Mon. Feb. 21 – New apartment, day with friend

Summary:  Moved to another wonderful apartment a few blocks away; had lunch at the home of new Playback friends and dinner out with Lior and his family.

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Crap.  I’m still only finding time to write about this day late in the next day.  Not my preference.  I’d rather describe my moment:  here at the corner café, in the outdoor glassed in area, feeling expanded from my afternoon exercise-dance, eating a bowl of hot split-pea soup with mint, listening to four older businessmen’s lively Hebrew, watching the sun sink low.

Ah, but about yesterday.  The rain had subsided but it was too windy to dance on the beach, so I found a green enclave under a building to dance in.  Said goodbye to our sweet little apartment, thus closing our first week in Tel Aviv.  New friend Dorit graciously drove us and our many suitcases and shopping bags (Read more plus photo)
a few blocks away to the flat Aviva Appel is letting us use for the week.  It’s on the floor above her apartment, and each of her grown daughters took possession when they turned sixteen.  A perfect hide-away for a teen:  tiny kitchen, tiny bathroom, tiny bedroom with mattress on the floor and colored cloth over the windows, and a wide expanse of flat sunny roof on which to sunbathe or read.  We have it for the rest of our stay: perfect!

Down the main boulevard, in addition to the taxis and public busses one can wave down one of the frequent “mini-busses.”  Ten comfy seats, and for 6 schekels the driver will let you off on whatever corner you want.  What a smart system!  We took the mini-bus to the crowded apartment of new Playback friends Jacob, Iolet, and their almost-one year old daughter Gana.  They served a special, multi-course lunch… perhaps showing us some typically Israeli food?  First course of crusty bread, spicy beet salad, refreshing chopped cucumber and tomato salad, olives, grape leaves.  Next the steaming pureed soup of pumpkin and vegetables .  Next incredibly tender chicken stewed in spices with potato, onion, and prunes.  Turkish coffee and several kinds of pastry to finish.  Whew!  Even though I’m being very disciplined to not overeat, already have gained some pounds here from heavier eating and less exercise.  Conversation was a bit shy until we did Playback for each other.  Magic:  immediately deeper sharing, laughter, tears, excitement about learning new forms.  By the time we parted we felt we could really be friends.

Walked home separately so speedy Christopher could get exercise.  I loved looking at all the shops, art galleries, fruit markets, people, people, people!  By the time we napped and did emails it was already time to get picked up by expansive Lior (who was briefly in our troupe at home), his shy wife Einat, and big-eyed baby Abigail.  They took us to a different, art-y part of Tel Aviv and out to the best food we’ve had yet. (Israeli-Turkish) Walked through a gorgeous concert hall with wide white courtyards flanked by massive date palms.  But I was really way beyond my stamina for group socializing.  By the time we got home I was headachy and grumpy and sad.  One piece of the sadness is being around all these scrumptious little girls.  I can’t help but think of Kaia… and how long it might be until I have grandchildren… if ever!

New Playback friends Jacov and Iolet: