As I previously mentioned, getting to Israel felt like we had just left, kinda like hitting *PAUSE* on a videogame, then making lunch, checking some emails, watching some tv, leaving for six months, and then picking up the controller again. We battled jet lag by taking a nap, so we were fresh for the family reunion in the evening. Everyone from Limor's father's side came over, with the exception of Moti and Ariela who were still in Barcelona. We unloaded our smuggled goods, and they all seemed to like their presents.
4/17 Ceasar Coffee with Tal, Biennale in the evening (nothing there), Dr. Lek
Straight away, the first thing we had to do was see our friend Tal so we could give him his iPhone. He was practically begging us to come sooner so he could play with his new baby. His fortitude was put to the test, however, because he had to wait two additional days before his friend could unlock it. We also saw our first Prius in Israel, and since then we've been counting them (we're up to 28). Like everything else, they cost about 1.5x as much here as they do in the States, so they're not as common as they are in, say, Raleigh, where it's like every sixth car is a light-blue Prius.
In the evening, we went out to find the "Biennale Bat-Yam" celebration, which was supposed to be like a street art festival in line with the mayor's plan to rennovate and beautify the city. There were concerts all week, artists, sculptures, etc scattered around the city, but we misread the brochure and came out before anything started. So there was nothing there. To make up for it, we went out to Jaffa to get some ice cream at Dr. Lek's. And wonder of wonders, they had Itzik's favorite flavor -- malabi! Every time we go, he always tells me how wonderful it is, how it's the best taste in the history of the world, yada yada, but they are always out of it. He even ran into the guy that owns Dr. Lek's one day, who asked him what he thinks of the store. I'm sure the guy was expecting delighted reviews, but the first thing Itzik told him is "I'm very disappointed. You never have malabi." I guess he listened...
4/18 Batyamella at Tobego Beach, Evening at Ido's new apt in TLV, and Mina Tomei with Shultz crew
We "began" our day with a walk on the beach to see some of the festival. Not sure why, but this was called 'Batyamella'. They had some "local" or smaller bands performing (the one we saw had high-school groupies), random jugglers, and face-painting along where we walked. Itzik and I played frisbee while Aviva and Limor sat on the sand. I carry a frisbee with me whenever I travel, just, you know...in case, so I was dying to use it. Frisbee is not really popular here; in its place is 'mahtkoht' -- paddle-ball -- in which Israel is the European champion...yeah...
We probably napped or something when we got back, and in the evening we visited our friend Ido's new apartment in the heart of TLV. He studied in Beersheva "with" Limor, and like pretty much everybody else bolted as soon as he graduated. He's in a convenient location, as he lives a short walk from "Mina Tomei", a good Thai streetfood restaurant. So we went there with him, and our friends Adi and Aviad/Inbar (who introduced us to the restaurant). I ate some crazy appetizers and got a stomach ache (just like last time). Then we called it a day.
No comments:
Post a Comment