This week we didnt do much. Mostly went to the beach and visited with Maors family.
Wed night Maors mom went to a wedding.
When she woke up Thurs morning she was in party planning mode. She decided that the small restaurant party we were going to have wasnt grand enough and went to check out a new location.
Later she walked in with a stack of invitations and a food list for Maor and I to pick from.
http://www.g-gil.com is the place its being held at.
The food is going to be much more diverse than anything I have ever seen at an american wedding. There is a constant buffet with food ranging from fruit to sushi. Then there are starters, appetizers, dinners, deserts, AND a cake. For the food that goes directly to the table we had to chose 3 of each for people to pick from. They range from my apparently bland choice of fish and chicken, to Maors favorites of cow tongue, goat veins, some kind of brains.
There is also an open bar, DJ, and photographer.
Im going to need a dress...and shoes..
Friday, April 1, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tel Aviv
Yesterday we went to Tel Aviv and Im sorry to say that I didnt enjoy it all that much because the cold I've been trying to ignore for the past few days finally took me out. I was a sneezing miserable mess.
We went to the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora at the University. Its a museum that covers the history and culture of jewish people. Its nice but I wouldnt call it a must see like my guide book did. The helpful walkthrough speaker that people who speak English can get only told me everything I already learned in Jewish class so I can only see it being helpful for someone who doesnt know anything about being Jewish. The museum was mostly made up of dioramas and mini movies.
We tried to go to the market but I really wasnt feeling it so we drove home.
Maor went out with some friends and I sampled the local cold medicine. Good stuff.
Today we did some errands for Maors mom, got the car washed, cleaned our room, and bought his mom a GPS even though shes been screaming that she doesnt want one for two days. She likes to just roll down her window and ask random people on the street as she drives by. She said, "Why do I need this! My mouth is my GPS!"
While I was waiting for Maor to get the yearly car test done (the same kind of tests they do for cars in MA) I got a chance to do a little drawing.
An observation about pigeons...
I may invest in a sling shot while Im here. They are like loud gray flying alarm clocks that dont have snooze or off buttons.
We went to the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora at the University. Its a museum that covers the history and culture of jewish people. Its nice but I wouldnt call it a must see like my guide book did. The helpful walkthrough speaker that people who speak English can get only told me everything I already learned in Jewish class so I can only see it being helpful for someone who doesnt know anything about being Jewish. The museum was mostly made up of dioramas and mini movies.
We tried to go to the market but I really wasnt feeling it so we drove home.
Maor went out with some friends and I sampled the local cold medicine. Good stuff.
Today we did some errands for Maors mom, got the car washed, cleaned our room, and bought his mom a GPS even though shes been screaming that she doesnt want one for two days. She likes to just roll down her window and ask random people on the street as she drives by. She said, "Why do I need this! My mouth is my GPS!"
While I was waiting for Maor to get the yearly car test done (the same kind of tests they do for cars in MA) I got a chance to do a little drawing.
An observation about pigeons...
I may invest in a sling shot while Im here. They are like loud gray flying alarm clocks that dont have snooze or off buttons.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Rosh Ha-Niqra
Today we met up with Maors aunt, uncle, and cousin on his moms side, his cousin Ronny, her 7 (?) yr old Dream, and three other younger cousins to go to Rosh Ha-Niqra.
Its located right on the boarder of Lebanon. The only thing separating the boarder was a big fence and two guys kinda keeping an eye on people. I dont think they were too worried about people trying to jump the fence.
We took a cable car down to the grottos. The cable car is the steepest one is the world. It does look like they are just going to drop you off the cliff when it starts. It didnt help that the kids reacted by screaming and jumping up and down which wiggled the car.
We took at lot of pictures of the view then went to watch a short movie about the grottos and how they were made over time by the waves hitting the cliff. The kids dragged me up to the front seat with them. Its a really short movie in Hebrew with English subtitles. They try to make it more interesting for the little kids by blowing massive fans at you during certain points and changing the lighting to go with the movie. When we got up to leave Maor and the two teenagers were soaked because they were sitting in the middle rows that get dowsed with water every time the waves hit the rocks in the movie.
After the movie we went through the grottos. It was really beautiful.
Later Maors mom had a small party for the season finally of Big Brother. Maors aunts asked me if I was going to be bored and were surprised to find out that I've been watching the whole season with Maor. Everyones favorite won.
Its located right on the boarder of Lebanon. The only thing separating the boarder was a big fence and two guys kinda keeping an eye on people. I dont think they were too worried about people trying to jump the fence.
We took a cable car down to the grottos. The cable car is the steepest one is the world. It does look like they are just going to drop you off the cliff when it starts. It didnt help that the kids reacted by screaming and jumping up and down which wiggled the car.
We took at lot of pictures of the view then went to watch a short movie about the grottos and how they were made over time by the waves hitting the cliff. The kids dragged me up to the front seat with them. Its a really short movie in Hebrew with English subtitles. They try to make it more interesting for the little kids by blowing massive fans at you during certain points and changing the lighting to go with the movie. When we got up to leave Maor and the two teenagers were soaked because they were sitting in the middle rows that get dowsed with water every time the waves hit the rocks in the movie.
After the movie we went through the grottos. It was really beautiful.
Later Maors mom had a small party for the season finally of Big Brother. Maors aunts asked me if I was going to be bored and were surprised to find out that I've been watching the whole season with Maor. Everyones favorite won.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Akko
Today is Friday so while we wanted to go out we couldnt go too far because just about the whole country closes at 4pm and doesnt open again till Sunday.
We went to the cemetery to visit Maors grandmas and one of his friends. Every grave has a place in the back of the stone where you put a memorial candle when you visit so we lit a candle at each one, said a few words, and each of us left a rock on the grave (so the person knows we were there). When we left Maor pointed out a funeral. There were about 7 men who were with the funeral group but didnt come into the cemetery. Maor explained that they are Kohen decedents so they cant go into a cemetery because its considered unholy. I cant remember the full story but basically if a Kohen decedent does anything unholy God wont ask them to do important stuff.
When you leave the cemetery there are large fountains right outside the gate that you need to wash your hands out to get the unholiness off. Actually you just put the water in a cup and then splash a little on each hand.
After we went to Akko and spent more time trying to find parking than actually driving there. Akko is well known for people concurring it. I think the only one that DIDNT take it over at one point was Napoleon. We hung out for a while in the area by the Pisen Harbor, took a lot of pictures, and went on a little boat ride that gives you a great view of area.
While we were walking around and Maor was reminiscing about how many times hes been to Akko and how he knows everything there is to see I noticed an open door and a sign that said "Templar Tunnel". I said, "Hey, whats this?"
He and his mom both looked in and said, "I have no idea. Never seen it before."
Its a tunnel built by the Templars in the second half of the 12th century to sneak from one end of the harbor to the other. I looked to see if their was more information on it besides what I read on the entrance walls and apparently the place doesnt get much traffic because its so easy to miss and it isnt even mentioned in my tourist book.
We also went to the Bazaar so we could pick up Hummus from Hummus Said. That one little hole in the wall was filled and had a cluster of people waiting to get in that blocked the whole street. They have the best hummas in all of Israel and the line is always there. We didnt have to wait long because Maors mom knew about seperate take-out window in the back.
I want to go back again because there are two other places I want to visit that we didnt get a chance to, the Museum of Underground Prisoners and the Turkish Bath.
We went to the cemetery to visit Maors grandmas and one of his friends. Every grave has a place in the back of the stone where you put a memorial candle when you visit so we lit a candle at each one, said a few words, and each of us left a rock on the grave (so the person knows we were there). When we left Maor pointed out a funeral. There were about 7 men who were with the funeral group but didnt come into the cemetery. Maor explained that they are Kohen decedents so they cant go into a cemetery because its considered unholy. I cant remember the full story but basically if a Kohen decedent does anything unholy God wont ask them to do important stuff.
When you leave the cemetery there are large fountains right outside the gate that you need to wash your hands out to get the unholiness off. Actually you just put the water in a cup and then splash a little on each hand.
After we went to Akko and spent more time trying to find parking than actually driving there. Akko is well known for people concurring it. I think the only one that DIDNT take it over at one point was Napoleon. We hung out for a while in the area by the Pisen Harbor, took a lot of pictures, and went on a little boat ride that gives you a great view of area.
While we were walking around and Maor was reminiscing about how many times hes been to Akko and how he knows everything there is to see I noticed an open door and a sign that said "Templar Tunnel". I said, "Hey, whats this?"
He and his mom both looked in and said, "I have no idea. Never seen it before."
Its a tunnel built by the Templars in the second half of the 12th century to sneak from one end of the harbor to the other. I looked to see if their was more information on it besides what I read on the entrance walls and apparently the place doesnt get much traffic because its so easy to miss and it isnt even mentioned in my tourist book.
We also went to the Bazaar so we could pick up Hummus from Hummus Said. That one little hole in the wall was filled and had a cluster of people waiting to get in that blocked the whole street. They have the best hummas in all of Israel and the line is always there. We didnt have to wait long because Maors mom knew about seperate take-out window in the back.
I want to go back again because there are two other places I want to visit that we didnt get a chance to, the Museum of Underground Prisoners and the Turkish Bath.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Im not dead
There was a bombing in Jerusalem today. Around 30 people were injured and one died.
I wasnt anywhere near it. Jerusalem is a 3 hour drive away so the bombing was kind of like hearing news in Madison WI that Chicago had a disaster.
Maor says its the first bombing in 3 years.
It doesnt change our trip. We arent going to leave early or completely avoid going to Jerusalem. We just might wait a week before we go there.
I wasnt anywhere near it. Jerusalem is a 3 hour drive away so the bombing was kind of like hearing news in Madison WI that Chicago had a disaster.
Maor says its the first bombing in 3 years.
It doesnt change our trip. We arent going to leave early or completely avoid going to Jerusalem. We just might wait a week before we go there.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
New observations
1) Here cookies are a must with coffee even if its 6AM. This needs to be adopted in the US.
2) Bourekas is awesome. I couldnt get anyone to actually describe it to me, all they said was, "Its awesome! You must try it!" Its a pastry you can fill with anything and it is my new favorite food.
3) Shuwowma is also awesome and should be adopted by the US immediately.
4) Taking a shower requires preparation. You have to push a button outside the bathroom that turns on the water heater on top of the house and let it warm up before you can jump in. I did not know that yesterday which explains why the water was so cold.
5) When Maors mom told me soldiers have to take their guns everywhere with them she wasnt just using a figure of speech, they really do. Maors cousin came over to visit with his gun which isnt small.
6) Its obvious to tourists that Israel promotes recycling. There are huge cages where people can throw their used bottles. What isnt as obvious is that the purpose of cages instead of bins is to protect the recycling from gangs that like to take it and profit off it.
2) Bourekas is awesome. I couldnt get anyone to actually describe it to me, all they said was, "Its awesome! You must try it!" Its a pastry you can fill with anything and it is my new favorite food.
3) Shuwowma is also awesome and should be adopted by the US immediately.
4) Taking a shower requires preparation. You have to push a button outside the bathroom that turns on the water heater on top of the house and let it warm up before you can jump in. I did not know that yesterday which explains why the water was so cold.
5) When Maors mom told me soldiers have to take their guns everywhere with them she wasnt just using a figure of speech, they really do. Maors cousin came over to visit with his gun which isnt small.
6) Its obvious to tourists that Israel promotes recycling. There are huge cages where people can throw their used bottles. What isnt as obvious is that the purpose of cages instead of bins is to protect the recycling from gangs that like to take it and profit off it.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Kiryot
Ok, now that Im awake I can tell where we are.
The area is called Kriyot and there are little suburbs with different names, like I think where we are now is called Kiryat Tatta (sp?)
Its 6:30am now. Maor and I went to bed super early last night.
Today we are going to wonder around the area. I looked up what the guide book what there is to do around here and it actually says, "Nothing."
The area is called Kriyot and there are little suburbs with different names, like I think where we are now is called Kiryat Tatta (sp?)
Its 6:30am now. Maor and I went to bed super early last night.
Today we are going to wonder around the area. I looked up what the guide book what there is to do around here and it actually says, "Nothing."
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