Tel Aviv

So lucky we made it to tel Aviv on time. I'll plane landed on time 1:30p Luckily I pre-arranged a taxi through GETT which is there which is Israel's version of uber. We got to the hotel and have a beautiful room overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We got good exercise on Shabbos, With it being on the 5th floor. We were able to find food at a local market. We found cold cuts, wine salads and some fish. All the makings of a good Shabbos meal ran back to the room. Quick shower and just made it to synagogue on time. We had Shabbos on the rooftop overlooking the sea on a beautiful warm night. You can see the daytime view of what we have in the picture

We were so surprised to run into a few people that we know from our previous trip to Israel. It made us feel like it was returning home. Shabbat day after services we went on a long walk along the beach. It was like the middle of summer. A very large group of Israeli folk dancers along the way. The Israeli Israelis activity level is amazing. So many runners, paddleball players, volleyball players. It's like most people stay very active.

Motzie Shabbos went downstairs for the hotel's happy hour. We met a few people that we didn't know from Sar-el. Two were particularly interesting. One gentleman was originally from Cuba, he was not Jewish and he told us of a story that when he came over from Cuba, this Jewish family posted him. Found him a job and he was so thankful that he's very dedicated to Israel and volunteers regularly. Another woman that we met was from the Philippines. She as well had an extraordinary story in terms of her learning about Jewish culture. She is dating a Jewish man from Ireland and she is thinking about conversion a level of knowledge. Impressed me so much. I really felt it was meant to be for her to go through a conversion. Speaking with these two people who are not Jewish and so supportive of Israel was so emotionally moving for me. There are many Jewish people that can learn from their example.
After the happy hour we headed over to the bank, I had the pleasurable experience of having the ATM eat my bank card so this morning I'll head over there in hopes of retrieving it. You can't have everything. Go perfect on a trip to IsraelLes mer