Herzlia, Israel 07/01/06

Herzlia, Israel is a small town 20 minutes north of Tel Aviv with a population of 73,000. Named after the father of Zionism, Theodore Herzl, Herzlia was founded in 1924 by pioneers. It is divided in two by the Tel Aviv-Haifa Highway. On the West side of the highway lies Herzlia Pituach. This side of the city kisses the Mediterranean Sea and it houses the many diplomat families and the more blessed Israeli families with its beautiful and large mansions. It has sandy beaches, sports facilities, and state-of-the-art marina, historical sites and many 5 star hotels. On the East side of the highway lies Herzlia City with its modern hi-tech industrial center surrounded by shopping malls and gourmet restaurants. It is then a tourist as well as a business hot spot. At its bossom is a small upscale village called Kfar Shmaryahu, which is where the American International School is found. This was my high school in the 1980's. My High School Reunion was being held partly because it was about time to have one and also because the building will be torn down and built somewhere else. This was the last opportunity for me to see it for the last time.