and minerets (don’t push Israel)!
We have arrived and are being overwhelmed with the incredible sights. Unfortunately we haven’t had internet for me to be current.
While college friends and sisters went and backpacked thru Europe when they were young, in 1971 we chose marriage, Vietnam, and family with the prospect of travel to happen when we launched the kids,the dog died, and the house was paid for. Getting married at 21 & 23 meant we had mucho time to see the world! Wanna see God smile? tell Him your plans.
Well the food is awesome, the wine is the best , and there are some pretty amazing sights, but it’s the people who have opened their homes and hearts to us that makes us want to return and spend so much time here. 
So now we are about to embark on our last leg. Milan to Tel Aviv via Athens where we will be part of 100 or so coming from Rancho Bernardo on a 10 day tour of Israel. This is our 40th anniversary present to each other. 
Well, I can swallow my pride and admit that if I wanted to do ALL of Epcot and Disney Studios, I would have to rent a wheelchair. And I got a new perspective of both at a different level. Steve quite relished his part in this, as Speedy Gonzalez ( He still builds up steam and rides shopping carts in parking lots). We never laughed so much, and what fun both parks were (and there was always room for a wheelchair in every program).