Schools out 5/17: History by the Acre

An amazing and yet again eventful day (most of it not for blogging unfortunately). Acre (AKA Acco) is a world heritage site that has some incredible history going back to the Egyptians, Phoenicians and Ottomans long before you get to modern Israel.

This picture comes from one of three beautiful bas-reliefs being put into the crypt restoration beneath the citadel. The subterranean world of Acre is incredible and if you can bear to stoop the tunnels are fascinating testament to the crafty ways of the crusaders who pretty much made the place their home from home for a while.

Had a fab meal of mezze overlooking the bay of Haifa, eating aubergine dip and Turkish breads whilst watching the local youth jump and somersault into the sea from the rocks in the old port. For the second night running however we had waiters looking sadly at us when we told them where we were from and expressing sympathy for the state of our country. Last week's riots have not just hurt us at home.

Gave a young Israeli soldier a lift tonight, hitch hiking is very common particularly with soldiers who have little money and want to get home to their families for a couple of weeks leave like this one. She was very grateful and friendly so maybe we did something to restore the English reputation abroad ?.