March of the Living 1999 Diary

April 20, 6:30 PM

What a day! I'm going to try to write as much as I can, because supper is at seven, and I know I'm going to have much more to say later.

Today we went to see the supreme court of Israel. The building is a architect's dream. It combines so many different elements so well. There's even a water channel in a courtyard in the building.

Then we went a little down the road for the siren. I didn't mention that there was also a siren last night at 8:00 PM, because there was an army demonstration then. Anyway, I know I've heard about how people get out of their cars and stand still, but it's different to actually see it. I've never seen anything like it in my life. I didn't feel as sad as I thought I would, though. I felt a little detached. I guess I had too much sad last week and my body doesn't want any more.

Last week! Was Poland really last week? It seems like years!

Okay, then we went to a military cemetery. That's where Izhak Rabin was buried and many other past leaders. It's called Har Herzl. We all got flowers (red carnations). I put mine on Hanah Senish's grave. One thing I noticed, when I looked at the tombstones of some of the graves, is that there were people who were only 16 years old when they were killed! That's my age, and it got me to thinking, would I do that now? I don't think I would. It made me appreciate them even more. By the way, we saw lots of army people today.

Then we went to Ben Yehuda street. I did something I rarely do: I splurged. First, I went with Ari and Jacob to a restaurant called Café Rimon, where they have the biggest ice cream sundaes I have ever seen! I even took before-and-after pictures because I don't think anyone would believe how big it is. [Note: Those pictures were subsequently lost. I'm trying to get replacement ones.]

Then I shopped. I got lots of stuff: 2 t-shirts, a hat, a pin, a ring, and even a sunburn. Yup, I'm sunburnt. Oh well. It'll wear off, probably just in time for me to get another one in the summer.

Tonight we have the Yom Haatzmaut party on Ben Yehuda. Almost everyone on the March got these plastic hammers that squeak when you hit something with them. It's going to be fun. I'll give mine to Jeff when I get home, I think.

What else? Not much. There's fireworks at nine. I'm looking forward to them. I haven't seen fireworks in at least a year, probably more.

I called Shoshana for the first time today. I'm looking forward to meeting her, too. I also called mom.

That's about it. Write later,
Julie