Driss-A-Blog

I got on the plane in London. Aliza and the boys were great and gave me a ride to the airport. Went through security and checked the bags. Hung out with the family for a bit longer then said good bye. It really was nice to see them again. It had been about 2 and a half years since I was last there. Everyone is doing well and getting bigger.

The plane ride was uneventful except for one thing. The Israeli soccer team were passengers on the plane as well. I really didn't know that the fellow next to me was until he was looking at a newspaper article about the last game (I think Israel won) and he was in the picture. So I congratulated him. There were people coming over and also congratulating him, asking for autographs, etc. That was fun.

It happened to have been a short flight coming from London, only about 4 hours. , with a 2 hours time difference. I landed late in Israel, rented a car and went to Jerusalem. Got there about one in the morning. Found a hotel. I went into the lobby, and found tons of teenagers wandering through. I think they were all on Birthright. One girl was in the elevator, and she asked me where I was from -- I responded Detroit, and she asked how long I'd been in Israel for -- I looked at my watch -- about 2 hours. That was funny. She's from Jacksonville, FL, had been in Israel about a week, and loving it.

Couldn't fall asleep that night, I was so wired. Finally about 5am, I fell asleep till about 10:30, I needed to take a shower and move out by about 12noon.

Somehow I pulled myself out of bed, did what I needed to do and checked out. [It's the end of the week here and I'm trying to think of the details and having some trouble]. It's been a full week. I made to Ramat Beit Shemesh where I'm staying with a friend and her family. I was in Jerusalem for Jerusalem Day celebrations, and that was fun. I got some orange pieces of cloth for my backpack and car, to show solidarity with the Gazan Jews and Northern Shomron who are G-d willing not going to get thrown out of their homes. I picked up a few more for the kids back home. Don't worry, I didn't forget about you.

I've been trying to call people to let them know I'm here and when I can visit. I ran into Israel David and Ellen and one of the boys during Jerusalem day celebrations. That was nice.

I've been busy. Not doing real work or anything. But I've been visiting in Neve Yaakov, J-m, Ramat Beit Shemesh. Wow. Been to the mall. Kotel (Western Wall), Har Nof - Neve and Shearim to visit teachers. I'll be going to Shearim for the July program.

All is well here. I'm exhausted and dehydrated, but nothing new about that. If anyone wants me to daven/pray for them or for someone else please send me their Hebrew name and their mother's Hebrew name (or if you don't know that's ok). If they aren't Jewish, you can send their name and their father's name. That will work too.

Okay dokey. Shabbos is coming and I need to get my act together. It's been a relatively quiet day, made a short run into Geula for Shabbos gifts. I even have where to go for meals. How about that. Even better, I've got Shavuos plans. By the way, Shavuos here in Jerusalem is amazing -- but I'll write about that later.

Good Shabbos Everybody!
love Shira