From Tel Aviv to Toronto

Thanks to Stephen and his family in Israel I was able to see Jerusalem and the Dead Sea in the few days I had in Israel before I returned home due to a family emergency. Jerusalem was interesting and I managed to see the tomb of Christ, the place where Muhammed is said to have made his ascent to Heaven, and the 'Wailing (or Western) Wall'. The old streets in the Muslim quarter were the most authentic, while the Jewish quarter was newer and more beautiful, but with less character. It was astounding to see the difference between the two areas, evidence of the oppression of the Arabs in Israel. Unfortunately I was unable to visit Bethlehem or the West Bank, an experience that I was looking forward to for the perspective I would have gained.
The Dead Sea was the other highlight in the few days I spent in Israel, and I again did this with Stephen and his Cousin Avi, an incredibly hospitable young man who taugt me a lot about Israeli life. The Dead Sea itself was an incredible feeling - that is when I finally allowed myself to 'sit down' in the water, at which point I was pushed up and found myself floating as if I was on a lounge chair. This feeling on water is amazing - and if Jesus really did walk on water, the Dead Sea would have made that an easy task.
I am now back in Newmarket with my family and have been so for since Saturday the 5th. I apologize for not writing earlier to those who have been following my adventures through this blog, but this is probablythe last you will hear from me on this sight for a while. God Bless.