I also spent one day on the base that distributes gas masks to civilians.  We took old kits (from the last Gulf war) and opened them, replaced the atropine, checked the tubes, and reboxed them.  They are giving out gas masks to everyone.  As you have already heard from family and friends, the economy is really bad.  This was my first trip to Israel that I felt like I was the only American tourist in the whole country.

On my free weekends, large hotels I have stayed in the past, had only a few occupied rooms.  From taxi drivers to waiters and waitresses, people wanted to know what I was doing in Israel, and thanking me for coming at this very hard time in their history.

One other something I thought about and wanted to pass onto you in case you wanted to share with new volunteers about the three weeks.

Week 1:  You are getting to know your volunteer group and adjusting to the living conditions  the army lifestyle.  You are also asking yourself, Is this really for me?  Your sense of humor is not quite what it could be.

Week 2:  You have gotten to know your group and have made friends.  You are feeling somewhat useful at work but your life is still centered around your group.  Your sense of humor has returned, most days but you still do not know if you would do this again.

Week 3:  You reach out to the Israeli soldiers.  They now know you and you have had an opportunity to get to know them.  You know why you came and have given up three weeks of your life.  You are now making plans to return next year.

Take care.

Fern