Several items of news in the U.S. over the past week have hit close to home. James Kim died while trying to save his family in a snowstorm very near to my parents’ house and where we spent some time this summer. James was my age, and an editor of a website I read frequently.
The mall where Kelli shopped this summer in Rockford, Illinois was the target of a terrorist plot this month. The FBI caught him before he could blow up the Cherry Vale shopping center.
And apparently green onions from my birth city of Oxnard, California was the cause of the dozens of sick Taco Bell customers.
These things make me sad, and they also lead me to ask,
Aren’t you scared to live in America? It sounds very dangerous from the news.
Another factor I rarely hear commented on is language. How important do you think it is for people visiting Israel to know Hebrew or Arabic?
G.M. – most people, esp. those tourists will encounter, know English. It is a required subject in school, on both sides of the fence. As soon as you leave Israel, Hebrew doesn’t do you any good, so Israelis know that they need to learn English.
Good point about the danger, Todd. I’d feel more comfortable in Israel any day! I’m glad you are all “safe” though, from what we hear in the news.
Two weeks ago we were blessed with 8 inches of snow in 6 hours! Highly unusual for Western Washington. Even more unusual, it lasted 6 days, caused thousands of power-outages, burst plumbing (due to the cold) and school delays for days. Yesterday we had gale-force winds and more power-outages. The wind was so strong I had to hold onto the wheel tightly to stay on the highway. And all of that is just the weather! When is the next flight to Israel? :)
Ditto, Rachel– I’d fly over in a heartbeat. :)
NIce, Todd. Smooth.
I concur with your musings.
I would take a trip to Israel … in a heartbeat. Two problems: cash and time. TMC always plans these special trips when I’m still in school.