Hi Lesley,
That is sweet of you and thank you for offering to help. I don't think I can tackle a book like that if I hadn't been to the Middle East and if I didn't understand it as deeply as I do. Yes, I've been, at least 30 times. I lived in Israel for 4 years between the ages of 14-18 when I went back to Spain and Italy where I lived until I moved to the U.S. My mother sent me to a kibbutz in Ashkelon for 2 years at 14. So, my Hebrew is fluent and my Arabic isn't bad either. Also, when I was reporting I covered Middle East politics and happenings... I actually read the newspaper Haaretz online in its English version.
When I go, which is almost every year or two, like you do, I stay in Raanana, which is very Anglo-Saxon (I think many are from South Africa) although I have a cousin in Haifa too. Where do you stay? And like you, I hate that trip. From L.A it's even worse than Atlanta. I remember that trek when I lived in L.A. I dreaded it.
Surprised, huh? You didn't know you belong to my tribe...
Have you ever read Daniel Silva's books? My favorite author when it comes to books that take place in the Middle East.
Monique
Diagnosed 2011 with LC. Currently on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)