April 16, 2013 - The Wonder of Independence

Like many travelers here, we began the day with a huge Israeli breakfast. Like many Israelis on this national holiday, continued with a BBQ lunch in the countryside. But before earning our lunch, we took a jeep tour through the Judean Hills along the Burma road. From our guide we learned of the importance of this unpaved road as a protection of the many trucks snaking up the main road to Jerusalem. In 1948 the Jordanians and local Arabs laid siege to Jerusalem and cut off all supplies. Reopening this road was of paramount importance. As Ben Gurion said at the time "There can be Jerusalem without Israel but there cannot be Israel without Jerusalem.

It was a bumpy but exhilarating ride. Many of us did some hiking as well. Some of us had drivers from a major settlement bloc (Gush Estzion) who was anxious to share some political views.

After our journey we were pleased and surprised to find sumptuous BBQ laid out for us with pillows on the forest floor for us to eat Beduion style. They certainly feed us well!

The afternoon was spent on tour of the "Geopolitics of Jerusalem." We saw views of the security fence and discussed the complexities of land, history and geography. Everyone was reminded that solutions that look simple from far away become much more complicated when you see them up close.

The day closed with a tour of the Israel museum which included the Second Temple model (moved from the Holy Land Hotel), the Shrine of the Book and the remarkable renovation of the museum itself. We were tired enough not to be able to absorb everything from this most remarkable museum - the exhibitions on archeology or Jewish artifacts from around the world could take up a day. We might come back on our own when we have a free day. The museum was full because it is free on this national holiday! But it did not feel at all crowded.

In all, a wonderful way to spend Yom Haatzmaut!