Well, I said I would tell more details of my trip abroad as they relate to
letterboxing. I searched for several boxes that had been planted by the
same person, and I came to the decision that I would never look for a box
that person did again. Every single one was in a bad location, and somewhat
questionable judgement, and missing.

Now, lest I begin a new battle . . . I fully recognize my own responsibility
in choosing where to go and where not to go. Please don't take this as an
offense. I really recognize my own culpability, so don't write back with
flames. I'm pointing fingers at me as much as anyone.

Anyway, the Paris boxes, with one exception, were planted in neighborhoods
well out of the way. I think part of the reason I ended up looking for one
of them that I shouldn't have was that I had already come so far to find it.
I didn't want to finally turn back again after spending money on metro
tickets and walking clear out. One box had me go out behind an old church
and said to climb over a wall and go into a tunnel for an abandoned railway
line. I shouldn't have gone, the wall turned out to be much higher than I
thought and I'm not convinced that I didn't break some law, although there
weren't signs posted. Well, the tunnel turned out to be much longer than I
thought it would be. I had to go clear into the dark (the clue had advised
to bring my "torch" so I was glad I had a flashlight). It was only as I
really got out there that it started to sink in that if something were to
happen to me that there wasn't a soul who knew where I was, and there
probably wouldn't be anyone coming by that area in a long time since it was
all closed down. Not smart on my part.

I had to climb up these old ladders built into the tunnel wall. Well, the
ladders were soooo tall. I'm not afraid of heights, but that one caught my
breath. My arms really ached after climbing up and back. Again, stupid on
my part to go, but after getting that far, I really wanted to find the box.
It was my third attempt to find one in Paris (and my third failure to find
one) and I had spent the whole day looking for boxes I never found.

When I finally gave up and went back to the wall, I was climbing over when
some French guys spotted me and came over and started saying something to me
in French. These weren't the nicest looking guys. I had tried to avoid
being seen but missed. They kept saying something, so I explained that I
didn't speak French and they translated a few of the words they knew in
English. It was enough for me to guess that they may have been attempting
to blackmail me after seeing me climb over the wall. I think they were
threatening me. I stayed there for a moment then just went with my gut
instinct and said "I'm sorry I don't understand French" several times then
walked back to the street very quickly. Luckily, they didn't follow. My
heart was pounding. I won't go out to a questionable spot alone again. I
shouldn't have ever climbed the wall, but I was pretty annoyed at the box
having been placed there at all.

Two days later I made an attempt on the last box I had left in my list of
five Paris letterboxes. It again took me way out of my way into an
industrial area residential neighborhood. It wasn't the nicest area, but it
felt okay safety-wise. I walked clear out to find it. The clue said it was
hidden in the ridge of a lamp, but that you didn't need to climb the pole,
you could get the box from the top of the wall. Well, when I got there the
lamppost was somewhere near 20-25 feet high and the wall was well above my
head as well at it's lowest point. I couldn't believe it. Every one of
this person's clues involved massive height and possibly getting in trouble
to get there. I looked at the spot, then getting some sense, I turned
around and walked away without even trying. I was ticked that I spent a
significant portion of my vacation running around areas that weren't worth
seeing to look for nothing. Oh well, those are the chances we take, I
guess. At least I still enjoyed the other parts of the city.

I actually had much better luck in Jerusalem. There weren't any boxes yet
from what I could find. I had decided not to make a plant unless I knew it
was in a safe, respectful spot, but I didn't think I would find one. What I
hadn't anticipated was finding a wonderful shopkeeper that would be totally
excited to be involved. I hadn't thought of an indoor box.

I went to buy some carvings at a shop that many of my friends who had
studied in Jerusalem recommended. My university has a small campus for an
exchange program there and they have built a good reputation in the
community, but with the current situation, there hasn't been a studentbody
there for a while. I went to the shopkeeper (he goes by Baghdadi) for some
olive wood carvings and saw that he had many wedding invites and business
cards around the shop from many who studied abroad through my university.
He was so excited when he found out how I knew who he was. It also helped
that I came in with my friends that I was visiting. They are a very well
respected family in the Muslim community. After I had bought my things. I
explained letterboxing to the shopkeeper and he was excited to let me leave
a box there, and he wanted to write "God bless you," in Arabic, in the logs
of those who stamp in. He was so nice to me and seemed genuinely excited,
so to show my gratitude I named the letterbox "Baghdadi's letterbox", in his
honor. I know tourism has died there, but I hope that some will go find the
box and support his business while they are at it.

So that was my pleasant surprise. I was able to make a Jerusalem plant, one
that I believe is the first letterbox in the country, in a way that is
totally safe for all involved without disrespecting a cultural or religious
landmark. I'm pretty tickled with the result.

This has turned into a ridiculously long post, so I will say goodnight. I
just wanted to catch everyone up. My trip was wonderful and I am so glad I
went. Just seeing my friend at her wedding was reason enough to have gone,
even if I hadn't seen a thing. I just hope there will be peace sometime
soon-actually, that's what is on the stamp I carved. I had chosen the
design before someone else suggested it. It is a dove with an olive branch
in it's mouth. Hopefully there will be peace again so I can return and do
the city sights justice.

Until later,
Cadenza