And the beat goes on

can't believe we are in our last couple of days here. The time has gone so quickly. It is so magical and paradoxical here. Last nite we went to a restaurant in Ramat Aviv -northern Tel Aviv for dinner with friends. the area is called Sun and Sea -the resturant is called Turqoise and is built up to look like the most expensive area of Miami Beach and I imagine this is where the Israeli's who aspire to be American wannabes hang out.. the nouveau riche and the beautiful. It was probably the most expensive restaurant I have been to and the least impressive .The food was mediocre at best and the service likewise. the most fun was watching the pretentious people parading back and forth. I prefer our hummus and homemade soup places. At least the food is good!!!!
looks like the clouds are rolling in It might rain later. Today we are going to stroll along the boardwalk and walk to Jaffa . we have a dinner with friends on their kibbutz near Natanya tonite
And tomorrow we all head home!!!!

And the fun just goes on and on

On the way to the kibbutz we stopped for coffee agai at Yakum at caffe Bouno. They have just the best coffee!!! Not only were there bicyclists there but also bikers-we dubbed them Jewish Hells Angels!! the place is hopping so I guess I am not the only one who loves this place!!! We arrived at the kibbutz and our friends had a lovely breakfast prepared for us. fresh vegetables and the most delicious cottage cheese among all the other fresh food. We also had the most delicious tea made with fresh herbs. Plans changed somewhat and we headed to RoshHanikra which is one of the most beautiful sights -among the many -In Israel .It is right on the border with Lebanon and looks over the Mediterranian which was a fantastic blue azure. There are fabulous grottos and we are actually at the border crossing.

Then headed to Akko and toured the crusader 's castles and had a wonderful early dinner in the shui and watched the sun set over the sea.Long drive back
sunday we met our friend 's for coffee at the North Port . it was Harold's birthday it's amazing that we are all just walking along together in Tel Aviv. We then walked to Neve Tzedek and met a friend of ours from last year at our favorite chicken rotisserie restaurant . Our friend used to own the restaurant . The food was as good as ever and we all pigged out on chicken and roasted potatoes and fresh cucumber and tomato salad . We crawled out of the restaurant and surprisingly found our way to Anita's for gelatin. the best gelatin in Tel Aviv and we have been to many places!!! A bit more walking and home to get ready for dinner to Segev Express with another friend. This is an upscale restaurant that we visited last year and it was superb. This year the food was not as remarkable -a disappointment . We all decided we should stick with the typical Israeli fare. We have never been disappointed in our street food!!!
yesterday we were up and out early and headed to Masada and the dead sea. First time we have seen so many tourists!!! Marsha and Jule braved the rocks to go into the dead sea and we all traipsed down Masada
met up with everyone at our favorite soup restaurant on Bograshov -more ice cream and home
today we are going to Independence hall ,hagganah museum and Baha'is museum and dinner on the sea!!The sun is shining and the breezes are warm. another beautiful day in paradise

Hike

Heading up north to kibbutz of the ghetto fighters and going on a hike and to Akko and Mayb Rosh Hanikra. Beautiful and sunny and it's a quiet Shabbat morning as we prepare to make our way out of the city

Memories

every year that we have come here we have knocked on the door of the apt Harold lived in here inBet Hakerem. And no one ever answered . This time we were lucky. An almost nude fat 36 year old guy reluctantly answered the door and let us in. Harold was transported back to another time And regaled this poor fellow with stories I am sure he never wanted to hear. But oh well -it was a great experience for Harold!!!!! After that we went to the super sol that he shopped at to get some groceries. the area has become very religious and any o e we asked for I for I formation refused to speak to us. Interesting experience. We took the new tram to the old city -fantastic new transportation mode and alleviates the hassle of traffic and fighting for a parking spot.Of course Iwas starving when we got to the old city and we bought a bagele from the man in front of the Jaffa Gate . I had always wanted to do that . it was delicious of course and he sells it with a delicious spice that you dip the pulled off pieces of bread into. Yummy. Spent time in the old city and at the Wall .
yesterday we picked up Bonnie and headed to Caeseria . On the way stopped at my favorite gas station called Yakum and they have the most incredible coffee shop there called Buono Cafe . We all got coffee drinks to go and were on our way again Caeseria is beautiful and it was very peaceful. Harold got Jule to climb the aqueduct !!! Then we headed over to the ruins. We saw many brides having their pictures taken there. At that point I decided I needed to eat again so Harold and Marsha continued to explore and Jule ,Bonnie and I sat down at cafe by the sea . We had hummus and grilled eggplant and pita . marsha and Harold got stuck in the rui s because they closed the gates and they had to climb over the ramparts to get out!!!!! last nite we had dinner with the Winnipegers and all met at an outdoor shwarma stand at Frishman and Dizengof . it was awesome Here we were in Tel Aviv having dinner with our childhood friends!!!! And of course then stopes for ice cream and walked along the beach .
Today Harold ran to the market and got fresh baked goods for breakfast and we are going to walk the streets and enjoy Tel Aviv as she prepares for Shabbat!!! The energy in the city grows and grows and the day progresses. Tonite is Dina's. birthday and we are all meeti g at a restaurant on the beach for a birthday party.

I love Israel

Have been so busy eating, visiting And touring that I haven't had a moment to write. Sitting in a cafe in Jerusalem waiting for our friends at who r at Yad Vashem Will start at the most recent and work back. Yesterday was the wedding And to say it wad amazing and exquisite is not to do it justice. It was called for 3:30 near Jerusalem so we left at 2:00 figuring that would give us plenty of time. Of course we didn't account for the massive traffic jam because of numerous accidents We finally arrived at 4:30 thinking we had missed the wedding -not so. An Israeli wedding time -which we didn't know-takes into account thar traffic. As a matter if fact the rabbi was stuck in the same traffic and she arrived after us. So in fact there is a pre party before and we were still there in time for drinks and appetizers. The bride and groom were there partying with everyone !!!!the ceremony took place on a terrace overlooking the valley. The trees were lit with flickering lights and it was sundown The groom wax so excited he literally danced down the aisle with his parents He was grinning from ear to ear lots of singing and participation during the ceremony. After the glass breaking and everyone shouting mazel tov the guest rushed to the couple before they could even walk back down the aisle amid many hugs and kisses and cheering. It was the happiest and most heartwarming thing I have ever seen The bride looked stunning in a simple lace gown and even tho she wasn't wearing a single piece of jewelry it seemed like she was sparkling with diamonds because she was glowing so much. After much dancing a delicious and copious buffet was served. Awesome Israeli band and a DJ who played European techno.
I will also try and remember other things we have done... The reversal dinner was Monday night at a restaurant cslled the rotisserie It wax just outside the New gate.
Unbelievable dinner. ... Many many courses. Started with an eggplant appetizer , mushroom brown rice risotto , sliced duck with cranberries, coquiles st Jacque , baby lamb chops, and stewed pears and mascarpone for dessert
After dinner we walked to the wall. The old city was deserted except for a few Haredim and it was truly magical. We were there t mist 2:00AMand didn't get home till the wee hours of The morning Thd next day we stayed close to home and explored Shenkin St , Carmel market and Neve tzedefk with a stop at at Dita for dinner and Anita's for gelatto.going to head to the old city today and mamilla mall
Ater

Shalom shalom!!!!

Well here we are in wonderful downtown Tel Aviv. the flight was good. Air France does a better job of meals on their flights than Delta. Arrived just around Shabbat so the airport wasn't that busy.. got our car with ease and we were "upgraded"to a ford focus And of course it's all relative but it feels like a huge car here-especially when you are driving down a very narrow street and there are parked cars on either side. Made to the apartment where we are staying by memory -yeah for me!!!!! Also very little traffic. the apartment-same p,ace we stayed last time has deteriorated"somewhat" and of course we couldn't reach the broker because he is religious . So today will be interesting.
the air conditioning was not working and I won't go on from there..... Some young boys were staying across the hall and they helped us get the air on at least one floor. very nice young, men who are here for a semester before they start college in January . they left today for 2 months on. Kibbutz and when Harold went out to get some baked goods from the market this morning they had left us a note and leaving some of their extra food and detergent -very sweet!!!!
Friday night we drove up to our Friend Rochie in Herzilyia and had Friday night dinner with her and her husband . She makes soup like no one else-and this time she made a sweet potato soup that was awesome!!!!She also gave us some supplies and we headed back very late -but that didn't stop us from taking a walk by the sea and in town at 12:30am -just in time to see all the kids lined up to get into the clubs.. many more things are open now on Shabbat than even 1 1/2 years ago.
yesterday morning we headed back to the airport and picked our friends from Winnipeg who are staying with us. We ran them ragged for the rest of the day .. took a glorious walk on the tayellit -board walk -along the sea to Jaffa. The weather is gorgeous .. We walked thru the old town and stopped for lunch -hummus and felafel at an Arab restaurant -it was delicious. Walked back -rested for a bit and went to a restaurant on Bograshov St for dinner about 9 ish Sat put side and watched the world go by. I had pea soup with chili in it!!! Harold had chicken schnitzel. can you feel me grinning in glee???????Walked along Dizengof and Ben Gurion sts and then got Gelatto on Ben Gurion. Finally home to bed .
Harold just came back from the market with bagelas and borekas Unfortunately our man -who was nasty as all get out and of course we loved him -was fired from pur bakery .so sad!!!!!
So I am going to eat and then we are off to Zichron Yaakov and the wine country and then tonite a dinner in Jerusalem at the rotisserie restaurant for the wedding !!!!

Getting confused

The days r starting to run into each other Yesterday we went to l' orangerie. An entire floor is given over to Monet 's water lillies in 3 rooms. Magnificent doesn't even begin to describe it It's like twirling in fantasy Also a new exhibit in the lower level of Spanish painters I am not familiar with them but have rarely been so overwhelmed and enjoyed s display as much Cound hardly drag myself away and wl have to really read up on these artists There was an early Dali find in hhe impressionist style -so odd for him.
We then headed to notre dame Stopped in the Latin quarter for lunch and hoovered an enormous gyro. Aldo saw the French in action a well dressed man just had to relieve himself against a wall in the middle of the street!!!
Walked home and harold unfortunately has a cold. So we just grabbed a cheese crepe on the street
Had to change rooms at the hotel there was a short in one of the light switches and it smelled like fire -of course they insisted nothing was wrong and still do but we had to get out of there. Today we walked down the champs élysées and arc de triomphe and saw the Eiffel tower. One of our favorite things to do is visit the car dealership on the champs. They show futuristic cars and were wonderful. And fun. Made our third trip to marais looking for a store I found the first day. Success!!! On our way to the hotel to pack. Leave tomorrow morning for tel aviv -yeah!!!!!