Friday, July 15, 2005
Day 50: Haifa, Jerusalem
July 15: Watched the Aussie girls unfortunately lose their soccer match to Israel 18-0, before heading with Ronnie Kessler (who is also in town for the Maccabiah) down to the train station. Caught the (very safe, fast and air conditioned) train to Tel Aviv, then I swapped and got a very scenic ride to Jerusalem. Taxis were hard to find on a Friday afternoon, but managed to get to Ben Yehudah Street by 5.30pm.
As expected (due to the sabbath) all shops were closed - except one! Managed to have a quick look inside and bought some really nice candlesticks.
Walking around there brought back a lot of memories from when I was in Israel in 1996 and 1994 with group programs, including the t-shirt shop, Underground nightclub, creperie next door, my favourite jewellery shop, but unfortunately "Apple Pizza" has closed down.
While wandering around also got to hear the siren which sounds throughout Jerusalem ten minutes before Shabbat comes in - at first I wasn't sure what it was... a great experience hearing it.
Had shabbat dinner at a family friend's house - Barbara Tsur (nee Kandy). Got to see some of the children for dinner (who are now all grown-up) including Tamar and her boyfriend and Erez. Nice seeing them and having a proper shabbat dinner in Israel!
Nava was at work but met up with me at my hotel later in the night, to briefly say hello.
Was offered to go out, but was too tired.
As expected (due to the sabbath) all shops were closed - except one! Managed to have a quick look inside and bought some really nice candlesticks.
Walking around there brought back a lot of memories from when I was in Israel in 1996 and 1994 with group programs, including the t-shirt shop, Underground nightclub, creperie next door, my favourite jewellery shop, but unfortunately "Apple Pizza" has closed down.
While wandering around also got to hear the siren which sounds throughout Jerusalem ten minutes before Shabbat comes in - at first I wasn't sure what it was... a great experience hearing it.
Had shabbat dinner at a family friend's house - Barbara Tsur (nee Kandy). Got to see some of the children for dinner (who are now all grown-up) including Tamar and her boyfriend and Erez. Nice seeing them and having a proper shabbat dinner in Israel!
Nava was at work but met up with me at my hotel later in the night, to briefly say hello.
Was offered to go out, but was too tired.
# posted by mishij @ 12:36 PM 
