Gardens and Falafel

It has been a few days since we left Japan for Israel. Our apartment is in Jaffa, a stone's throw from the Mediterranean, across the street from a beautiful park, behind the tall minaret which is the local landmark and around the corner from some of the best falafel and baklava. When we first arrived, we sat on the terrace, drank some tea, and took in the beauty.

For those who have read about storms across the Middle East, do not be deceived. The white which you see is not snow. This was only at the beginning of what felt like a typhoon and hurricane rolled into one. Very much like in Montreal, we were stuck for almost 24 hours as the wind and rains battered the city. A cover of the window storm curtain blew of into our bedroom. The repairman showed up at 9:30pm. He was really busy that day. Only a few more hours and we revert back to more traditional sun and sea with no heating. What a return.

We installed ourselves on Friday and spent the the past days on a  number of important tasks. The normal and fun stuff of connecting with family and friends, walking the Tel Aviv boardwalk (before the storm), eating (portions are much bigger), and adjusting to the local culture. As Piki keeps saying "We ain't in Kansas". Apologies to Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Perhaps we should put it another way, it is a different Kansas.

Marcel