Carmel Gardens Hotel Zichron Yaakov

... and run N-S, and E-W. In Jerusalem, we got lost several times and ended up going down all the small city roads until we found a major street and could get our bearings. But we twisted, turned, and loop-de-looped our way all over that city. Haifa was a little bit better though...

The view from the top of the Gardens was spectacular. We couldn't go any further down than the first terrace, and we'd missed the tour to ...

... Eingang wird man von mehreren Familien Klippschliefern begruesst, jenen kleinen Nagern, die mit den Elefanten verwandt sind und sowohl in Kenia, als auch massenhaft am Kap der Guten Hoffnung in Suedafrika zu bestaunen waren. Die vielen Steinboecke, mit denen wir aber schon vor unserem Zimmer im Gasthaus Bekanntschaft machen konnten, sind an dieser Stelle auch eine Erwaehnung wert. Aber das absolute und unschlagbare Highlight Ein Gedis ist das Wasser und die ...

... and Costa Rican villa) for two years together. If I don't go up to Tzafat to visit him, I'm sure we'll figure out something. We also Skyped briefly with some former bros back at Brown and confused the **** out of them.



Back on topic, I had never been to Haifa before. A friend and I went up there to spend the weekend while staying at the house of my parents' friends from 'la Tarbut', that famous institution of higher learning, athletic prowess, and ...

... our day at Mei Kedem in Alona Park. It is an underground aqueduct that the Romans cut out from rock to start the water's multi mile descent into Caesarea. On our drive there we pass by the orchards and vineyards of the Zichron Yaacov region an 1882 Jewish agricultural settlement, one of the many sponsored by Edmond de Rothschild. During our travels, Veronica stops to pick pomegranates and olives, we learn about ...

... find seats. It takes 10-15 minutes to reach the Tel. We are now in the land of ancient Israel which was on the border of, and should have been in the area of, the tribe of Issachar (Joshua 17:11). But Megiddo was one of main strong points, probably the main fortress on the west side of the Jordan River guarding the north of the nation: it was given to Manasseh. It seems that at the time Manasseh (part of Joseph) was known as a tough, numerous, fighting tribe, others ...

... contrast. I enjoyed a visit to Beirut and was surprised to see so many tanks and armed guards on the streets - they must have known we were coming! We are now in Haifa, Israel and have just visited Nazareth, Canan, the site of the first miracle (turning water into wine), Capernum, the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Not bad for one day. We have decided to skip the evening entertainment and have an evening in - wonderful! We move on tomorrow.

... the ramparts and read the information signposts, which are in Hebrew, Arabic and English. At one signpost, we start a conversation with a man with a dictionary in his hand. He is visiting his sister from the Ukraine and speaks Russian and some English. His dictionary looks well worn. He asks, as so many have, who we think is going to be president. Harvey answers Medviedev and we all laugh! We see a group of adult tourists coming out ...

... tomatoes and other vegetables that actually have a flavor that you can taste! Now well fortified, we start the day. Our first stop today is the Information Center in Zichron Ya'acov. Here, the two women take a local map and mark up where we should go and also call to see what is open. Unfortunately, the Ahronson House is only open for school tours today, but we can go to the First Aliyah Immigration Museum. I engage one woman who tells me about ...

... might receive. However, now that we have driven a bit in Israel I have to say that despite all the warnings, Israeli drivers are actually more considerate than South Floridians! As we drive out of Tel Aviv, we realize how compact the city actually is and how quickly the tight streets and low rise buildings of the city give way to high rise apartment complexes along the broad flower and tree lined boulevard of Route 2. Harvey is our designated ...

... falsetto and con passione!) - yes it's nice when you're able to let your hair down around the in-laws...The scene was even more surreal if you picture a platoon of heavily armed soldiers combing the beach for trash around us. In the evening we were invited for yet another feast at Hanna and David's. The meat survived several major catastrophes on, in and under the grill and still turned out to be delicious.