Herod the Great’s artificial port…

Then on to the olive farm of the wife of the man who wrote Top Gun & history of Israeli Air Force; whose uncle brought Jews from Poland to colonize and learn farming. Only 100 came and struggled so much that 500 stayed behind, dying later in the holocaust. She had us make pita bread with topping in a propane oven having high heat from the top and bottom.

Haifa an interesting city with a beautiful old German quarter from late 1800s, a renegade Lutheran sect called Templers looking to expedite the second coming by rebuilding the Holy Land temple. The British removed them temporarily for WWI then in 1939 sent most to Australia and after 1948 war that Israel won, all nationalities that had anti Semitic practices were not allowed in the country. There is nevertheless now a lovely mix of Muslims, Christians, Jews and a big Baha’i contingent here (Muslim split off that requires belief in all religions). Everyone has been very hospitable.

Purim ballerinas, the Baha’i gardens and temple at night, charming garden restaurant Fatoosh in the German quarter, the major high rise and the local crow with a white cape above.