Today's laugh

Christine and I were hanging over the balcony and watching all the action below.  We were talking about the economic situation since the revolution.  I pointed over to the shops across the street.

Look at all those dolls!  How many dolls do you think they can possibly sell in a day?

Dolls?  I think those are mannequins.

Mannequins?  Ah, yeah, maybe you're right.  I felt pretty silly.

 

Eilat

I was going to spend another few days in the Negev desert, but I woke up this morning and instead got on the first bus to Eilat.  Before the bus arrived, a taxi pulled up, offering a ride at the same fare as the bus.  He already had a passenger and the backseat was empty.  Nice.  Half the driving time.

Found Corinne's Hostel.  Corinne gave me an abrasive intro and showed me the room.  A thin mat on a hard board.  Sticky light switch.  Not much love here.

Next I got directions to the Egyptian Consulate... and I took off.  I was greeted with a warm smile.  Would you like a visa?  I wanted to reach across and grab his hand.  Yes I want very much to go to your country, I said with a big goofy smile.  I gave him everything he needed and he assured me that I could pick up my passport in the morning at 9.30.

Many people have told me Eilat is beautiful, between the sea and the desert.  All I can see is a trashy beach town.  I started walking down the main street to the beach.  I couldn't believe what I saw at the next roundabout... the airport!

I could see big hotels on the other side, but how was I supposed to get around a runway to the beach?

I asked a shopkeeper who was polishing bottles of whiskey.  They're moving the airport in two years, but for now, just walk along the street.

And then there it was, McDonald's at the end of the runway.  And a 2-level shopping mall.  I walked thru the mall and found the beach.  I took a comfy seat with a big umbrella, ordered a salad, and settled in for the afternoon.

A mumbling homeless guy shuffled along the beach collecting cans out of the garbage bins.  Sailboats and freighters out at sea.  A roaring low-flying plane overhead.  Rod Stewart and Olivia Newton-John on the speakers.

Tomorrow night Cairo, inshallah.

Welcome to Israel?

there was absolutely nothing welcoming or friendly about it.

ezzeddine dropped me at the border, i checked out of jordan and then walked to the bridge crossing to israel.  nope, i was not allowed to cross on foot.  i had to turn back and take a border bus.  an hour and a half later we drove the 5 minutes it took to get to the border.  we crossed the short bridge and then had to pull over to wait another hour, the only vehicle in the lot. we were finally motioned forward 200 metres where we could get off the bus.  i put my bags thru the x-ray and they had a look at my passport.

can you come this way.

then the questions started.  fast and furious.

what was i doing in lebanon?  traveling.  what else?  taking a yoga course.  why can't you take yoga in canada?  why were you in syria?  did you talk to any palestinians?  did they give you anything to bring over?  do you have palestinian friends?  why do you want to enter israel?  why aren't you traveling with your parents? (the pretty little thing drilling me was barely 20) are you aware of the security problems in the westbank?  and on and on and on and on.

finally she asked to look in my bags.  but as i started pulling things out, she became disinterested and wandered off.

on to the next stage, the visa guy.  what is your plan?  do you have friends here?  do you have reservations?  why not?  why are you traveling alone?  this too went on and on and on.

he came out from the back room and said because you don't have any reservations or friends here i am only going to give you a visa for 2 weeks.  but the beautiful city of jerusalem needs at least 2 weeks.  please give me at least one month.

more waiting as he went to the back room again.  he finally stamped my passport, i walked away and checked... he gave me the usual 3 month visa.

2 weeks later and i can't wait to get out.  i've experienced enough here and i'd rather spend my time in egypt.

halas.