Kuan Yin's Guestbook

Good on You!
Karen, I have thoroughly vicariously enjoyed your trip to Israel and Jordan. It was great to see your perspective on the problems faced by the Israelis. I hope you don't mind but I forwarded your e-mail with blog to my Rabbi as I think she will enjoy it greatly. She has a brother in Israel who is also a Rabbi and she makes a trip there every year. I miss seeing you at Hurley so send me an e-mail from time to time to let me know how you are doing in warm, sunny California. Carole

Hi Karen, I enjoyed reading your blog. I'm an Israeli who live in Jerusalem. About the soldiers that you see in the streets - you'll find soldiers everywhere in Israel because almost every 18-20/21 year old serves in the army, so the soldiers you see everywhere are on their way to their bases or from them to their homes. Sometimes they just visit places like Tel Aviv without actually living or serving there. Soldiers are required to take there weapons with them everywhere, that's why they carry it with them wherever they go. It's not like they are about to shoot someone, they are required to have it with them and not leave it at home for instance, even if they just stroll around or have fun on the beach. Regarding Miri Aloni, she started in one of the army bands I think in the 1960's and was the leading singer in the first recording of "Shir Lashalom" as a soldiers in that band. That's why this song is kind of associated with her. In recent years she had financial difficulties and she makes some living singing in Nahalat Binyamin. When she started doing that it drew a lot of public attention because she used to be a known singer and it's not common to see someone like her singing in the streets. But she says it's not a humiliation for her and that she enjoys it. The song "Shir Lashalom" was composed by Yair Rosenblum who composed many songs to the army bands and in my mind has written some of the most beautiful melodies in Israeli pop/rock music.

The print keeps getting smaller and smaller.
Too funny about misreading the camel market. I enjoyed your story about Miri Aloni.

Love the Market Pics!
Hi Karen, WOW - looks like fabulous eating for foodies who like to experiment. I wonder what they do with food that spoils without refrigeration, maybe it gets re-cycled to some other thing, like compost. I know I'm a little behind in reading these but I haven't been very good about email -- too many other things to do. Hope to be out of here by June 1, IF I can get something done to relieve the pain in the sciatic nerve. Stay safe. Nikki

Enjoy!
I know you are enjoying the history! I'm enjoying travelling along with you -Bill

I love the market photos
Fortified by an iced coffee and you are on your way.

Phew!!
So glad you arrived safely. It sounds so exciting already, can't wait to hear more!!!

HI Karen, Glad you made it safe and sound. I am now ensconced in the RV, trying to put away stuff I should have give away! Weather has been great, but I know it will soon change, so hope to be long gone. As a fellow travel, I am wondering what kind of medical coverage you have while overseas. It is something I am thinking about, but don\'t have a clue as to where to look. Thanks PS: How about some \"food\" pics!

You Didn't Say
You didn't say whether Stratford's Lad is no longer a maiden

You Really Are Retired!
You must be retired in you have time to lounge around at the race track!! Isn't big risks, big reward?

We were cheated by a farm owner
On 8 September 2012, our driver brought us to a farm which located at Br. Temen, Tampaksiring, Gianyar, Bali (his mobile phone is 081337010994 or 0-361-8035707). We were happy that the owner of farm was so nice to show us the coconut tree, coffee tree, and others, and let us try different tastes coffee. He told us that were instant coffee, no need to add sugar, each pack of coffee were contained BLACK SUGAR which was organic. So we bought many packs of coffee he strongly recommended. We are so angry that not only the price, of course almost 3times of the market price, but also the sugar contained is white sugar, disagreed with his mentioned, black orangic sugar. I comment it because I hope no one will be cheated by the bad owner.