A Tipsy Morning

Today's photo -- a rose from the garden of Pilgerhaus in the Galilee.

Lots o' Wine

Yesterday, Sweetie's sister (who is visiting) and I went to the opening of the Israwinexpo in Tel Aviv. I didn't really know what to expect -- Sweetie received an invitation to the "opening event" and so we aimed to go to that. We registered and then went into the hall where the opening event (with various high-ranking government officials scheduled to speak) was to take place. There was a jazz band playing, an open bar with champagne on offer, and canapes of all types being offered by a bevy of servers who were fluttering around the room like butterflies. We procured some champagne (what else at 10:30AM?) and found an open table and stools that were conveniently located right where the servers were entering the room with their trays full of goodies. We feasted on avocado cream puffs, ceviche, roasted vegetables in crispy filo bowls, mini-quiches, passionfruit tarts, etc. It was difficult, but somehow we endured it.

We kept waiting for the opening event to start, but there was no end in sight, so after consuming what we thought was a respectable quantity of appetizers, we headed into the large hall where virtually every Israeli wine producer had an area set up with wines on offer. I have never seen so much wine available in one place for tasting in my life.

Yesterday was open only to "wine professionals," journalists, etc. so as "diplomats" we were complete and total posers. BUT, that said, I think we did VERY well holding our own. People were very interested in serving us, and it was only when the mayor of Tel Aviv walked up that we were pushed aside at one of the producers stands while the paparazzi (who were already there taking photos of US) snapped a flurry of photos.

Each vineyard's representative would say, "Why don't you try our entire range of wines?" and they'd have like 20 bottles lined up. Uhhhhh---did we look like complete boozers or something? I was driving, so I really had to try to limit myself. Not easy! I think by about the 20th tasting (which happened to be at the Dalton vineyard's stand - they have a SUPERB 2003 Merlot in their Reserve line), I could no longer distinguish tastes and actually begged a cracker out of the hostess's secret snack stash for herself (only one exhibitor had any sort of cracker on offer).

A difficult life, let me tell you! :-) We really had a great time -- I'm so happy Sweetie thought to pass his invite along to me and his sister!

Cha-Chan's Heartattack/Mr. Lizard Hangs on for Dear Life

Over the weekend, we made a brief stop on Mt. Gilboa since we were a little early for our reservation at the Herb Farm restaurant. I was admiring these flowers and took my hand down to the leaves to show Sweetie that we have the same flowers popping up in our garden. It was then that I nearly had a heartattack. It was then that I noticed Mr. Lizard reclining between the two anemone flowers like he was in a Barcolounger. He became very very still and was only moving his eyes (independently of eachother), presumably to gauge whether we could see him or not. He started slipping, losing his grip. But he held on for dear life hoping that we still hadn't noticed him. We left him in peace. (You can click on the picture to see a larger version).

Fruitful Trees

I found this gorgeous tree just outside the same church where I took the previous two photos. It's the time of the year when all the trees and plants start growing again at warp speed here in Israel. The Galilee was literally a different world this weekend as compared to our visit one month ago. Plants that were nowhere to be seen four weeks ago were now several feet tall. Everything was so green that I almost thought I was in Ireland. Apparently, in March there are even more flowers in bloom, so I am determined to return then to see for myself.

Koi and ruins

This was my second visit to the Church of Multiplication of Fishes and Loaves and I always struggle to capture the beauty of the serene koi pond in the courtyard in front of the church. This is one of my attempts.

Church of Multiplication of Fishes and Loaves

A lazy Sunday for the doggie at the Church of the Multiplication of Fishes and Loaves. No tourists wreaking havoc upon the premises.

Bird in the Tree

I took this photo with a Canon Telephoto Zoom 75-300mm L IS lens that I am borrowing from a friend. I'm trying to decide whether I really need the IS or not because it's an extra $500. I'm thinking that for an amateur like me who happens to not be employed right now, it's not really necessary. I'm sure I'll want it later when I get more serious about taking photos and have more funds, but for now, I think I will live without.

Lemons on our tree

We kept a few lemons on our tree for Sweetie's sister to see during her visit. I've been making lots of lemonade now that it is warming up. It's nice to know that they are organic!

A Photo a Day

I've decided I'll post one photo each day, if at all possible. Now that the sun is out again, I can carry my camera around and get some practice.

Yes, the sun. It's glorious. Israel is blessed with lots and lots of sunny weather. And the sea. I'll try to walk there tomorrow for some seaside photos. In the meantime, you'll have to settle for this one of some trees in my friend's garden.

The pic here was taken with my standard 18-55mm Canon lens, which I was told by a serious photographer is "crap." But, for a casual photographer like myself, it's a great multipurpose lens and I think I will use it a lot.

It's a little embarrassing that the more photos I take, the more I realize that my pics are not so great! Anyway, I'm learning, so that's the important thing.

Worth Its Weight in Gold

Sweetie's sister arrived for a visit yesterday and the one thing he asked her to bring was Weetabix cereal. The reason? Well, it costs approximately $9 per box here. I am not exaggerating. It's actually $9.16 per box, to be precise. I'm not sure why anyone would want to eat something with a consistency somewhere between balsa wood and styrofoam, and that congeals so hard and solidly that it would rival duct tape as an adhesive. But Sweetie really loves his Weetabix. So, his sister brought mass quantities of it, basically paying for her plane ticket in the money we've saved on Weetabix. Bless her.

日本語でちょこっと

ブログ

いつもブログを日本語で頑張ろうと思いながら、なかなか。なぜか日本語でブログを書くとき、書いたものが2回出てくるので、かなり不便です。だからあまり日本語で書いていないのです。ごめんなさいね。

発見！Internet Explorerでやれば、大丈夫です。私は最近Operaというブラウザーが気に入って、それを使っていましたが、ブログを書くにはIEがいいみたいです。

イスラエル
最近イスラエルの天気が雨と嵐で、家にいる事が多いです。11月に彼にいただいたDSLRカメラを練習したいけど、中で写真をとるのが面白くないのです。友達にWide angle lensとTelephoto lensを貸していただいてそれを使ったみたいけど。

先日イスラエルに地震が起こりました。私は気づいたけど、自分の体が触れているだけと思ったのです。体に感じる地震は日本にすんだとき意外初めてでした。

日本といえば、秋から私が再び働くことになり、日本で仕事をしたいのです。彼も日本語できるし。もしいい仕事の話を聞いたら是非！

一期一会

悲しい話ですけど、先日こちらでの知り合いが交通事故で重傷を受け、無意識で、近いうちになくなる可能性が高いらしい。彼女が10月に我が家で開催した「お月見茶会」に来てくれた方で、沖縄に住んだことのある何人か子供がいるお母さんです。いつも何が起こるのかわからないので、Each momentに大切にして、一所懸命楽しむことが大事だと再び気づきました。最近、皆が他のことをしながら携帯電話で話したり、SMSを送ったりしています。全然やっていることや一緒にいる人に集中していない、気づいていないことが多いです。それは本当に残念だと思います。

皆さん、一期一会を思い出して、FOCUSをして生きていきましょう。

More Photos

I hereby promise more photos on my blog.  One kind reader suggested this and I know that I've been a terrible photo slacker.  A real shame because I have my fancy DSLR now, so I truly have no excuses.  So, I promise more photos.

That said, yesterday I met with a serious photographer to get some advice on lens purchases.  I need a zoom telephoto for my upcoming trip to Africa.  Easy enough.  He gave me some great suggestions that I am going to investigate and see what I can afford.  But, he also told me that I really need to be taking my photos in the 
RAW format, which means that in order to do anything with them, 
I have to convert them using software that is basically like a digital darkroom. 
UG.  As if uploading and organizing my photos wasn't enough of a trial already:-) 

Free Food

I had to make the dreaded grocery store trip today.  I often enjoy grocery shopping, but buying all the items on my list here, like everywhere else I have lived, requires trips to about three different stores.  I'm tired.  I already made a pilgrimage to the largest natural foods supermarket in Israel late last week.  Anyway, I am on the hook for some homecooked meals since last night Sweetie took me out to dinner (to the scene of our first ever dinner out together - needless to say, the same level of suspense and tension was not in evidence between us last night).  

All I wanted today was a red onion.  Was that too much to ask.  Apparently so.  My usual general purpose supermarket only had one soft and squishy red onion at the bottom of a crate.  No thank you.  So, I ran across to the health food store.  All I found there was a decorative string of red onions made of paper (though it was useful in showing the non-English speaking produce guy what I was looking for).  No dice.  So, I made a bargain with myself.  If the little strip of shops on the way home had a parking spot, I would try there for my onion AND get Sweetie's suit from the cleaners.  What a coup that would be.  

There was a spot.  And I went into my favorite neighborhood veggie shop and they had a whole bunch of red onions.  I picked one out.  Told the shopkeeper I didn't need a bag and tossed it into my $200 purse (those were the days, when I could afford purses like that) and asked him how much it cost.  "It's on the house," was the kind reply.  I really do like doing business with small shops in Israel.  The staff are friendly.  They'll spot you $10 and trust you to pay it back.  They'll toss little veggies in for free.  It's all good.

Hazards; Close Call

Hazard #1

What's that statistic about the vast majority of accidents occuring in the home?  Well, the other day I was diligently peeling some beets for a stew for dinner.  And then the peeler slipped.  And I felt pain.  However, seeing as how I was peeling beets, it was hard to tell much damage I had done.  Lovely.  Anyway, I will spare you the gory details, but it was pretty amazing what a simple vegetable peeler can do!

So, now my typing is slightly hampered.  But that's what painkillers are for, isn't it?

Hazard #2
Yesterday, I was walking home from the pharmacy at about 12:30 in the afternoon.  At one point
I paused and tried to decide which way to walk home.  I elected to take a slightly scruffy street since the other route was blocked by a massive truck that looked to be doing something sewage-related.  We call this particularscruffy  street "drug dealers' row" because the street itself is in pretty poor condition and it just generally looks seedy, but at the same time, some of the most massive, sprawling homes in the 'hood are on it.  

Anyway, I went down that street and then turned onto a very narrow alley-like street that leads toward our house.  For about 50 yards, there are no gates to houses -- just tall walls surrounding the properties on either side of the alley.  I was walking through this part and I heard footsteps approaching...quickly.  I looked back and tried to keep looking back at the figure approaching me so that he knew I saw him, but also not wanting to look directly at him, lest he think that was an invitation to harrass me.  

Anyway, my fears were realized when he sidled up beside me (entirely too closely) and started talking to me.  In Hebrew.  I knew what he was saying, but I just kept saying that I didn't speak Hebrew.  He was asking if I had a boyfriend....said he loved me....other assorted creepy comments.  YUCK.  I was eyeing my options as we emerged from the walled area and approached some houses with gates.  I decided to keep walking quickly toward our street.  Fortunately, there is an official embassy residence close to our house that has guards 24/7, so I figured I would walk there if the freak kept following me.  Fortunately, he got bored by the one-sided professions of devotion and walked the other way.  

Close call.  I am NEVER walking down drug-dealers'-row again.  I am boycotting that street.  And I have been reminded that although street crime is pretty rare in Israel, Israel is not entirely immune and I need to be careful.

Israel - bombings and beaches

Suicide Bombing
In case anyone is wondering, I am nowhere near Dimona, where the suicide bombing killing one Israeli lady took place today.  Dimona is in the south, whereas Tel Aviv is in central Israel.  That said, as a precaution, Sweetie asked me to cancel my meeting with my conversation partner today in Tel Aviv, just in case there will be a cluster of bombings.  There were two bombers in Dimona, maybe there are others working there way up north.  Who knows.  

I am pretty sure we have the border break between Gaza and Egypt to thank for this.  When that happened, everyone imagined that some terrorists would go into Egypt and then infiltrate Israel from Egypt.  

Ironically, about 10 minutes before I heard about the bombing, I was opening my backpack for a security guard at the nearby medical center.  I was thinking to myself that a packpack has the be the LAST thing an Israeli security guard wants to see, and I do sometimes feel bad for using one, because even I get scared seeing someone carrying a backpack.    But life goes on.

If it had just been me, I probably wouldn't have cancelled my trip into Tel Aviv this afternoon, because I just don't believe in living like that.  Also, I tend to think that an attack is more likely to occur in Tel Aviv in the coming days, rather than today, because it will take would-be suicide bombers that much longer to surreptitiously make their through the desert up to Tel Aviv.  At any rate, I think I will keep my mall excursions to a minimum until some time has passed and also until the border between Gaza and Egypt is solidly shut again.

Happier times
On the nice-news front, the weather has been spectacular and Sweetie and I ventured to Caesarea for lunch yesterday.  It was lovely -- we sat outside, nestled between the ancient ruins and the Mediterranean sea was practically lapping at our feet.  Lovely.

But it did occur to me that Israel doesn't really take advantage of its coastline like it should.  Okinawa, where I lived for three years, 
had soooo many "destination" restaurants and cafes.  I can think of so many charming seaside places that I would drive anywhere from 15-75 minutes to eat at because they had great food, great atmosphere, and stunning views of the sea.   But here, there is really only one "destination" cafe that Sweetie and I know of, and it's not even on the water.  A real shame.  Israel does, however, have its share of mediocre bars and restaurants here and there along the coast, but nothing like what I wish it had!