I’m A Chump

So, I had hoped that my next post would be from my desk in Brooklyn. Those who know me well know that I am insanely nervous about being on time to catch trains, planes etc. Imagine my horror at having missed my flight.

I didn’t miss it exactly. Rather I arrived horrendously late, found the check-in desk closed and failed at convincing security to let me through to the gate.

The reason? Well, let’s just say I took a train 10 minutes on the wrong line and 10 minutes here and there added up to being nearly an hour late to the airport. The next plane leaves at midnight so now I have 9 hours to kill before boarding time. (Given I actually get on that plane which I sincerely hope I do.)

Seen from the bright side there is free wireless at the airport. Far better reception than at “home” so at least I can show you some of the photos I took in the last couple of days. Couldn’t upload those back in the apartment.

OK, if any of you read this during the day send me a prayer or whatever that I make it home by Monday morning.

Day Trip to Haifa

Sometimes it takes leaving a place to gain some perspective on it. Tel Aviv is fine. Yet, after visiting Haifa today I understand why people here like to complain of the lack of a sea breeze and natural beauty.

Our day trip Haifa high-lighted what a homogenous city Tel Aviv is. Haifa has a fairly large Arab-Israeli population, alongside the Jewish one. There also seems to be more religious variety within ethnic groups and religions in Haifa, judging from my very hasty observation. In Tel Aviv I haven’t seen many religious Jews and even fewer Muslims. In Haifa there were quite a few women in hijab, as well as Carmelite nuns and visible signs of Christian Arab religion. In all I found it somewhat easier to breathe in Haifa.

Also, insane amount of soliders on the train to and from Haifa. I suppose that is just the way things are in this country. I have to say, I am too much of a softy European/ New Yorker to be at ease when there is an Uzi in the seat next to mine.

We could see Lebanon from Mt. Carmel. I wonder how long it would take to go from Tel Aviv to Beirut by train if such a thing was possible. (It isn’t.) Two hours? One, on a high-speed train? That would be neat.

Remains of our Lunch in Wadi Nisnas

The owner; photo taken on the sly.

Quite possibly the best coffee I’ve had in my life. And I know from coffee.

We wen’t to the top.

And looked down.

That’s Lebanon in the far background.

More photos on my Flickr page.