Category Archives: Know Your Place

The List We All Need To Make

Dearest Rachel – I don’t really need to tell you about all this, since I already did at the time (and basically in the moment – which means that the story I related over the course of several letters may have been clouded by my emotions at the time, for obvious reasons), but during thatContinue reading “The List We All Need To Make”

A Chance to Hit the Town

Dearest Rachel – For all that, when I’m wandering around some foreign land (or even just another city here in the States – the last time I caught myself saying this was when Daniel and I were crisscrossing Boston), I find myself thinking that I should devote a little more attention to the sights ofContinue reading “A Chance to Hit the Town”

Nuuk

Dearest Rachel – Well, now we’re on our way to the capital; a town not even a third the size of our own, but which makes up nearly half the population of the entire… country?… of Greenland. Yes, that’s a contentious point, and I’ll get to it further along, as I put this together. Yes,Continue reading “Nuuk”

Qaqortoq

Dearest Rachel – Well, we’re finally landing somewhere I’ve – we’ve – never been before, and to be honest, it’s a place that never would have crossed my mind. Not just that it wouldn’t have occurred to me to visit Greenland, but this town is one I didn’t know existed, and still find myself wonderingContinue reading “Qaqortoq”

Reykjavik

Dearest Rachel – It sort of ties our last port of call with the one we’re arriving at; even when we last visited the place, some twelve years ago, we couldn’t think of this city’s name without recalling Glasgow native Craig Ferguson during his Late Late Show days. About a year or so into hisContinue reading “Reykjavik”

Glasgow

Dearest Rachel – Once again, I’m not sure whether to bother researching a place we’ve visited before; except for the fact that we really didn’t visit this city the last time I recall being here. When we pulled into Greenock, we simply took a shore excursion that drove us across the width of Scotland (suchContinue reading “Glasgow”

Never Mind the Research, Here’s the City as We Knew It (London)

Never Mind the Research, Here’s the City as We Knew It (London) – Somehow, it doesn’t feel like it’s worthwhile to research a city that most people know better than I do. All I can do is post some of our memories from our first visit…

On Being “That Guy”

Dearest Rachel – This is something of a confession, as in hindsight, I think I may have been excessively rude to someone who was just trying to be polite. It’s the sort of story that might possibly be submitted to r/AITA, where Redditors dealing with a pang of conscience ask the community at large, “AmContinue reading “On Being “That Guy””

His Opinion Matters

Dearest Rachel – I don’t remember who told me this, specifically, but in the immediate aftermath of your departure, I was advised not to make any major rash decisions in my life. No major purchases, no attempts at pursuing ‘Megumi’ (who hadn’t been given that name at that point, let alone had her criteria fleshedContinue reading “His Opinion Matters”

花見 – Hanami at Home

Dearest Rachel – Maybe I never noticed it because it was right there in front of us the whole time (and we had to deal with the blossoms once they fell and stuck to our respective cars, which is something of a nuisance); maybe it’s just that more obvious to me after two straight yearsContinue reading “花見 – Hanami at Home”

Making Myself Useful

Dearest Rachel – Freud had a word for it: “sublimation.” While it’s now mostly used in its physical, chemical sense of a solid transmuting to gas, skipping over any possible liquid state (like carbon dioxide does, for example), he used it to refer to taking one’s baser instincts and diverting them to where they couldContinue reading “Making Myself Useful”

Looks the Same

Dearest Rachel – The last time I was here at the Fashion Outlet Mall was just over a year ago, and for much the same reason; at barely above zero Fahrenheit, it’s just too darn cold outside to walk through the woods. So I’m wandering around here, waiting to meet up with Lars, at whichContinue reading “Looks the Same”

State of Normalcy

Dearest Rachel – Is it strange that it’s been half a week since getting off the ship before I start telling you anything about life back home? You’d think that there wasn’t anything to talk about here, now that I’ve returned to a state of normalcy. And let’s face it, you wouldn’t be that farContinue reading “State of Normalcy”

Never Insult a Customer?

Dearest Rachel – You might remember the “Dirty Knife Sketch” from Monty Python’s Flying Circus (honestly, this is one of those things where I’m going to have such a hard time finding a ‘Megumi’ with a comparable sense of humor to yours. Between these guys and the Three Stooges, you were such a rare birdContinue reading “Never Insult a Customer?”

Ignoring Dubai

Dearest Rachel – Seeing as I have so little time to put this together, what with having to assemble today’s shore excursion videos and another list of things that have been occurring to me as this trip has been winding down, I may not do a lot about Dubai’s history and culture. I covered thatContinue reading “Ignoring Dubai”

Abu Dhabi

Dearest Rachel – I don’t know why it is, but I can’t seem to bring myself to take this place seriously. Every time I hear the name pronounced (even silently in my head), I always hear the additional syllable “Doo!” at the end, as if cried out exultantly by an Arabian version of Fred Flintstone:Continue reading “Abu Dhabi”

Mumbai

Dearest Rachel – So this is an interesting case; one last city in which we’re staying overnight. Presumably, this is so the folks who left from Goa for the overland trip to the Taj Mahal can rejoin us. Honestly, given the complexity of this whole trip – punctuated by the fact that they had toContinue reading “Mumbai”

Goa

Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure where to begin with this location. I could start by mentioning that I’d heard about this region from Mohinder, way back in the day. It was a resort area, and unique insofar as it was primarily Christian in population, having been allegedly part of St. Thomas’ (y’know, “doubting Thomas”?)Continue reading “Goa”

Cochin & Alappuzha

Dearest Rachel – I’m not entirely sure which of these cities I should be telling you about. We’re docking in the former – well, eventually; we’re not expected to arrive until after noon – but I’ll be spending most of my time in the second, cruising (yes, I get off one ship to board anotherContinue reading “Cochin & Alappuzha”

Colombo

Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what it is about this particular city, but I have trouble taking this destination seriously. Much like the criminals matching wits with this guy: Yeah, I admit it; this is what comes to mind when I think of the name of this place. And it’s not like I everContinue reading “Colombo”

Hambantota

Dearest Rachel – I’m going to save the brief bureaucratic nightmare for my recap of the day, as I think it will distract from the research I might as well do on this town (despite its size) and Columbo, given that I’ve got a sea day in which to work on this. As it happens,Continue reading “Hambantota”

Singapore

Dearest Rachel – Well, we’ll soon be in the last place on my itinerary that I’ve been to before. The funny thing is, the one moment I most vividly remember from this place has little to do with it as such, and was just an incident whose circumstances could just as easily have happened anywhereContinue reading “Singapore”

Ho Chih Minh City

Dearest Rachel – Well, at least this place, I expected to be seeing, if I were to wind up as a tourist in Vietnam. Not that I ever expected to be a tourist in Vietnam, to be sure, but on a trip like this, you get the whole buffet to taste and explore. Although, givenContinue reading “Ho Chih Minh City”

Nha Trang

Dearest Rachel – Another port city, another destination I know next to nothing about. In all honesty, when I realized we would be making two stops in Vietnam, I rather assumed that we would be going to the two former capitals – or at least, the port cities that led to them – Hanoi inContinue reading “Nha Trang”

Osaka

Dearest Rachel – So tomorrow is our last stop in Japan (and to think, I still have ¥10,000 in cash to get rid of – never mind the coins – I’d best find something to blow it on), and I need to do this latest destination at least a little bit of justice, seeing asContinue reading “Osaka”

Lines of Attack

Dearest Rachel – You might remember this from the very first days of our marriage; on our honeymoon I had brought along a guide of things to do and see while at Walt Disney World. Back in those days, if you wanted to do certain things there, you needed to make reservations ahead of time,Continue reading “Lines of Attack”

Kagoshima

Dearest Rachel – A couple months ago, I told you about a manga I’d discovered (to be sure, it’s been out for years already, so it’s only really new to me) called Oyasumi Punpun (“Goodnight, Punpun”). Among the many aspects of its overall plotline was a thread in which the title character and his loveContinue reading “Kagoshima”

Nagasaki

Dearest Rachel – I find myself hoping that I’m feeling well enough to go ashore here; of all the destinations to have to miss out on, Japan would be the worst, in my mind. However, I’m pretty sure I was battling a slight fever overnight; if they do a temperature check, I don’t know howContinue reading “Nagasaki”

The City and the Wall

Dearest Rachel – I was going to make this report on the city of Beijing, but I don’t know how much time I’m actually going to be spending there, when it all comes down to it. The day we went to the Great Wall thirty-five years ago took up most of the day, as IContinue reading “The City and the Wall”

Seoul

Dearest Rachel – To be fair, I’m aware that, like General MacArthur, we’ll actually be coming ashore at Incheon, not Seoul. But since my excursion involves heading to the capital, rather than hanging around near the port, I might as well focus on it, don’t you think? Even history aside, it’s more important, given whatContinue reading “Seoul”

Jeju City (Or Is It the Island?)

Dearest Rachel – After pranking myself with Okinawa, it would have to be that we get another destination where the question becomes “is it the city or the island?” This time around, I at least have a hint in the form of my excursion ticket, titled ‘Jeju City Highlights.’ So, I suppose, the city itContinue reading “Jeju City (Or Is It the Island?)”

But Why Repeat Myself?

Dearest Rachel – Ordinarily, on a day when we’re about to land in another port, I should be putting together an essay about culture and history, sights to see and things to experience… particularly with regard to local cuisine. But I have to admit that my heart’s not in it today. Some of that isContinue reading “But Why Repeat Myself?”

Okinawa

Dearest Rachel – Well, finally, here’s a place we’ve heard about back in the day, even if it’s only through various manga and anime. This is the place where it seems every class field trip winds up going to during their third year; the land of shiisa and sata andagi. You would likely giggle everContinue reading “Okinawa”

Taipei

Dearest Rachel – Well, we’re back underway; after more than a day and a half in Hong Kong (and welcoming aboard a whole raft of new passengers – which could be the subject of a whole other letter, I suspect), we’re on our way to another city I’ve never been to, nor have I evenContinue reading “Taipei”

Hong Kong

Dearest Rachel – I deliberately brought my old journal from 1989 (which I think I might have directed at you by using “Querida” as the name I was addressing. The more things change, eh?) so that I would have a certain amount of reference in terms of certain ports we’ll be stopping at. Unfortunately, withContinue reading “Hong Kong”

Subic Bay

Dearest Rachel – The way this itinerary works, one might think that, for each country we visit, we’re required to stop in at least two locations, which have to be as close together as possible. It doesn’t seem to be absolutely necessary that it be so; we can cover a reasonable distance (I was goingContinue reading “Subic Bay”

Manila

Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what it is, but no matter how many sea days I’m given, I can’t seem to do anything but wait for the last minute to put these things together. Ironically, while you wouldn’t necessarily be proud of me for that, you might well be pleased that I’m starting toContinue reading “Manila”

Declaring You

Dearest Rachel – I know I was just telling you the other day about the hoops I had to jump through whenever I got off the ship in Indonesia. Not that they were particularly inconvenient, mind you; it was just that the instructions themselves weren’t complete, as far as I could understand them. But asContinue reading “Declaring You”

Bali

Dearest Rachel – As mentioned yesterday, our next stop will take us a short hop over from Lombok to Bali. Unlike today, which didn’t actually even start until early afternoon (the gangway wasn’t lowered until after 2pm), we’ll be arriving at Bali by seven in the morning. My excursion, however, being a literal day atContinue reading “Bali”

Lombok

Dearest Rachel – Every port we visit these days, I find myself having to apologize for not having done my homework weeks in advance, like I’m used to having done. Considering the changes that happen in some cases (such as the fact that we weren’t ever pulling into Cairns at all, nor did I manageContinue reading “Lombok”

Yorkeys Knob

Dearest Rachel – When I got my excursion tickets for this leg of the journey after getting back from wandering around Brisbane, I was missing the one I thought I’d signed up for in Cairns, and proceeded to head to Guest Services to inquire about it. There was a notice posted there about tours fromContinue reading “Yorkeys Knob”

Whitsunday

Dearest Rachel – You’re probably confused by this title; if you’re expecting a report on our next port of call, you’re expecting me to be discussing the town of Airlie Beach. Besides, you might even remember to point out, Whitsunday isn’t for over two months yet, as it’s the liturgical name for what we mightContinue reading “Whitsunday”

Brisbane

Dearest Rachel – Once again, I’m waiting until virtually the last minute in order to put this report together, because so much else is going on for me to both write about and video. Something’s got to give, and these reports sort of wind up being that something. At least Brisbane has a bit ofContinue reading “Brisbane”

Newcastle

Dearest Rachel – If Australia as a whole could be considered an afterthought in terms of my own opinions of this entire itinerary, then Newcastle would be the afterthought OF the afterthought. At least I’m familiar with Sydney and Brisbane, if only vaguely. Newcastle? Not so much. I suppose it’s excusable; if Greater Sydney makesContinue reading “Newcastle”

Sydney

Dearest Rachel – For all that I’m looking forward to visiting (and revisiting) certain places along this particular cruise, there are others that I’ve given rather short shift to. I clearly didn’t know anything about French Polynesia, and I really haven’t done my homework on anywhere in Australia either. Which is pretty unfortunate, as AustraliaContinue reading “Sydney”

Bay of Islands

Dearest Rachel – Located in a part of New Zealand referred to as the Winterless North (which is a strange pair of words for anyone from the Northern Hemisphere to utter in tandem), the Bay of Islands is about a 150 mile drive up Route 1 from Auckland. While not a long distance – andContinue reading “Bay of Islands”

Auckland

Dearest Rachel – I really need to start getting these reports prepared beforehand a little more; best to use the sea days while I have them, as they’ll be much fewer and farther between once we arrive in New Zealand. Sure, the trip from there to Australia will take a day or two of sailing,Continue reading “Auckland”

Pape‘etē (Tahiti)

Dearest Rachel – Well, this destination is more familiar than that of Mo‘orea, but not by all that much, to be honest. I know of it as the island of temptation that caused the mutineers of the Bounty to revolt against Captain Bligh (and that, based on historical record, he was actually too lax withContinue reading “Pape‘etē (Tahiti)”

Mo‘orea

Dearest Rachel – This particular port is likely going to be the most difficult for me to write about. Not only do I know next to nothing about it, there’s nothing for me to anchor onto, in terms of a city located on the island or anything. It’s just… the island of Mo‘orea, and untilContinue reading “Mo‘orea”

Honolulu

Dearest Rachel – For all that this trip is meant for me to visit a whole, erm, boatload of places that I’ve never been to before (and most likely, never will again – it’s nothing personal, after all, as the opportunity doesn’t arise that often. I’m still kind of surprised to find myself on myContinue reading “Honolulu”

Kailua-Kona

Dearest Rachel – Since the Big Island is somewhere between the respective sizes of the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut, we won’t be doing anywhere near the amount of sailing as we have been for the past six days; all we have to do is to just go halfway around the island to itsContinue reading “Kailua-Kona”

Hilo

Dearest Rachel – Between the events – or perhaps more accurately, the lack thereof – of my first trip on my own, combined with the fact that our first port of call was scratched due to the fire last summer (you’d think that Lahaina could use tourism money that much more these days, in orderContinue reading “Hilo”

Pulled From My Stateroom

Dearest Rachel – As comfortable as I am in my stateroom – and as much as I know I’m going to be familiar with every inch of this ship soon enough – I have this sense that I can’t simply stay in my room all the time. If nothing else, my attendant, I Komang, isContinue reading “Pulled From My Stateroom”

Settling In; Will I Stay Settled?

Dearest Rachel – Aside for the fact that this “at sea” portion of this leg of the cruise is going to go on for nearly a full week, there’s nothing particularly out of the ordinary about moving into my cabin. You and I cruised together (mostly with family, of course, but occasionally on our own) maybeContinue reading “Settling In; Will I Stay Settled?”

No Ragarts

Dearest Rachel – I’m giving myself just a little more than two hours from check-out at the hotel until my pick up for the cruise port. As I’m scheduled to show up for check-in at two, that gives me 45 minutes to ride those six miles, which may be absurdly too much time to getContinue reading “No Ragarts”

Just Another Clout-Chaser

Dearest Rachel – I wasn’t the one to bring it up to my dad when I visited him yesterday, but I’d already read the news item about the fellow when Dad broached the subject. Not that it should surprise me (although it did, since I assumed that most of the folks there would likely be myContinue reading “Just Another Clout-Chaser”

Home(wood) Away from Home

Dearest Rachel – I think that, at one point, we may have considered booking a room at the Homewood Suites a short walk away from the convention center, but balked at the price; at the time, we weren’t in the financial position we – well, I guess, I – are (am?) now. Besides, given thatContinue reading “Home(wood) Away from Home”

The Sun Also Sets

Farewell, Japan – I will miss you. I will miss your forests, with your pine trees standing so closely together (and so close to the road) that your nature can be every bit as claustrophobic as the streets and alleyways of your cities. I will miss your customs, such as the belief that a pairContinue reading “The Sun Also Sets”

Shimizu – 清水

Dearest Rachel – Our trip is just about to wind down, and we’re down to our last stop before returning to Tokyo, and from there to Narita and home via Denver (which no, I am not going to bother writing about. I’ve already told you plenty about having been there). I’m not sure how muchContinue reading “Shimizu – 清水”

All Part of the Show

Dearest Rachel – You might be surprised (or you might not, what do I know?) to discover how often I get started on the letter to you, only to virtually crumpled up and throw it over my shoulder into the trash. Maybe I can’t find an ending for it. Maybe it’s just too rambling andContinue reading “All Part of the Show”

Kyoto – 京都

Dearest Rachel – I know I should be talking about Kobe, since that is the port that we will be coming into tomorrow. However, since our excursion is a Shinkansen ride to Kyoto – and this is the place I remember so vividly, as I walked around it during the day after the Emperor Showa’sContinue reading “Kyoto – 京都”

Takamatsu – 高松

Dearest Rachel – So now, we visit the third of Japan’s major islands, meaning we’ll have stopped at all but Hokkaido on this trip. And to think, we still have three more days before we’re back in Tokyo. Takamatsu is the capital city of Kagawa Prefecture, located in the northwestern part of Shikoku Island, theContinue reading “Takamatsu – 高松”

Hiroshima – 広島

Dearest Rachel – For all that Hiroshima has a certain singular claim to fame (if nothing else, it is the yardstick by which all nuclear devices are measured against, usually in terms of dwarfing it), there is so much more to this city than that one terrible moment. Indeed, the fact that it still standsContinue reading “Hiroshima – 広島”

Kitakyushu – 北九州

Dearest Rachel – So, after that brief sojourn on the tip of the Asian continent proper, we return to the islands of Japan. And I use the plural deliberately, since this is our first visit to a city on an island other than the main one of Honshu. Kitakyushu is a city located in theContinue reading “Kitakyushu – 北九州”

Busan – 부산시

Dearest Rachel – I know that, when cruises’ destinations are within the United States (such as to Alaska and Hawaii), there is a stop (or, more often, an embarkation point) in another country, so that the ship isn’t subject to the laws of the United States, which presumably are considerably more stringent than the internationalContinue reading “Busan – 부산시”

Kanazawa – 金沢

Dearest Rachel – I think of Japan (and the main island of Honshu in particular) as being much like California in shape and climate, if clearly not in culture. If we think of ‘cruise ship speed’ as equivalent to 25 mph on land (at least, that’s what we always referred to it as we droveContinue reading “Kanazawa – 金沢”

Niigata – 新潟

Dearest Rachel – Even before we head down the gangplank tomorrow, we should have a beautiful view, no matter where we are; the side of the ship not facing the city should be able to see Sado Island. At least, that’s what it looks like on the map of the prefecture, showing where the cityContinue reading “Niigata – 新潟”

Akita – 秋田

Dearest Rachel – We’ve now gone across the top of Honshu, and continuing our counterclockwise route around the country through the Sea of Japan (as opposed to the Pacific Ocean proper). Akita (literally translated ‘autumn field,’ which suggests we’re here at exactly the wrong time of year – evidently, the many rice paddies turn aContinue reading “Akita – 秋田”

Aomori – 青森

Dearest Rachel – As our one and only sea day comes to a close, I’m starting in on sending out these daily pre-docking reports, like we used to do as a family. As I’ve mentioned a few times previously, most of the research is being done by artificial intelligence – because there’s too many stopsContinue reading “Aomori – 青森”

Departure Day

Dearest Rachel – No, to the best of my knowledge, it’s not so momentous as yours; we’re just getting everything packed to be taken to our ship. There is a twinge of concern, as we won’t be absolutely sure we’ll be able to get on until we’re actually on. But that’s not something we’re goingContinue reading “Departure Day”

Tokyo – 東京

Dearest Rachel – Since I’m going to be incommunicado on the flight, I figure I’ll have this prepared beforehand to send to you, and schedule it to arrive shortly before landing. After all, it isn’t as if I’m going to be discussing this with Daniel at dinner – while I expect we’ll be served severalContinue reading “Tokyo – 東京”

Return to Israel

Dearest Rachel – After visiting Bethlehem and the shepherd’s caves, we head back into Israel proper. While we never needed our passports (because isn’t it still Israel? I mean, there is no separate country of Palestine at the moment), it has all the feel of a border crossing otherwise. As we arrive at Nebe Samuel,Continue reading “Return to Israel”

Shopportunities

Dearest Rachel – The first time we heard this phrase was the last time we were in Israel. Our guide, Irad, claimed no credit for it; he had, on a recent tour previous, been asked about them from a pair of twenty-something girls, and liked the expression so much as to ask permission to borrowContinue reading “Shopportunities”

A Stone’s Throw Away

Dearest Rachel – As we drive off from our lunch stop (and that’s a quick story for another time), Yael discusses the reforestation of Israel; it would seem that it was denuded of trees in the late nineteenth century for hardwood to build a rail line between Istanbul and Mecca/Medina for hajj travelers. Over 90%Continue reading “A Stone’s Throw Away”

Calm Amid the Chaos

Dearest Rachel – Since thus far, we really haven’t had the time for shopping, it would seem that merchants have decided to come to us. I mentioned about Junior plugging tattoos yesterday; today, we had a guy aboard the bus, shilling personalized necklaces and rings. I’m not gonna lie, I was briefly tempted to getContinue reading “Calm Amid the Chaos”

This You Cannot Make Me Do

Dearest Rachel – The climax of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the moment when Scrooge brushes the snow away from the tombstone of the ‘unknown’ man he had seen lying dead earlier in his travels with the Spirit of Christmas Future. It’s the turning point in which he realizes how worthless his life hasContinue reading “This You Cannot Make Me Do”

The Sacred and the Secular in the City of the Savior

Dearest Rachel – We hear the bleat of a horn (and I’m not kidding – it drops a tone mid-honk) as we step off the bus this morning. It’s normal for the inhabitants, but it’s odd for us to land on an angle this steep. At least it’s easy to make our way out ofContinue reading “The Sacred and the Secular in the City of the Savior”

The City of David

Dearest Rachel – “♫ Jerusalem, if I forget youLet my right hand forget what it’s supposed to do ♪” We bounce in to the strains of reggae, if you can believe it.  Jordan claims it’s a tradition among us at the Bridge, but I don’t recall that from past visits to Jerusalem.  Our first timeContinue reading “The City of David”

Streams and Songs in the Desert

Dearest Rachel – We’re warned not allowed to eat, drink, smoke or feed the animals as we make our way into the En Gedi nature preserve. I wonder about smoking the animals for eating, but Daniel nudges me like you would for a crack like that – which I probably deserve. I thought that EnContinue reading “Streams and Songs in the Desert”

The Last Stand

Dearest Rachel – We’re back at Masada yet again; and although it doesn’t factor into the Biblical record, it seems to be de rigeur for a tourist in Israel to visit, it would seem. It’s a symbol of heroism for Israelis, despite involving what was effectively mass suicide, a serious breach of Jewish morality. However,Continue reading “The Last Stand”

Galilee Afternoon

Dearest Rachel – Sunday dinnerOn the shore of Galilee At a… Chinese restaurant? Actually no, we’re not eating at the Pagoda this time. But, we find ourselves eating outdoors in November – another unfamiliar combination of concepts for a group of Chicago natives. But as time wears on, and the sun beats down on us, evenContinue reading “Galilee Afternoon”

A Light from the Heights

Dearest Rachel – After lunch at Caesarea Philippi, we take an hour-long ride into the Golan Heights (still a part of the Galilee region), to a town called Gamla. You would think that a nation barely the size of Rhode Island wouldn’t have such long drives from place to place, and yet, here we are.Continue reading “A Light from the Heights”

Dan in the North

Dearest Rachel – No, this has nothing to do with Daniel being with me as we head to the northernmost point of Israel (at least, not at first); this area was named Dan long before that. I should point out that I haven’t been bringing our itinerary with us; since I’m not the one driving,Continue reading “Dan in the North”

Blessed Are…

Dearest Rachel – After barely making the bus (it looks like I’m starting to fall into your habits, sweetheart), we listen to a little recent history from Yael as we travel to the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee; basically, that of the two-state proposal as drawn up in 1948 (and summarily rejectedContinue reading “Blessed Are…”

On the Edge of Shabbat

Dearest Rachel – For all our familiarity with certain Jewish traditions – and ever more so, now that Logan is living with us (although he cheerfully agrees with my assessment of him as a ‘cheeseburger Jew,’ which is to say, rather loose with regard to the strictures of his religion) – Israel proper takes whatContinue reading “On the Edge of Shabbat”

The Site of Armageddon?

Dearest Rachel – It’s a strange thing to consider; while we’re well aware that the name Armageddon comes from a specific place – the valley of Megiddo, where we are now heading to – it goes against our understanding to think of the end of the world happening in a single specific place. Armageddon seemsContinue reading “The Site of Armageddon?”

The Difference in Mornings

Dearest Rachel – It says something good about a hotel bed when you wake up in it thinking year at home in your own – although I think it may have had more to do with the ambient traffic noise that I’m so used to back there. It’s less complementary when you check the alarm,Continue reading “The Difference in Mornings”

A Rest Arrested, A Connection Made

Dearest Rachel – I really thought I’d be better at this; given that I was yawning like crazy even as the folks were driving Daniel and I to the airport, I assumed I’d be able to fall asleep on the plane without any difficulty. It was certainly late enough in the evening, and I hadContinue reading “A Rest Arrested, A Connection Made”

Pa(ni)cking

Dearest Rachel – In the eponymous book describing it (and the many adventures Arthur Dent takes under its influence), The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy has emblazoned on its cover two critical words: “Don’t Panic.” In theory, it’s good advice for the traveler, whether you’re escaping a planet that’s about to be destroyed, or justContinue reading “Pa(ni)cking”

Can’t Help But Compare

Dearest Rachel – Waking up ridiculously early this morning isn’t anywhere near as unpleasant as it has been, now that the fan motor has been replaced in the bedroom space heater. Still, without an immediate topic at hand to talk to you about today (since by waking up, I seem to have completely punctured whateverContinue reading “Can’t Help But Compare”

Willemstad

Dearest Rachel – Oddly enough, this report is coming to you from Oranjestad, as we’re not leaving Aruba until something like 11 o’clock tonight. We’re still going to be pulling in to Curaçao by 8 in the morning tomorrow – that’s how close these two islands are to each other – and I’m told thatContinue reading “Willemstad”

Out On the Open Ocean?

Dearest Rachel – It’s not quite seven in the morning, and I’m awake early again. It’s not exactly a complaint, but you think it wouldn’t be necessary, as there is nothing much to see when you’re out in the open ocean. Except, apparently, we aren’t. I was actually woken up, in fact, by a textContinue reading “Out On the Open Ocean?”

Basel

Dearest Rachel – Today I learned that, when you have a head cold (particularly one involving aural congestion), the ascent isn’t a big deal, but the descent is a painful process indeed. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. Since there is neither sleep nor a meal before arriving is Basel, I had best send outContinue reading “Basel”