… in the U.S.A. as of 5:04 a.m. Eastern, after an 11 hour flight from Israel to JFK. Then the 4.5 hour drive to Ithaca. So suffice it to say I’m tired.
My final Israel travel post, which was mostly prepared yesterday while I was in Israel, will run later today, regarding my trip to the Lebanese border near Metula and the mysterious Hezbollah “village” along the border.
Thanks for the tremendous efforts of Mandy for running the blog while I was away, and to our regular contributors Leslie and David for picking up the pace of posting. Special thanks to our unretired contributors Fuzzy and Bryan, and to our guest contributer Neo-Neocon.
And how could I forget — Andrew for his continuing excellent coverage of self-defense issues, and Tony for his great cartoons.
Aleister also helped run the show at College Insurrection while I was away, assisted by Leslie.
Let’s give them all a round of applause.
The Israel trip was fantastic. The details are in my prior travel posts. The big picture is … (as he fades a little) … is (as he fades some more)… the people I met, not the landscape or even the history.
I got to connect with numerous Israeli bloggers:
- Anne In Petah Tikva, Adam Levick of CiF Watch, and Aussie Dave of Israelly Cool [post here];
- Carl in Jerusalem of Israel Matzav [post here],
- Hadar Sela of BBC Watch [post here],
- as well as reader Israel Pickoltz [post here].
I also met a number of people who work in the Israeli government to get their perspective on events, and to convey the perspectives I’ve aired here many times.
And I also made some other Israeli friends. Who knows, maybe we picked up a few new readers.
I also reconnected with someone from my Moscow days who has a remarkable family and life story, and whose blossoming in Israel is something of a parable for Israel as a nation.
Now I think I’ll rest a little. I need a vacation after this vacation.

Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZzEzDkeHzI
Welcome Back!
Welcome Back Kotter – Theme Song
glad you and everyone had a safe trip.
So happy that you had a nice trip and welcome home!!!!
Here, let me say it for you ….
Yesterday’s a dream
Now I face the morning
Crying on the breeze
The pain is calling, oh Mandy
Well you came and you gave without taking
And I sent you away, oh Mandy
And you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you today, oh Mandy
Welcome back, Professor! Now, have a long, good sleep to overcome the jet lag. You must be exhausted!
Thanks for the pictures!
You made it from Queens to Ithaca in 4.5 hours?
Welcome home. The stories and the pictures you kept sending were just marvelous. Better than any postcards, ever!
Now you can get back to work to get some rest
It’s always good to go, but great to get back home
So glad you had a memorable trip and met new friends
Thanks for sharing your experiences “over there”, and kudos to your fill-in crew while you were gone.
‘ey vinnie, whos dis guy!
Ahhh, ok. tell the boys to make sur he stays ok, vin, got that vin!
Glad you made it home safely Prof. It was an absolute pleasure meeting you and your wife and I feel so chuffed that I got the chance to show you a bit of my hometown. Thank you too for the huge boost you’ve given my blog.
Your posts from Israel have been great! You really packed your vacation with so many experiences, it must have been more of a learning experience than a vacation.
No wonder you need to rest up! Please don’t leave it another 30 years till you come back!