A new israeli adventure

Driving into Ben Gurion Airport with more than 40 of my newest friends and acquaintances last night was a bittersweet moment.  It marked the end of a whirlwind adventure, my second Taglit (Birthright) trip through Israel, although this time as a staff.

It was both fascinating and exciting to redo the trip I recall so fondly from my youth - we visited many of the same sites, and so I was able to see how the political landscape has changed and also how birthright has changed.  Gone are the days where it was 10 days of mayhem, bring in the new era of responsibility.

As the last of them checked in, Dorit (my co-staff) and I made our way to the train.

Drat!

We missed it by a few moments, coffee and a change of plans, Dorit went to meet a friend and I headed back to Tel Aviv on my own. 

I guess I wasn't aware how close it was, since I was supposed to get off on the first stop.  But after running into friends on the train, I ended up over shooting quite a bit.  I debated a taxi, and instead waited 1 hour for the southbound train to correct this mistake.

Then, i ended up walking back from the station anyway, and arrived just a few minutes back at the hotel where I was sharing a room with Dorit (the same hotel that we had ended birthright at).  We both promptly fell asleep, awaking this morning early, and not nearly refreshed.  Dorit left for a talk (I would have loved to have gone, but it was being given in Hebrew) so I slept in, and looked for a hotel and wrote some emails.

When Dorit returned, we found me a hotel, and I headed there.  Dorit tagged along, then left - staying with family elsewhere this evening.  Leslie, the woman at the front desk helped me find my way.

My room is a small suite, complete with kitchen and refrigerator - very very very nice.  (Thank you Dorit!).  I left my luggage and headed out towards Neva Zedek.  What I love about Israel is the people.  I stopped for a croissant (it was amazing, warm and with some kind of almond inside, enough filling to really enjoy) and asked for directions.  The lady in the bakery made sure I got to the right place, and even came out to correct my mistake of standing at the wrong bus stop.

I arrived a few minutes later in what I would call the new york style west village of Tel Aviv.  After meandering for a few minutes, I settled on a nice little outdoor cafe - Suzana (www.rest.co.il/suzana) - where I had a 1/2 Tuborg, a salad that was so fresh, it literally continued to grow on my plate, and a small hot loaf of bread straight from the oven that was divine.

I spent my time reading there, then continued to walk the area, peering into shops and exploring as I went.  An orthodox gentleman asked if I would join a minyan, but I declined - I was still getting my bearings.  That was a mistake, it would have been a good opportunity to meet new people.  I think my new rule for Israel will be not to say "no" to new experiences.

I walked back along the beach, watching surfers and children play.  Stopping at the Kind David Continental, I asked the concierge about Hamam.  It's very expensive here.  I meandered into the basement where a conference was going on.  I decided to attend.  At first, I started to leave, taking a goodie bag when it was offered.  Then remembering my new mantra, no "no", I came back down.  By the second station, it was a tasting for some kind of soft drink, I was surrounded by three security guards, and promptly removed from the conference (and they took back the nice computer bag which would have been sweet for me to use here!) forcefully.  I debated returning, but chose to enjoy some of the weather while it was still beautiful out.

Back at the hotel, a nap seemed like a good idea.  I was out before my head hit the pillow.  When I awoke, I was hungry, so I headed to Aroma cafe around the corner.  A salmon sandwich to go, and a goldstar from the market next door and some ferrero rocher.

Dorit emails - she's far outside of Tel Aviv proper, and won't be around this week.  I decide to stay in and be well rested, update my blog.

That's all.  Except for the strange white circle bruise that is on my knee that developed this afternoon.  I don't remember hitting anything, but maybe I banged it a little while carrying my luggage.