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.
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.
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