Back by Popular Demand

Okay, so I'm way behind on posting details of the trip. I will catch up -- I always do, but for now, since we're leaving Jerusalem in an hour (unshowered, unpacked, haven't eaten yet -- but blogging after running comes first!) I'm going to jot out a few of my famous riffs -- observations on the trip thus far:

Israelis are a passionate lot. Given their struggle to survive, it's understandable, but the passion that they bring to their perspectives and their lives is amazing.

The food is fantastic and we are eating like kings. We are eating at nice restaurants, true -- but the freshness of the vegetables, the use of the spices, is staggering.

Unemployment must be low. It seems everyone is employed either in the military, as security, or in the high tech industry (which ranks behind the US as the second-biggest in the world).

For a desert, they've sure been getting a lot of rain. It is the rainy season, so the steady downpour of Monday night and nearly all of Tuesday has been helpful. It worked out well, since Tuesday was primarily an inside day of speakers. Today is sunny (one of the reasons I went for a run), and we are traveling around the country.

There is a widespread opinion that the political system here is broken -- too many parties, not enough ability for leadership. The major parties are in consensus that reform is needed, although it appears there is no consensus on reform. A total of 34 parties ran in the last election, although only 10-12 (will doublecheck that figure) won seats in the Knesset.

Politics, or at least complaining about politics, appears to be a national sport on par with the NFL. Fans of the losin team want to fire the coach, and fans of the winning team wonder why they aren't winning by more.

The hotel has an interesting design -- the windows are sideways into the room, which I'm theorizing is for security purposes -- so snipers couldn't get a clear shot at the guests (not a design feature found in your typical Marriott).

Well, back on the bus, Gus.