The new world

Okay, so I knew an eleven hour flight on a packed Boeing super size jet to Tel Aviv would be nerve jangling....praying in the aisles and competitive overhead compartment stuffing galore. Food as bad as any other airline. But, despite the lack of sleep, it seemed all worth it once we landed at Ben Gurion. Tel Aviv is a mixture of old and new....hip 25 year olds working in restaurants and old buildings. The energy of youth is palpable in this city. Lovely beaches (actually reminds me of Daytona strangely enough) that are clean with dreamy sailboats off in the distance. Too tired to do much tonight and it is the Sabbath so options are limited. No elevator button pushing in the hotel on the Sabbath; it's programmed to just open doors on every floor. No Shabbas goy needed here. Traveling companion in bed already at 5:30 pm, but then again neither of us slept on the plane much and the 7 hour difference is jarring. Great cheap dinner in a funky place with decent wine and Stevie Wonder in the background. Palm trees blowing lightly and motorbikes racing on the road next to the beach. Israelis are funny and serious all at once. We were grilled getting on the El Al flight at JFK, but thankful for the security. Looking forward to tomorrow, my 62nd birthday in Israel. Tomorrow, a free day to roam Tel Aviv and then on Sunday, on to Haifa.