A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE-read

 

 

GRATITUDE

I SPENT MOTHER’S DAY WITH MY FAMILY.

I AM ALIVE AND WELL.

I HAVE AN ART CLASS TODAY.

 

 

 

 

 

I woke up thinking about Israel so decided to write an entry about my last trip to ISRAEL. I went for a month just before the INTIFADA started. I was there for the month of May. It was my fifth trip to Israel.

I love the sound of the Hebrew language and had been taking Judaica lessons privately for many years.

I stayed at the Lev Yerushalayim Hotel on King George corner Ben Yehuda. Many days I woke up early. From my window I could see all the way down Ben Yehuda. There was always a hustle and bustle as people went back and forth to work and I am sure there were many tourists milling about.

My apartment was small but had a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room. I ate most of my meals at home. There was a grocery shop right downstairs next to Burger King. Surprisingly enough I never ate at Burger King but when I walked by the smell was intoxicating.

On many days I walked to the KOTEL. I would either have a lesson in the Old City or I would just wander around. I loved walking!!!!!!!!!! Imagine me! Here I take the car to cross the street but there I walked all over Jersualem.

I was alone. All alone. When I started off in the morning I had my camera, hat, sun glasses, journal and water. I was out for the day. I started to walk………..walk and stop at my leisure. I loved it. 

I would walk down the steps in front of the hotel, cross King George and walk down Ben Yehuda. Then I would walk along Jaffa street and enter the Old City. I was in heaven. At the Wall I would pray. I would eat lunch at a bagel restaurant nearby while reading my book and occasionally talking to some other tourists.

Sometimes I would do some shopping. There was a wonderful large Judaica book store where I could spend hours. Usually I took the bus back to the hotel.

Saturday afternoons I would have a long nap as everything was closed. When I woke I checked out my window to see when the buses started rolling again. When they did I would hurry out. Shabbas was over! First I would go to the internet cafe located just in the back if my hotel. If I was lucky my friend back home was online. I remember telling her that I was going out(after 9) and that only I knew where I was going and what I would be doing. Of course it was nothing excited and I was only kidding. I was a married lady. We would chat a bit and then I would go walking on Ben Yehuda. It was usually bustling with people.

How I wish I could go back to ISRAEL and relive my last trip but it would NOT have the same intensity. I don’t think I will ever go back unless my hubby or children want to go.

Wonderful memories but sad as I will probably not go back and even if I did it wouldn’t be the same. The old saying is true, YOU CAN’T GO BACK!!!!