Nun sind wir wieder in Deutschland angekommen, und wir haben Zeit ueber unsere Reise durch Israel nachzudenken. Dabei kommen wir zu dem Ergebnis, das es fuer uns ein ganz grosses Erlebnis war. Das es aber zu diesem grossen Erlebnis wurde – dafuer gebuehrt dir unser Dank. Du hast dich vom ersten Tag an vaeterlich um uns gekuemmert. Dein grosses Wissen, aber auch deine Paedagogische Art, haben uns viel gegeben. So haben wir dein Vaterland kennengelernt,wie es sicher andere Reisegruppen nicht behaubten koennen.

Was wir zudem noch bewundern, das war deine perfekte Organisation.Wir waren immer ueberall zur richtigen Zeit. So hatten wir Gelegenheit alles in Ruhe anzuschauen. Eigentlich war das was du uns gezeigt und erklaert hast so viel, das wir noch viele Wochen brauchen, um es zu verarbeiten.

Kaum waren wir zuhause – da erschien in unserer Zeitung ein Artikel ueber Herzl, und heute hat mir Asta das Buch „Der Judenstaat“ geschenkt.

Lieber Dan, wir denken sehr gerne an die Woche mit dir in Israel zurueck. In diesem Sinne gruessen wir dich herzlich,

I had the distinct pleasure of hiring (through Holland America Cruises Shore Excursions) your driver, Dan Arnold, for a full-day excursion from Ashdod to Jerusalem.

Although I had thought that the price of the excursion was high, thanks to Mr. Arnold, it was very inexpensive for what we received. We had never visited Israel before and, though vaguely familiar with the “tourist traps” of Jerusalem, were totally ignorant of the highlights we should visit. His knowledge and expertise, as well as his incredible foresight into what attractions we should visit and experience in Jerusalem, made this trip very memorable. His solicitude of, and active assistance with, my wheelchair-bound wife made many attractions available to us which otherwise would not have been possible.

I am hard pressed to sufficiently express my wife’s and my delight with this incredible driver/tour guide. He is a real gem, and I hope you value him as much as we did: With sincere and lasting gratitude to Mr. Arnold, I remain

Very truly yours, Jonathan H. Seder

I cannot write in Arabic or Hebrew, so English has to do.

We just want to thank you for a most enjoyable and informative tour. We all got more than we bargained for, thanks to you. Even if we had a choice – we could not have chosen a better guide.

Gowie and Magda Cilliers,

South-Africa.

I am sure, with your excellent memory and intellect, you would not have forgotten the Burma/Britain group you took on tour last week.

This letter is to express our sincere thanks to, you for the very professional and informative way in which you conducted the tour. Your knowledge of the History of Israel astounded all of us, and of course added to it was the humour of you had so much of, that certainly made us look forward to the days when we would met with you. We were very lucky indeed to have you as a guide, and on behalf of all my friends I would like to say “thank you very much, Dan”.

I always maintain it is a ‘small world’, and hope that some day we will meet again (preferably in Israel), but should you visit England at any time – please do give me a call, Derek and I would be happy to meet you, and offer any assistance you may require.

I close with best wishes to you for the future, carry on enjoying your work, and imparting the knowledge you have, to all lucky people who have you as your tour guide,

Kind regards, your sincerely,

Silvia