Dinner in Tel Aviv

After arriving in Tel Aviv, I took the 4 towards HaCarmel Market.  My first stop was a yarn store to pick up some knitting needles, but hunger won out.  I wandered back into the food market until I realized I was being drawn towards a familiar smell.  The Kebab was delicious, and I inhaled a sandwich while chatting with the guy in the small stand.

With my hungers satiated, I returned to find the yarn store.  As I walked, I took a phone call, and as I chatted, and meandered aimlessly I stopped looking.  Then I suddenly found myself standing before the store - it certainly worked out nicely!  I found a nice yarn only to realize I had been looking at them while still on the phone, and with my attention diverted to the call, I hadn't realized my sunglasses were still on.  I removed the sunglasses, and selected another color now that I could see the actual color.

I continued to meander up Sheinken, and then headed down towards Dizengoff Center, and Hamelekh George street, or King George Street.  Nick called, and we agreed to meet for dinner.  I had come in as well originally hoping to meet up with some friends, but hadn't heard from them yet, and knew that they wouldn't be arriving in time for dinner.  Later learned that they decided not to come back until today (the day after).  As I walked across the street, a familiar looking smile caught me attention.  A girl sitting at the bus stop looked up at me, and we both had a moment before realizing we knew each other.  We spoke for a few minutes before the bus came, and then as she was getting on I mentioned a restaurant I was planning to go back to.  She suggested I go early because from 5 - 7, all the pasta dishes are 10 shekels, and the pasta is really good.  It was still early, so I called to give Nick the address, and then headed to a used book store for a while.  I ended up selecting The Firm by Grisham, and came back to put my name on the list so I could sit and read.  I ended up getting called, and decided to sit at the bar for a while, have a glass of cava and continue reading.  I also chatted with the two gentlemen next to me briefly about books, a nice change from my typical conversations which revolve around the fact that I am volunteer, I live in Ramla, etc.

It was getting close to seven, so I picked two pasta dishes and ordered for us.  Shortly after, Nick arrived, and we caught up over a glass of wine or two.  The plan had been to get together for at least one more crazy night like we had in Jerusalem.  After dinner, we headed to 70Poalim, the wine store I like on Bograshov.  We ended up deciding on a bottle of Finlandia for the evening, and headed down the street to purchase a juice to mix it with.

Sitting back on the same pier I had sat on a few nights prior, only this time, we had lounge chairs, we shared stories, laughed and continued to talk about things going on.  At some point, we finished the bottle and decided we were hungry.  Mike's Cafe was right behind us, and so we went there.  We ended up running into Aviva, who was amazing.  She made sure we were hydrated, and we ordered a calzone or pizza, so we had food in our stomach as well.

After that we went back to the Takanat Mercazit, the central bus station, and parted ways.  I hit the Sherut perfectly - I got on as the last person, and off we went.  I must have fallen asleep, but luckily Jonathan, my roommate, was also on the Sherut, and woke me up to get off.  It was then that we realized that I hadn't payed for the Sherut.  Surprising since usually the drivers are very good about getting money.  I suppose it makes up for the trip in, when someone tried to keep my change as it was passed back.

This morning I woke up bright and early, around seven.  Layed in bed, wrote an email or two, and then around 8:30, got up and went to Ulpan.  I think Jonathan was in shock seeing me up and about.  The night before I was not in great shape after having half of the Finlandia bottle.  I turned out to be the first one at Ulpan.  Like the day before, Jeff showed up as did Annie and Rachel.  The rest of those that came arrived an hour late.  Jonathan came only a few minutes late, which shocked us all.

I imagine that I will crash later today, and sleep quite peacefully tonight - which would be a pity, I am looking forward to catching up with friends this evening.  Hopefully a nap this afternoon will buy me some additional time.