Yad Vashem - The Name and The Place

Yad Vashem - The Name and The Place
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

Our guide told us that Yad Vashem is translated The Name and the Place. Taken from Isaiah 56:1-8. This holocaust heros and martyrs museum is much more than I expected. I would put this on the must-see list. I especially appreciated the video interviews with survivors. There are places to sit and watch an interview while you are surrounded by pertinent artifacts. One could easily spend 4 hours there. I think we only spent 2, and it felt like I had to rush through the last half. There is no photography allowed inside. This photo shows a hero martyr: I don't remember his name - maybe someone on the trip got a photo of the caption for this monument. The man was a school teacher who chose to stay with his boys and be killed with them rather than abandon them to the Nazis. I spent some time today at the Yad Vashem website reading from the Righteous Among the Nations stories. What a valuable experience.

Thank you Olsun, for the info on this photo: This man - named Janusz Korczak
- was polish Jude, teacher and writer. He has wrote books for children and for teachers and parents. Sorry for my English :-)

Ready to Ship Duffles Now on Special

If you have been saving up for one of my fabulous travel bags, now is the time to get the best deal. I have 7 bags made and ready to ship. Go to my duffle section to choose one, and enter the coupon code RTS20 to get $20 off at checkout. This special applies only to my ready to ship duffles pictured here. There is still time to order a custom duffle for Christmas. Those are regular price and we need to talk fabric ASAP, so contact me if you want something other than what you see in this photo. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. We are heading to Seattle to enjoy it with family. More Israel and Egypt photos coming.

My Carry-on Backpack

My Carry-on Backpack
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

I made this bag specifically for the Israel/Egypt trip. I wanted to test a large backpack for the person who wants to travel with only one bag. I made it to the maximum carry-on size for Delta Airlines which is 22x14x9 inches. It fit into the overhead bins nicely. I did carry it just about everywhere. Here it is pictured at the Roman ruin of Bet She'an. There are a few changes I will be making as I put it into production and prepare the pattern for release - like adding a belt strap to take some of the weight off the shoulders. I had a blast making it and figured out an awesome way to line every part. It really is a serious piece of luggage. Part of the joy of making it was using Etsuko Furuya's fabrics. Watch for bags like this one in my shop soon and the sewing pattern Spring 2011.

From Western Stairs at Dome of the Rock

From Western Stairs at Dome of the Rock
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

Correct me if I am wrong. Maybe there is a better name for this location. (I am sure that invitation opens a can of worms.) This may be one of the most controversial places on the planet. Believed by both Jews and Muslims to be the location of the creation of Adam, and the location of the sacrifice of Abraham, this spot stirs the heart of both faiths. Jews still refer to it as the temple mount, the site of their only temple, destroyed in 70A.D. Currently, it is the site of a golden dome memorializing a mystical visit by the muslim prophet to this place. The heart of Jerusalem for Muslims is the famous golden dome (my back is to it in this photo,) while Jews seek the heart of Jerusalem underground (literally below my feet.) We walked through the tunnel that is under the Western wall of the city (some of you know it as the wailing wall,) and witnessed devout women fervently praying underground, as close as they can get to the Ark of the Covenant, buried in the Holy of Holies beneath the temple mount. I think my word for Jerusalem is Layers. Our trip was all about geography and history (we covered a lot of both.) I would love to go back again and just have the time to be a person instead of a tourist.

Art Galleries Netanya, Israel

Art Galleries Netanya, Israel
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

My first impression of Israel was peace, the second impression - respect. The artwork hung outside the galleries which you don't really see in the US unless the watchful artist is present. I wondered, Can they really trust one another to this degree? We happened upon this place on the Sabbath, so there were only us Christians wandering about. There seems to be a genuine respect for family and tradition in Israel - so many businesses closed for an entire day every week. I was starting to feel how intimate this country is. There are so many ways I can describe Israel, yet I feel I don't really know Israel at all. The portrait in the foreground looks like the Israel I met. She is dressed for work. In fact, you can see she has been working hard, yet her hands are behind her back. She is young and fragile. Larger than her borders. Simple and beautiful. Unfinished.

Gate - Netanya, Israel

Gate - Netanya, Israel
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

My first impression of Israel was the Ben Gurion airport just outside of Tel Aviv. Quiet. No music. No TV's. No ads bombarding my senses. Even though I had been travelling for about 24 hours to get there (stupid long layover at JFK included) I had a feeling I was going to like this peaceful place. A short drive North to our first destination, Netanya, revealed this tranquil corner. This is the backside of a Mediterranean beach front home. Yes, I would Summer there. White sand, finer than sugar, small town, art galleries, restaraunts. Click on the photo link to go to Flickr where you can see it larger.