Israel's 60th Birthday

Part of the tradition of Yom Haatzmaut is these big inflatable hammers which one walks around with to bop unsuspecting people on the head. I have no clue what the origin of this tradition is but it's good fun.

My roommate Esther from Germany.

Flag wrapped revelers at Safra Square.

Marnis and Gary putting on their best sad faces because of the demise of the hammer.

It was wonderful to spend my last Yom Haaztmaut (ok...maybe not my last...here's hoping I'll get to come back) with great friends from all over the world. Here we have New Zealand, South Africa, Germany and the US represented.