As the last days of  Summer camp draw to a close, I am reminded of  Albert Camus' statement,
In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
This sustains us for another year.
Max is onthe Move home.
 

Reflection of a trip that can never be duplicated...there is only one "first time to Israel" but ready to post my adventures.
Arriving in Tel Aviv in the morning,  knowing nobody, not speaking the language, changing currency, navigating a nesher to Jerusalem, check-in, change rooms and now what to do for the rest of the day! Ask the concierge. Down this street, cross over, up the avenue and I'm at the back end of Machane Yehuda Shuk (market). Where to go, which smells to follow.  Hustle, bustle, scurry, it's almost time for Shabbat and everything will shut down. Courtesy of JWRP, I'm invited to Shabbat dinner at a private home.  Took a non-public cab but I con't find the address and none of the men would answer me when I asked for help but now I understand. It was Shabbat, I should not have been riding in a cab, only walking. I had a lovely dinner at the home of a couple who emigrated from England and Los Angeles to Jerusalem. Tip toed quietly down the dark steps to my waiting cab.  Shabbat Shalom.

Because of life circumstances I was unable to travel for many many years. More of that later. I wanted to tell you how the travel bug started in my family. My parents, especially my father, loved to travel. Travel to him was an involved, multi faceted adventure.  When a destination was picked the planning began. The research. The library trips, the maps opened, circled and taped.  A place was not just chosen for the it's history. That was the beginning. The place had to be researched for location, climate, politics, food, dress, shopping, museums and more. By the time my father boarded the plane or ship he had developed a small booklet and happily distributed it to those also going to the same place.
Another

Yad Vashem today. Need time to digest, too much to

Media@aarp.My 5th or 6th new life is beginning. Traveling as a senior, take the challenge. Couples yes but  unattached  seniors can see the same sights as the millenniums exception being we have the gift of experience and life acquired wisdom to sightsee and travel.To use an old cliche, "LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE NOT JUST A DESTINATION "

#TBEXpost traveling,Masada,TelAviv,thank you.
Grateful for children, grandchildren. Now is my turn. Mature adults can do it all. Think positive, smile, be polite and say Todah when an Israeli soldier offers you a seat on the crazy light rail. #jerusalem

What a day. Jerusalem light rail is easy to follow, learn to push when you want to get on and off, it's like being rebirthed. Today's tour, Jerusalemites, led by Dorit Graiver, met at Aroma Coffee #'26 in Machaneh Yehudah Shuk then to a theatrical stop at Uzi-Eli-The Esrog Man. Walked through the neighborhood of Nahlaot viewing the older homes with placards outside of some of the homes showing a picture of the original family who lived there and their history. Invited into orthodox home by Ariel Oren, wife of Chabbad Rabbi