Orchid Hotel, Free international Calls, Dinner with Yael and clubbing in the Amal

I woke up a little out of it Friday morning from the night before.  I had gone with Rachel to her boyfriend Adam's birthday, the bar had an all you can drink special for 50 shekels.  I was still feeling the affects the following morning.  Afterwards, I had headed to Mikes place for a bit - but after drinking a lot of water, I went out to the beach, and took a lounge chair out to the pier so I could look at the stars and close my eyes before heading back on the sherut.

Headed in after lunch to Tel Aviv with plans to sit on the beach - the volleyball nets were taken down because of the pride parade.  The beach was very hot and very windy.  I decided a further burn after my already peeling skin from the art project when I didn't put on enough suntan lotion was a bad idea, and windy and sand are never good either.  I decided instead to enjoy the beach while removed from the beach, and sat in the Orchid hotel lobby.  It was beautiful, comfortable chairs flanked glass tables with more reading should I have finished, and floor to ceiling windows let me look up at the Mediterranean every few minutes from my reading - The Namesake.

After a few hours, I needed to stretch, and change.  So I walked through a hotel for a bit, discovering an amazing gym (where I was able to change from my bathing suit) and phone for free international calls.  I picked up, there was a dial tone, so I called my dad.  For the first time in a while, I could actually hear our conversation.  I discussed my plans and alternatives I was weighing as I figured out how I am going to get to the airport on July 6th for my trip to Hong Kong.

I headed over to Dashiell's hotel, where him and his friends were hanging out.  We talked, and I showed Dashiell what he needed to carry on instead of checking from my luggage.  A bit after I headed out to meet up with Yael.  When I got to her apartment, I had the opportunity to meet her roommate who is very nice.  We spoke for a few minutes while Yael got ready, and then the two of us went for Japanese.  Dinner was excellent, our ordering a combination of Ivrit (Hebrew) and English.  Afterwards, we strolled up to the port, where we easily got into the club Gallina and had a drink while we waited for the dance floor to fill up.

Waiting to go in, I saw a friend - Maya - from the BFL program.  She said she was going to a party, and I remembered that Aviva was going to a party here as well.  Small world, same party.  I didn't see Maya again, but did see Aviva for a moment and said hi.

We danced, or attempted to, for a while - but the club was packed with people, and eventually left, and walked along the port.  Yael pointed out her family's favorite restaurants along the pier, and we stopped for Ice Cream.  I had left a bag at her apartment, so we stopped back for me to grab it, and she drove me up to the bus station where I found Judita and Tonya already on a Sherut.

There was talk of lunch today perhaps, we will have to see what happens - it was rather late when we got home.  Dinner last time by her parents was a wonderful treat, her parents incredibly welcoming and the meal amazing.

Dashiell and me in Jerusalem

After sleeping in a bit, I wandered through Jerusalem for most of the afternoon.  I had a few small errands to run, and then I meandered the streets.  I found my favorite place to sit, above the shuq.  I know now if I go to Habad 1, I can get up to the roof.

I decided to put on Tefillin, and ended up talking for about an hour with a young chabbadnik from the states.  His friend joined into the conversation, and we realized we had some mutual friends in the chabad community back at home.

At around 4:30, Dashiell's group arrived.  I spent some time explaining about the western wall, and how large the temple mount is.  Then we went and took a picture together, and Dashiell left a note.  Afterwards, I showed him the glass area where you can see the bottom of the wall, and really understand how high it used to be.

Above, Dashiell and I take a picture at the Kotel.

I ended up hopping on the bus, and talking with a woman who knew Yael.  I never got her name though.  I hung out with Dashiell in the lobby, found him a place to stay (with Leslie at the Dizengoff residences), and had dinner with the group.  It was actually quite tasty.  At some point in the evening, I received a phone call and was recruited for an art project tomorrow morning in Tel Aviv.  Should be very interesting.

































I wanted to take a picture of this sign at the entrance to the temple mount, but there was an open gate blocking it, so since it was closed this afternoon, I was able to today.

Two Days in Tel Aviv

Yesterday, I headed in early to Tel Aviv.  MASA had come to speak with us regarding the program, and to give us questionnaires.  I went early, and finished early.  I had my stuff, so I set out for the city early.

Volleyball was good, Xan and I played well.

We were also taken advantage of by the Israeli's who would just kick us off the court at will.  It happened twice.  I already got in argument last week with the woman who runs a for profit volleyball clinic on the city nets, not allowing others to play.  There is this idea that if you come at 12, hang your shirt on the net, or something, then you can come back at any time to claim the court.  It's unreasonable and only impedes play.

Afterwards, I met up with Louis.  We went to the club Vista - the same club that I went to with Dashiell's group.

A glass of cava and I was ready to leave.  It was surprisingly cold in Tel Aviv last night.

We went back to the hotel where Louis offered for me to stay in his room, the people he was sharing with announced earlier they would sleep elsewhere.  We chatted for a bit, and then fell asleep.  Apparently there was a conversation this morning, but I have no recollection.  I woke up to an empty room, no Louis, no luggage.  It was rather disconcerting, the emptiness - you almost doubt the other person was even there for a moment.  I hope I never do that to anyone!

It wasn't complete though, he accidentally left travel documents which I am bringing with me on my trip to Jerusalem tomorrow.

I received a surprise message from Aviva that our friend Yelizaveta is in Tel Aviv.  We spoke, and agreed to meet today (Tuesday).

I met up with Louis at Nahalit Binyamina, after meeting him at the beach (I wasn't able to join the bus), which is the art shuq.  We had a light bite to eat, talked more, and then I excused myself to go join Aviva and Yelizaveta for lunch.  We had an amazing time.  Unfortunately, Aviva had to duck out for class early.

We decided to go to the beach, where we swam in the waves and lay on the beach catching up from the past five years.  It was a lovely way to spend my day and awesome to catch up.  They invited me clubbing tonight, but I decided after games with Xan, Katie and Rachelle that I was exhausted (There was also another friend, Sean, who joined us for dessert and wine).

On the way back, the Sherut driver and I started talking.  After about 40 minutes of chatting, we arrived at the conclusion that we both love Couscous.  Thus, I have a saturday invitation for dinner now at his house in Ramla.  We shall see if that happens.

Jerusalem tomorrow I think.

Home.  Exhausted.  Time for sleep.

Patience always wins*

*Obviously, there are instances where this doesn't work

When I arrived, one other was waiting for the sherut.  Another arrived shortly after.  We sat for a while, the driver asking us to make offers.

14 shekels I replied each time.

Don't you want to get home the others would ask?

Not particularly, I can sleep in tomorrow.  I am in no rush, and 14 is what I budgeted to get home.  I refused to budge.

Eventually enough people showed up.  It was now 4:00 in the morning.  Everyone else decided they would pay more, I refused, paying only the listed rate.  The driver at this point knew I would win this patience game, and gave in.

Patience won out.

Arrived to some disconcerting news regarding my next adventure, apparently I was misinformed regarding visas for syria, which may prove to be a problem.  I am working on my options and a viable solution, though nothing has emerged yet.

Spent the day here, with only a brief sojourn to the store to exchange a package of biscuits I didn't realize were already opened when I bought them.  Also bought some veggies and a few other small things to sustain myself for the week.

No plans for the evening yet, but I don't feel like spending money.  That I am sure of.