Dear Maggie,

Today I went to Tzfat. It is the most magical town. I took a bus tour by myself as David was super busy with meetings. Actually, there were 10 of us in a van with a guide. It was so interesting because on the ride down and the ride back the guide told us so much other stuff about living in Israel. Uri (that's his name) was an older man, about 65. He came to Israel when he was a little boy. His parents left Germany in time. He fought in several of the wars, including the Yom Kippur War in l973. He told us all about it. His best friend lost an eye in that war, but the medical care and the rehabilitation were so good, that he went on to a full life and even stayed serving in the army. Everyone, at least the men, serve and then can be called up until like they are 53. Those who refuse to fight, such as pacifists, get other jobs. One job is picking up all the remains and body parts if a bomb goes off or there is a shooting. Can you imagine? Everything about a human being is considered sacred, even a lost limb.

Well, on to the town. It is up high on a hillside and supposed to be one of the most mystical places in Israel, maybe the world. The elevation is about 3000 feet. Since the 16th century it has been considered one of Judaism's Holy Cities. That's because the mystic part of Judiasm was developed here. You know, Kabbalah. Do you know anything about Kabbalah? I don't but I'd like to. As soon as we started walking around I felt different. I felt so pure in the town. The air was so clear and I could just imagine people praying and getting closer and closer to God, like in Eat, Pray Love, when Elizabeth Gilbert got to India and finally got closer to the essence of it all. We must come back when you get here.

I bought some great jewelry in Tzfat also. A necklace, earrings to match and a bracelet. There were all created by this beautiful girl that looks like an angel except she wears a headscarf instead of a halo. Here are pictures!

Love, Natalie

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