Israeli Air Force Museum 5.10.2008

On Sunday, October 5th I got up at 5:50 am (we had gained an hour by "Falling Back" Saturday night, so it was really 6:50 am), and caught the 7:15 am bus to the central bus station in Be'er Sheva, followed by the 7:40 am Bus 31 to Hazerim and the Israeli Air Force Museum. The bus was about 10 minutes late leaving, and we arrived at the museum at 8:15. I watched the 15 minute film about the Israeli Air Force in the Museum's Boeing 707. Then I started to make my way around some of the more than 100 planes. There were many F-4 Phantoms, the type which my dad flew in the U.S. Air Force, which made me wonder if the mayor of Be'er Sheva, a retired Air Force general who also founded the museum, flew F-4s as well. I was amazed to see 5 F-4s in a row, interrupted by the lone F-15. There was also a big Boeing Stratocruiser, a PBY Catalina flying boat, and a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter (aka Jolly Green Giant), as well as numerous French Mirage fighers, and one example each of the MIG-15, 17, 21, and 23. Too many to mention here, but despite the heat, I enjoyed the visit very much. (Almost everything is outdoors in the desert heat, except a small building with displays on search and rescue and Israeli Air Force history since 1948. One noticeable thing is that no current planes in the inventory are on display, except an early model F-15A. I am definitely taking Dad here when he comes to visit!

Whirlwind trip to Jerusalem, Rosh Hoshanah

Monday, Sept. 29th at sundown through Wednesday, Oct. 1st at sundown was Rosh Hoshanah, the Jewish New Year. In the early afternoon on Monday, Ilan and Daniel, the two operator algebraists Dawn is working with, took us to Jerusalem. That wasn't the plan originally. but the national park 20 minutes north of Be'er Sheva was closed, and Ilan was headed to Jerusalem anyway to spend the holiday with family. But, since we were invited for a special Rosh Hoshanah dinner Monday evening with a Jewish History professor and his wife, Bob and Adina, and since bus service would cease for 2 days for the holidays, we had to make sure we made the 16:30 (4:30 pm) bus from Jerusalem back to Be'er Sheva, a 1 hr. 45 minute ride.

We arrived in Jerusalem just before 3 pm, and headed straight for the Old City. We entered through Jaffa Gate, and made our way through the marketplace to where we had a view of the rooftops. We could see the Dome of the Rock in the distance. On the way into town, we also caught a glimpse of the Knisset, the Israeli parliament. On the way back to the car through the market, we stopped at the Church of the Holy Sephulcher, where Christ is believed to have been crucified and buried. We barely made our bus back to Be'er Sheva!

The evening meal was fantastic, but unfortunately, I did not ask if it was OK to take pictures, and so I don't have pictures to post. It is customary to wish "a sweet New Year", and many foods (bread, apple slices) are dipped in honey. Even the barbecue chicken was basted in honey! Yumm! The downside of the holidays and the Sabbath here is that EVERYTHING shuts down. We are trying to adjust, and I just found a great English-language web site with more information on Be'er Sheva: http://my-negev.co.il/show7.php?idp=128&id_new=1583

22.9.08 7 hours in New York City

With a 10.5 hour layover in Newark on the way back to Israel, I took the opportunity to take the NYC shuttle from EWR (Newark Intl) into Manhattan. I walked through Times Square, down Broadway and 5th Avenue, was on set at NBC's Today Show, and took the elevator to the 67th floor and the escalator to the 69th floor for a view of NYC from the "Top of the Rock": Rockefeller Center. I then managed to make my way out to the Statue of Liberty for a very brief visit. This was my first time outside of the JFK or EWR Airports. NYC is amazing!!!

Pete and Katherine's wedding: 20.9.2008

As some of you know, I returned to the U.S. for a wedding of some very close friends this past week. I will plan on posting a couple pictures here. I was honored to stand with Pete and Katherine as a groomsman. Rev. Ann Bowersox officiated. It was beautiful, and it was wonderful to catch up with friends!

Arrival in Israel August 2008

We arrived in Israel at the end of August 2008. For the next 2 weeks, every day was hectic and stressful, as we tried to arrange our life here for the next 1 to 2 years. After just one week, we were able to sign the lease on an apartment in Be'er Sheva, where Dawn is a post-doc at the University. I will soon begin giving private English lessons. Be'er Sheva is a hot city in the middle of the Negev desert of about 200,000. We have yet to travel anywhere, but I now know which bus to take to the nearby Israeli Air Force Museum! My hope is that this blog will give friends and family back home a window on our lives here.