Eric got up early and ran with Paul. Not the kind of running he is used to at home (flat). They ran around the hills, up and down and around. After eating the cubana bread that had cooked all night, we drove to Ein Gedi. It was a very hot day. We hiked up to the waterfall, and it was absolutely beautiful. We took a swim and it was so refreshing. We hiked back to the entrance and ate a lunch that Etty and Paul brought. We got back to the house and we had to wait until Shabbat was over to head back to Tel Aviv (the car we had borrowed didn't have insurance for Shabbat, since they never drive it on Shabbat). Paul barbecued for us again and then we drove out to a beautiful overlook to watch the sun set. Etty led us in a meditation and it was an amazing experience to be in that particular spot looking out over the desert. It has to be one of the quietest places on earth.
Headed back to Tel Aviv, and truthfully, I felt like I was in a palace! It was great to be out of the desert and back to the air conditioning, comfortable bed, etc etc.
Our last day in Tel Aviv started with the usual delicious breakfast (which I will be dreaming about when I am back to my 1/4 cup of oatmeal). We drove over to Yoav's wine store and ordered a case of wine, then went to Jaffa and met Yona and Yossi at Abu Hassan for hummus, etc. Interesting to see that the ultra orthodox were coming in by the busload, again, for another protest.
We walked into town, and ate our last Israeli street food and we are all so full we don't want to see food again for a long time.
Rick Fox came to the airport today to visit us. He saw on my Facebook that we were in Israel and sent me a message wondering why we didn't contact him! We had a nice visit. He is not happy living in Israel, and wishes very badly that he had moved back to the US years ago.
It has been a wonderful trip. Israel is an amazing country. But, there is nothing like home and it will be nice to get back.

Walked in the old city of Jerusalem this morning, including the Arab section, which made all of us a bit nervous (especially Margot). Amazing how you take one step out of the Jewish area and you are all of a sudden rubbing elbows with the enemy.
After seeing the wall one last time (from a distance), we checked out of the hotel and headed to Arad, where Paul (Margot's brother) and his wife, Ettie, live, with their 3 kids. The drive was so interesting; miles of dessert and then all of sudden there are palm trees, banana trees, etc. They live in a town that is about 30 kilometers south of Massada. From their backyard, you can see the west bank. I cannot imagine living here, but I am very spoiled with all of our conveniences. Paul barbecued a delicious dinner of shish kabobs, other meats, corn, potatoes, onions, etc. He uses charcoal that he buys from the Bedouins. We enjoyed an evening of much wine and food, smoking hookah, and of course, Arok for dessert. Although the day was so hot, it cooled off nicely this evening and we ate outside and sat and talked for hours.
Their daugher, Noga, is expecting a baby boy soon. Their son, Or, is in the army. He and David are sleeping outside at the dead sea tonight. Their other son is done with the army and is in school.
Tomorrow we go to Ein Gedi. Ettie is baking a special bread tonight that she made, and it is in a pot in the oven cooking all night. It smells delicious.

Started out with our typical breakfast then took off for Jerusalem. Mike did a great job of driving. After checking into the hotel, we went to the Western Wall. It was a perfect day to be there because it is Thursday, and there were dozens of bar mitzvahs. Margot and I made our way to the wall, and then we stood on a chair and watched the action on the men's side.
We went directly to the Knesset for a wonderful tour that Margot had arranged through the Jewish agency.
We went to Ben Yehuda and ate shwarma, shnitzel and bought kippot, then walked through the shuk. Fascinating ! Meat, bread, spices, olives, baked goods, etc etc and many orthodox jews. I couldn't stop taking pictures.
Relaxing tonight in the business lounge with the Benstocks. They are giving us a headache yet, in fact we are really enjoying eachother's company.

Had a great day ...

Eric and I walked to Jaffa and back; about 4 miles each way. The walk along the beach is beautiful. Yona told us we had to eat at Abu Hassan for hummus, and the first place we stopped for water, the man told us that Abu Hassan has the best hummus in the world. And they did. A tiny place, and we sat with others and they just brought us out pita, hummus, foule (beans) and soda and it was delicious. We walked around Jaffa and we came upon a huge group of Chassids, inside a barrier, surrounded by security. They were praying and it was obvious they were also protesting something. Very interesting .

Tonight we had dinner at the port at a delicious restaurant outside with Yona. A nice breeze and a beautiful sunset.

Tomorrow early morning we head to Jerusalem.

After our traditional breakfast, took off for Zichron Ya'akov, a lovely, quaint little town about an hour northeast of Tel Aviv. It is a cute art community with boutiques and restaurants. We walked around, ate lunch outside (shakshuka, which is a tomato based sauce, with a poached egg in it; delicious especially with home made bread to dip). We found a tiny shop where the husband, wife and son make beautiful papers (lamps, placemats, books, etc.) And bought gifts. Also, bought some delicious spices to use in rice and salads in a little shop.

Came back to Tel Aviv and walked to the outside market, which was so much fun. Lots of artists selling jewelry and crafts. Took our time returning to the hotel and had fun watching Margot search for the perfect chocolate rugelach!

Tonight we had dinner in Ra'anana with Margot's cousin, Margolite and her husand, Yonkala. He was a sargeant in the Israeli army for many years, and is highly respected. He bought a small piece of land in what used to be orange groves many years ago; a developer bought it from them to build fancy condos, and in exchange, game them the penthouse. It is really beautiful; we ate outside and they have a lovely view, which on a clear day they can see the city and west bank. Margelite made a delicious dairy dinner. Their daughter in law told me that her niece was killed in the Passover bombing which occurred in Israel.
Eric and I took a long walk on the beachwalk after we got back tonight.

Started with our typical wonderful Israel breakfast of salads, olives, fresh breads, chocolate rugelach, etc. Walked to the shuk and had fun looking at all of the spices, foods, smells, people, etc. Went to the yemen quarter where we had lunch at Shimon's, an old hang out of Mike's. All they serve is soup, so guess what we had? We were the only American's there. Came back and swam and napped. Went to a wonderful steak restaurant for dinner - had a huge spread of Israeli salads, steak, liver, lamb etc etc.

That's all for now!

Yesterday we enjoyed a relaxing Shabbat on the beach in Tel Aviv. Hundreds of young people. The funniest thing was that Eric wore a Gator shirt, and a young girl said "Go Gators." We started talking to her (Becca Leibowitz) and it turns out that she goes to UF (She's at Hebrew U now) and Josh took her to a dance. Before we got back to the hotel, she had already posted it on her Facebook and Josh knew!

We picked up Jossie, Efrat and kids (and Yona and David) and went to Sushi Samba for dinner; ate outside. A beautiful evening.

Today, we woke very early, had the most amazing breakfast and got on a bus that Mike had rented and took off for the Upper Galilee, with Yossie, Yona and a friend, Yohav and his wife, Orit(the owners of the wine store). We drove for over an hour, stopped at a lovely JNF park, and Yohav and Orit set up a picnic of champagne, bread, cheese, and chocolate rugelach that Margot stole from the hotel. Then ended up at a lovely winery that will produce about 1 million bottles of wine this year. Also tasted delicious chocolate, caramel, etc. dessert wines and bought 3 bottles to take home. We then went for lunch; they brought out course after course: eggplant, moussaka, grape leaves, hummus, tahini, barley and lentils, tomatoe salad with mint, peppers, pita, filled pasta, zucchini filled with beef, coffee, baklava. This restaurant is owned by Christian Lebanese , near Tiberias.

We then headed towards Haifa and visited a couple other small wineries. Never thought we'd ever want to eat or drink again...but we enjoyed vodka and watched the sun set and walked into town and ate shwarma. Ran into David and Yona.

There are 300 wineries in Israel but Israelis don't drink much wine, so that's a problem for the wineries (1.7 liters per person per year compared with 70 liters per person in Italy).

Also of interest is that Yossie's house cost close to $1 MILLION dollars; it is an ok house (By American standards). Our house here would be worth a fortune. My conclusion is that we have the best standard of life. No place is perfect, but we are blessed for sure.

Israel with the Benstocks July 2010

After a wonderful flight (Mike took the upgrade to business class and Margot, Eric and I sat with the commonors) we arrived in Tel Aviv and took a taxi to our hotel, which is right on the beach. Showered and walked to a wonderful restaurant (La Terrasse) sat outside and ate hummus, tahini, chicken livers, steak, pita, etc etc and three bottles of wine. It was Leila Lavan (white night) in Tel Aviv and there were hundreds of young people walking around, on the beach, eating, drinking, etc. Outside our hotel there were many people dancing.

Today, we started by taking a long walk on the beachwalk, enjoyed a delicious Israeli breakfast, and drove to visit Margot's sister and Mother about 30 minutes outside Tel Aviv. Margot's sister, Kierstin, has 14 grandchildren, and few were there. She served us fresh chocolate rugelach and coffee. From there we went to see Yona at the nursery where she works. From there we drove to see Yossie, (Mike lived with Yossie's parents when he first moved to Israel). Yossie and his wife, Efrat and three children, have a nice home. We walked a few blocks to a quaint wine store, owned by Mike's friend Yoav. We drank wine, ate falafel and talked.
Had Shabbat dinner at Yossie's house; sat outside and it was a lovely evening. Efrat cooked a delicious meal of salad with figs, salmon, pasta, potatoes. Desserts were a plum kuchen, apple strudel and something chocolate.
Now back at hotel, sitting on balcony sipping limoncello.

Omi, Debbie and Judy do Las Vegas

The three of us had a blast together. What a blessing it was to be able to go on a trip like this. We had so much fun...thunder down under (don't ask), lunch at Bellagio and at Mon Ami Gabi, waking up at 3 a.m. by mistake (my mistake) and just enjoying eachother's company.

Jacob's breakfast menu

Jacob's last day of high school tomorrow, and his final "special" breakfast. Monday french toast, Tuesday buttermilk pancakes, Wednesday fried eggs and toast, Thursday buttermilk pancakes, Friday...well at exactly 5:50 a.m. tomorrow I will be given the order. Josh finished his Junior year at UF, and came home tonight. It was steak for dinner, in his honor. Guess it's true that the way to a man's (and especially my sons) heart is through his stomach!

Lasts

This will be a week of lasts - Jacob's last week of high school classes; Josh's last exam for his junior year of college. Jacob reminded me that during Josh's last week of high school, I made him a "special" breakfast every morning. So, tomorrow morning it's french toast for Jacob.

Last night we drove to Gainesville to see Josh inducted into Florida Blue Key. A huge honor and a wonderful accomplishment for him.

My first Blog posting

Today is my very first posting. Pretty soon I will be entering into a new phase of my life - that of an empty nester, as Jacob will be joining the Gator Nation, along with big bro Josh.

As they say, when one door closes, another opens. I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to begin something new...a blog!

So, here we go into the next chapter of our lives. I will keep you posted!