The "New" City

Now, while I hardly consider myself self a snob and actually prefer simple, rustic places to fancy ones. I AM SO GLAD TO BE AT THE SHERATON!! Ahhh...finally a bed with a fluffly down comforter...big puffy pillow(s!!)..which are a huge improvement compared to the bologna sandwich types we have had....AC (yea!!)..and NO 3am wake up prayers!! A beautiful pool is just calling my name....and we have room service that brings ice....ICE!! However, we are in a bit of "culture" shock also....the prices for food (vs that in the Old City) are VERY high. Everything at the hotel is SUPER expensive. (Rooms are almost $400/night!!) So we hit a little grocery store across the store for cheese and crackers and a bottle of wine for dinner. Worked for us! Yesterday was Sabbath and out of respect for the day, practicing Jews should not work at all...so as the hotel observes this also...it was quite an experience to see how they kept things running until the end of Sabbath, which was about 8:30 last night, when things went back to "normal". We were exposed to some ways of observing the day that we were totally unaware of!! When we checked in we had to go to the back office to register as we could not write on the front desk (work being observed???) but it gave us the opportunity to make friends with (aka suck up to) the manager...who gave us an upgraded room and bought us a drink in the bar while we waited for our room to be ready. ;o)) No public computers could be used. Only cold food served. The elevators worked but as you should not press the buttons on Sabbath (more work), one elevator automatically stopped on even floors, the other on odd ones. There were scores of families filling the lobby...enjoying the day and each other...engaged in play and contemplative conversation....from old to very young. Their faith is evident everywhere...yarmulkes...those little crocheted hats you see Jewish men wearing. I thought it was spelled Yamika..(isn't that a motorcycle or piano??) but guess who knew the right way to spell it!! Some men were wearing what looked, to me, like a sophisticated version of a black cowboy hat on some of the men....some hats looked like a big, furry round pillbox (will post a pix)....some had prayer shawls...some long curly locks of hair hanging from their temples. There is a mezuzah on the doorframe of each hotel room. Terry had to tell me what it was...so I'll tell you, incase you don't know. Mezuzahs are little cases/vessels that contain a small parchment scroll that are inscribed with scripture which is placed in the case and then fixed to the doorpost, by Jews, as a sign and reminder of their faith. What an interesting culture to now learn about!
Not sure what today holds other than connecting with Mike and Rachel Brem. Dr. Brem Rachel is the Course Director for this conference. She is Chief of Breast Imaging at George Washington University....Terry and I also owe her a great deal of gratitude for including us in this important endeavor. We are really looking forward to meeting our Isreali colleagues/faculty and participants. We are confident that by working together we can make this a positive and productive experience for everyone.
More later!