Sort of a bust in Jerusalem

I went into Jerusalem to have lunch with Margalit Friedman at 12:00.  I arrived around 11:00 and decided that I had time to zoom up to the shuk and get more oven-roasted peanuts.  Sounds like a fine plan.  But I couldn't find the vendor (of course).  I finally settled for another nut vendor with an oven.

Back to the light rail, back to the bus station, and JUST missed a #132 bus. No problem, right?  But it's now 11:50 (how did that happen?).  I texted to her know that I was at least in Jerusalem. Tick, tick, tick.  Finally another bus at 12:29.  Fine, arrive in Givat Zeev at the correct stop.  Walked to the right building, walked down four flights of stairs.  Ok. I knock, and knock again.  And again (yes, there was music on inside).  I text.  I knock.  Finally the door opens, and Rabbi Friedman was unexpectedly home, too.

We had a lovely lunch and visit.  I left around 4:00, caught a #131 back to Jerusalem, and grabbed a #18 bus to go to a gallery.  I find the gallery, but it's closed (supposed to be open until 8:00).  I call the number on the door at 5:20 hoping they'll be back in a few minutes.  But no.  (Sigh)  So I headed back to Tel Aviv.

BTW, we had a duststorm day.  I thought it was cloudy, but Margalit told me about the dust.  It wasn't profound but kinda low visibility.

Shabbat/Shavuot report

I decided to up my religious game on this trip and find somewhere to go for services.  My plan was to attend a Chabad synagogue near my old apartment, but then I walked past a closer one on my way back from the grocery store.  So I attended Chabad by the Coast on Saturday morning.  It's a classic orthodox synagogue with the women sequestered, but there was a lovely respect of the women's section that I haven't seen before: 1. The man processing the Torah brought it over to the edge of the women's section for women to touch, and 2. when they took prayer requests, they specifically asked us for concerns.  Very nice.  Of course we were quiet but other synagogues which I've attended completely ignored us.  It was nice being respected.

Now, I personally was ignored (really, the tall lady looks familiar?), but I can (incredulously) live with that.  You would be proud - I tracked really well with the service.

They had an all-night Tikkun, but I didn't participate.  I went back Sunday morning for the Shavuot shakrit service and the reading of the Ten Words.  I didn't get the "wear white" memo, but I wasn't the only one in colored clothes. Again ignored but respected.

As for the home stand, it was nice being in a real apartment and having lots of dishes.  I had a sink full by Sunday night, but I didn't have to do dishes on Shabbat/Shavuot.  They're washed now.

Shabbat prep

Friday morning I got up and about to meet some friends in Jerusalem.  Upon arrival in Jerusalem, I loaded my transit card, got on the light rail and headed to Mahane Yehuda (the shuk in Jerusalem).  The shopping list was more eclectic:  stuffed grape leaves, limonana macarons, whole-wheat challah, and the elusive (not really elusive) peanuts and apricots.  A few of the nut sellers there roast their nuts on site, so I walked around looking for ovens.  The nut sellers usually have dried fruit so I got the apricots, too.

I used the return trip that worked so well last year and was home by 2:30.  I just needed to make Israeli salad, take out the trash, and do a load of laundry.  BTW, it was 107° when I got back to Tel Aviv.  That's hot.

I think I'm ready now.  Shabbat shalom and Chag Sameach!

Shopping and recovering

Today was a food shopping day, because tomorrow evening is Shabbat and Saturday night thru sundown Sunday is Shavuot (also known as Pentacost Sunday).  There will no buses and the shuk and many places will be closed.  So planning is key.  I made a shopping lists and got to the shuk before the tourists. I acquired eggs, scallions, parsley, lemons, broccoli, cauliflower, olives and olive oil.  I had a smooth transaction with the dairy man because I know the name of the cheese now.  Got some butter too (why is Israeli butter so good?)  No external-list shopping because I have to carry it home.

I punted on the peanuts and apricots because of weight.  With these items put away, I headed up to the kosher grocery store.  Again, be aware of the weight.

Of course, I felt kinda crappy, but that's par for the course.  By the late afternoon I felt like myself.

Illanit's AirBnB apartment

So past readers have heard about the stairs at the train station (four flights to come up on the right side of the street).  I did it one more time.  Definitely an aerobic endeavor.  I caught a 204 bus and reloaded my bus card.  I got off at the Carmel shuk (familiar ground) and walked up King George.  There's a little park that the apartment is near, but I thought Hamelitz Street would be right after it.  Mind you I've got the whole suitcase thing.  Wandered around.  Finally consulted my GPS.  It wanted to take me through the park. Ok, let's see.  Ah, the problem was that Hamelitz is parallel to King George.  Found the building.

Her description of which apartment was so-so.  So I got to meet one of the neighbors: he was very nice and gracious. Anyway I found the second floor apartment with the welcome sign (not a big sign, though), and in Israel, the first floor is zero.  Ta-ta, I'm in and it's not dark (wandering the streets was a concern).

Real kitchen, gas range top.  No hot plate for me! And a normal refrigerator!

And there's a washing machine - no need for laundry in the sink.

Today is Thursday, and that means grocery shopping.  I'm not as close to the shuk as before so I will have to be economical with my shopping. And probably nap some , too.

Embarking -part deux

Well, the flight from Kansas City was delayed in the air because of a storm.  We circled over Rochester (!) for a while, and landed in LaGuardia about 45 minutes late. That was no problem.  So I collected my suitcase and looked for my shuttle.  Hmm.  Where are they?  I called the number and some other company was handling it (which I had seen), but I checked their website and they no longer list the JFK-LaGuardia shuttle.  This is not good. Of course I can always take a cab.  So I go over to the Golden Touch bus, and they'll honor my ticket, but I have to go into Manhattan and come back.  What the heck.
Now the storm has arrived and it's....rush hour.  We take the Midtown Tunnel to 37th St, to Madison Avenue north to Grand Central Station.  We disembark.  In the rain.

I get on a new shuttle (with other people), but it's still raining and it's still rush hour.  Our driver bailed onto Queens Boulevard. I saw the Rego Park synagogue and lots of kosher restaurants.  I finally arrived at JFK at 1730. 

My El Al interview involved my Hebrew lessons, he asked me to speak in Hebrew but I couldn't think of what to say.  

So TSA is TSA.  But my carry-on stuff got flagged for a special inspection.  My Kindle Fire got flagged as a laptop.  "I should have known better."  Well, it didn't get flagged in Kansas City.  The flight is at 2330.   I'm fine. The next post will be from Israel.  Lila tov (Good night).

Embarking

I know it's not big news that I'm in the Kansas City airport, but I am right now a free agent seeking a new opportunity.  And pursuant to my trip home last year, I am dressed in a long, comfy skirt for the journey.  Not quite this image, but I'm definitely not in dumpy cargo pants.