Professor Sharon

Another long, and interesting day in Israel. We’re beginning to get really tired! We get up at 7 am and don’t stop until 10 or later; often not eating until 8 or 9 pm. I think we’re beginning to look forward to a couple of downtime days in Sevilla next week.

We had to pack up last night as for tonight and tomorrow we will spend at a kibbutz. We’ve just arrived actually at 10 pm, but we don’t get a tour until tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the tour, as the place is incredibly upscale – I guess I expected some sort of rustic farm.

We started our day by going to a community where Israeli Jews and Arabs live together. They run a school for children together – which is unusual. They talk of how to get along and learning one another’s customs, etc. Classes for the nursery infants to 6th grade are taught in both Arab and Hebrew. They observe both holidays, including the Christian ones as Christian children live and attend the school as well. We weren’t able to tour the school, but a teacher told us about it for about an hour and we were able to walk about the community.

We then went to Independence Hall in Tel Aviv to hear the story of the state of Israel and see a film. We also went to tour an underground secret bullet factory.

And, let’s not forget the lunch stop for the most amazing falafel and shawarma you’ll ever have before our almost 3 hour drive to the kibbutz.

Here’s a photo of our tour guide. He was a middle school teacher before doing this; and he’s excellent at this. He has visuals and music on his iPod, and is really knowledgeable about his country.

It has been just a little over 48 hours since we left. We have been on two overnight planes (NY to Madrid and Madrid to Jerusalem), and several buses! We spent the day in Madrid to a strange layover arranged by the Israel tour trip we’re on.

In one day, in Madrid, we visited the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Prado, the Plaza Major, and a dinner in a sweet little underground restaurant. It was way too much to do; but fun. The Royal Palace is really quite astonishing. I think it was free, and we may go back to enjoy it more at our leisure when we return to Madrid in late April. The throne room is still used by the King of Spain, and the room where the King dresses is decorated in the most amazing style – aesthetically lovely decadence!

Today, we got off the plane finally arriving in Tel Aviv; another bus ride to our hotel with a stop at a lovely lookout point where you can see the city. It just happened to be sunrise, and we enjoyed a touching blessing over wine and one of the biggest challahs I’ve ever seen. Others in the group who identify more strongly than I with the Jewish faith and ancestry were visibly moved.

I had to fly with a head cold, and so by the time we got to the hotel I was feeling quite unwell, not to mention sleep deprived! Hubby and I hit the sack about 9 am after a quick breakfast and woke up at 4 pm! Maybe not too smart for the jetlag but necessary!

This evening we enjoyed a lovely walk – not to mention the best chicken livers I’ve ever eaten – in a shopping neighborhood.

Group travel is not our favorite; but there are some nice folks on this tour, and we’re sure we’ll enjoy each day more after the exhaustion wears off!

Love to everyone!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our BOY!!

I was going to write about a few things today – being the day we embark on our adventure. Then, I checked my email which took me to my daughter’s blog, where first I cried. Then I reread it and was deeply honored.

I was a young mother, at least compared to today’s young people. And, beyond having goals and dreaming dreams for my children; anything I say now about raising them is really hindsight. I do know that in the moment, I talked and reflected alot about what I was doing. Hubby and I talked endless hours all the time about each decision we made about the children. Our dream: to see them become kind, contributing, loved and loving adults with a bit of humility.

Both have become that. My daughter is one of the most amazing women and mothers I know and have ever known. To think I had some doing in that is more than any words could express.

So today, instead of writing about the beautiful snow dunes in the back yard, the scary thought that I’m getting on a plane with a head cold (and eustachian tube dysfunction), or anything mundane, I write to say that I’m proud to be the parent of these children.

I shall miss incredibly the daily contact with my daughter – although with Skype I’m hopeful it will not be weeks at a time.

While some folks believe those apron strings get cut, I’m more inclined to think they’re actually quite elastic – coming and going as needed. With all my little girl has been through in the last year; I’m hopeful, as always, that those strings are a bit like a net – there when needed with a bit of bounce.

And, I guess I am off to seek new dreams. My gramma, without words, and only with her heart, showed me through her love that seeking dreams was the stuff of life. She raised twelve children while housecleaning, but I think would have loved to do all that I’m doing.

More than one friend has said how “brave” I am. I guess so – mostly I want to seek out myself. Am I doing all I can to be the reason I am here?

Life is more than challenging at times; it plain sucks – but in the end our dreams are what keep our heart marching toward the big castle!

P.S. I shall remember the coins and the tea cups too!