I'm back. Actually, I've been back for almost 2 weeks now. I've had to spend a bit of time recovering from the jet lag, not to mention trying to get back into the swing of Lewder Steel. I received many encouraging emails from lots of you and I just wanted to say thank you!

As for the trip. Let me first start out by saying that I may never watch CNN the same way. While most of you, me included, were worried about going to Israel at the current time, I got most of my information from watching CNN. They would have you believe that it was a complete war zone and that it was totally unsafe for anyone. You want my answer? Phooey.

From the moment I got on the El Al plane at JFK to the moment I landed back at JFK 5 days later, I felt totally at ease. We never saw armored personnel carriers, massive rocks being thrown at anyone, no guns being pointed in anger, no shooting, no yelling, no nothing. Actually, we saw a lot of nothing...especially people. It was really sad to see so many little shops and restaurants wide open with no one in them. These folks are basically starting to starve...perhaps not in the literal sense, but certainly in the trying-to-make-a-living sense. And not just the Jewish folks. I wandered into the Arab Quarter in the Old City and bought some stuff from a vendor there. He said business was terrible because everyone was afraid to visit. I decided not to get into a political discussion with him, but he looked pretty sad about things. He did tell me that he wished everyone could just live together in peace.

You figure that one out. I can tell you that most of the Israeli's that I met went out of their way to say thank you for coming over. They seemed genuinely appreciative of the fact that we were visiting. That made me feel pretty good about taking a week off of work and spending the money. Most people were pretty amazed that I would take this kind of trip as a first one to Israel. Actually, it was the perfect trip for me because I am so interested in history and politics.

I would have to say this about the political situation there: If you think you are confused about what the hell is happening over there...just ask an Israeli. For everyone you meet they have a different opinion on what should be done. No one agrees on anything except for a few details. One of them is that most people, including now the Left Wingers, are convinced that the Arab's who live either in the West Bank, Gaza or in Israel, hate the Jews for simply being Jews. In other words, it's not just the land the Arabs seem to want, according to the folks I spoke with, but it's the Jews being driven into the sea. Dead. Literally. These are NOT my words or OPINIONS mind you. And, the general consensus that I got was that the trust that had been built up over the past few years is now completely gone. It seems really sad that it has come to that. But, again, since I don't live there, I have to take their words for how they feel about it. I think it's very difficult for me to have a serious opinion about things like Jerusalem, Right of Return, and borders when I don't live there. I don't pay taxes there, have a job there, have kids in the Military there...etc. I figure we've had enough of our own problems just trying to elect a president in our country!

It is a really beautiful country with lots of folks who don't seem to know which way to go. I think it's great that the folks over there are passionate about their homes...on both sides of the line. I honestly hope that some day, maybe not this generation, but some day the children will all get the chance to meet each other and figure out they are both the same...just practicing their ways of life a little differently from the other. The adults and even some of the children may never see eye to eye. There seems to be just too much distrust and anger and hatred on both sides.

I don't think either side is totally right, or totally wrong, or without guilt. I am certainly a bit more confused after going there, politically, and I am now beginning to educate myself on the regional history. But I was absolutely amazed at what I saw and would love to go back. The people are just like us Americans...opinionated, passionate, and loud. While I never quiet felt like I was back in Michigan, I also never quite felt like I was in a foreign country either. I'm not sure if I can explain it any better.