Only in?
Fortunately two months in Australia, where tea is taken religiously between 6:30 and 7:30pm, did not wipe out my conditioning for a more humane dinner hour (sorry Kay). Ten o’clock is mealtime at Crown Park.
Here in Israel, however, ten is early. Most restaurants, outside of hotels, don’t have full wait and kitchen staff on before 11pm. Symphony, opera, and theatre performances don’t start until 8:30. And if you want to go to a bar and not be the only person at it, don’t plan to go before 1 am. I’m definitely too old to be doing bars!
Eating alone, as many of us know, is the least pleasant aspect of traveling, or of being at home. I must say, however, that Israel is one of the easiest places I’ve been in to eat out alone. Israelis are very social, Palestinians even more so. If you are alone, it will not be for long as you are easily and readily drawn into conversation and fellowship with those around you. What a gift.
Tonight I ate at a little local establishment. Next to me were four soldiers grabbing a bite before heading back into the bitter (it is only 10°s tonight) Jerusalem night. It wasn’t long before we were exchanging remarks and nattering. It was obvious that they were having a problem with their guns – they kept slipping off of their chairs. Avi asks if they may put them on my chair which is only holding my sweater and bag. Sure. Of course.
But then I had to look at these four automatic weapons sitting opposite me. Even Art, major ticked with me, isn't this imposing.
Carol asked last week if one ever gets used to this armed presence.
I sent her this surrep- titiously taken shot (I mean photo) in my local grocery store the other day.
The answer to Carol is, “No.”
At least we North American’s don’t get used to this. We have been so sheltered from a reality that most of the rest of the world lives with that we have created our own reality. I’m not sure which is real.
The guys were great. We shared lots of laughs, especially at my lack of anything but badly mangled Hebrew. And I had nothing to fear. After all, two of the soldiers still had rather nasty looking hand guns strapped to their hips . . .
Here in Israel, however, ten is early. Most restaurants, outside of hotels, don’t have full wait and kitchen staff on before 11pm. Symphony, opera, and theatre performances don’t start until 8:30. And if you want to go to a bar and not be the only person at it, don’t plan to go before 1 am. I’m definitely too old to be doing bars!
Eating alone, as many of us know, is the least pleasant aspect of traveling, or of being at home. I must say, however, that Israel is one of the easiest places I’ve been in to eat out alone. Israelis are very social, Palestinians even more so. If you are alone, it will not be for long as you are easily and readily drawn into conversation and fellowship with those around you. What a gift.
Tonight I ate at a little local establishment. Next to me were four soldiers grabbing a bite before heading back into the bitter (it is only 10°s tonight) Jerusalem night. It wasn’t long before we were exchanging remarks and nattering. It was obvious that they were having a problem with their guns – they kept slipping off of their chairs. Avi asks if they may put them on my chair which is only holding my sweater and bag. Sure. Of course.
But then I had to look at these four automatic weapons sitting opposite me. Even Art, major ticked with me, isn't this imposing.
Carol asked last week if one ever gets used to this armed presence.
I sent her this surrep- titiously taken shot (I mean photo) in my local grocery store the other day. The answer to Carol is, “No.”
At least we North American’s don’t get used to this. We have been so sheltered from a reality that most of the rest of the world lives with that we have created our own reality. I’m not sure which is real.
The guys were great. We shared lots of laughs, especially at my lack of anything but badly mangled Hebrew. And I had nothing to fear. After all, two of the soldiers still had rather nasty looking hand guns strapped to their hips . . .
posted by He's Not Home (again) at 12:09 am
3 Comments:
Alan, as usual, I am enjoying your journey. You make it so real I almost feel that I am there.
Your experience with the soldiers reminds me of my first trip to Switzerland. I was travelling by train, accompanied by a group of soldiers, all armed.
Looking forward to seeing you upon your return
Blessings, Jim K
Wow Alan it's been almost 3 months... you've packed in many terrific experiences. Thanks for sharing them through your blogs. I don’t think I could get used to seeing soldiers with guns everywhere either.
Keep save. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
What's your hotel/room like? You might have mentioned it previously but do you have a picture of it? Tidy up! Sweep the socks under the bed and shoo the sheep into the closet.........*grin*..... and snap a photo of a Jerusalem room.
I'm glad you didn't go to the Gaza. It's still hop'n over there and you're much better where you are. Need you to come back in one piece!
Scott
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