Israel – we are here.

We flew out of Tx on Friday night at 5 and made it to Toronto almost 40 minutes early. I guess the winds were good. Ashleigh was waiting for us and we headed to the lounge and immediately enjoyed a glass of wine together. We sat around just sharing family chat and were all grateful that Jim’s GM dealership had survived the big cut in Canada. Ashleigh shared how devastated they are for all of the
GM families they have been friends with throughout the past 30 years who are now without a livelihood. It made us all very pensive and empathetic. For Jim and Karen these are not just people to read about in the newspaper these are their friends and life has taken a drastic turn.
Our plane was right on time and we settled in to our seats. My seatmate was an incredibly intelligent man who has roamed the world working for External Affairs as an architect building Canadian embassies. He and his wife and children are on Ba ‘Hai pilgrimage to Haifa. The spent four years living in Israel contributing their talents to the construction of the terraced gardens of the Ba’Hai temple. To anyone who has never seen this wonder of the world – if you get the chance GO. It is an amazing building and the terraced gardens are one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.
Abe was chatting with a fellow who creates serious Canadian documentaries for the CBC so he had
Some interesting talks as well. Ashleigh had planned to spend the night sitting up watching her portable DVD player with a large set of films she had but her drink and a sleeping pill knocked her out for the night (although she swore she hardly slept)….Abe and I bet to differ. Anyone who can pull their hoodie up over their head, snuggle in to their massaging neck wrap, lower their seat back the ¼ inch of allowed space we all got, and then place her feet upon her tray and not move for 9 hours…well I think they are sleeping. We all skipped dinner and dozed off. Since our flight was 11 ½ hours long and when we woke up we only had 1 ½ hours left of flying time…it was delightful. The look on Ashleigh’s face when she asked the time was absolutely priceless…., gee, maybe I did sleep, she said.
Jack picked us up at the airport. Benj’s flight with Iberia had gotten in really early. He and Jack and David (cousin) all had coffee and two hours passed quickly as Benj sold them all idea on the idea of selling everything and moving to Spain. Next thing they knew we were there.
Our worry had been that Abe is supposed to enter Israel on his Israeli passport and he had not checked its expiry date. It expired LAST YEAR. A few beads of sweat had appeared on Abe’s forehead as he mulled this fact periodically on the way to the airport, on the flight, and up to the kiosk to speak to the immigration officer. She was NOT impressed. When she picked up the phone to make a couple phone calls we all thought Abe was going to be refused entry into the country even though he had a valid Canadian passport. After raking him over the coals for a while and treating him as if he was a bit of of idiot, she let us in. Our niece, Yael, has agreed to take him to the appropriate government office to do the renewal today…..he can’t LEAVE without a valid passport at this point. However, we are here and al is well.

We went for the big traditional meal at Abe’s parents – chicken, pasta, hummus pancakes (yes they can be done and they are great), and other vegetarian pancake things that Judy seemed to have invented that were delicious. We had just had BREAKFAST on the plane so we weren’t hungry but man did we eat as the food was so wonderful. As well she had prepared home made baklava and let us say we didn’t waste any of that either….you’d be a fool not to tuck into that. We chatted a bit and watched Ashleigh fall apart with terrible allergies, mine started to kick ink and Benj had the beginnings of his allergies as well. We begged off and were brought to our condo on the beach.
WOW is all I can say. It is gorgeous complete with bomb shelter…which we hope not to ever need. However, they are smart…the fridge is in the bomb shelter as well as all Abe’s and my clothing, extra sheets and towels and plenty of room….should (and I know it will not) anything every happen we can eat and hold a fashion show at the same time. Our windows overlook the gorgeous grounds below and the
Facility pool as well as look out over the marina and t he sea. Abe’s and my room has two walls of floor to ceiling windows and the sea air coming in during the night was fantastic. Benj and Ashleigh quickly shoved their beds to far corners of the room but no one is complaining as they got their own bathroom and lots of storage space. It would be a bit much to have a three bedroom apartment for four people so we will make do with this. Our living, kitchen and dining area is the largest Abe and I have shared since leaving Telluride on April 1 – we are in heaven. The air is great …it is about 80 degrees, no humidity and the top levels of all the windows (ceiling to just above waist height) open wide and we are flooded with dry sea air – is this heaven?
Jack and Judy loaded us up with fruit and I just ate something I don’t recognize – it looks like a nectarine but is pale green inside and was a perfect thirst quencher. We need to get to the grocery store to get some drinks and food and that is likely next on our agenda.
Tonight Smadar and Yael will come by so we can discuss Yael’s trip back to the U.S. with us. Here’s hoping flights are not crazily expensive. Thanks to Jan B. for sending a few books for Smadar. Between the two books I bought and the three Jan sent Smadar feels she has a complete English library. And to anyone who has not read the (not 100% sure of title) Incredible Vanishing Act of Esme (something or other)…get it…..it is a really good read.
Benj already went out with a bunch of Israeli kids for a beach barbecue somewhere. He had a great time and got in about 3 a.m. We all woke up for his homecoming. They seemed to give him directions as to where it is safe to go out at night (re bars)and told him people who go to the wrong place are crazy and deserve to get blown up – who knows howmuch of this is bravado (as in go to the wrong place in Canada and you’ll be definitely eaten by a grizzly after living in your igloo), however, I think we will take their word for it and do the smart thing.
Today is beach day. Off we go to find some food and drink and replenish our fridge. We are all excited to be hear. It is a beautiful country and we intend to have one hell of a good time. Hello to all. Benj and Ashleigh have agreed to do yoga with me one day so we will check out some locations with taught Ashtanga. It should be fun. Take care all.