[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img] Dateline Jerusalem — The 10 hour difference in time between Israel and California never seemed to be a problem when I was in Israel. Everyone who called me knew that I was 10 hours ahead of them, and could just add 10 to whatever time it was in California. Somehow, however, Israelis tend to have a problem subtracting 10. Or so it seems since I began my California visit. Here I get calls from Israelis at all hours of the night. Every time I fall asleep I seem to be awakened by an Israeli caller who had already been advised of the time difference but adds instead of subtracts the 10 hours.
Another problem I have on this trip is my computer. I am hooked up to my friend's computer network and my laptop computer keeps freezing. The electrical current in Israel is 220 and 110 in the U.S. I bought an adapter/converter at the airport to plug in my computer and charge it and my Israeli cell phone. Because the electrical current in Israel is much higher, I do not worry about blowing up or burning up my Israeli appliances with the low U.S. current. The opposite is true with American products being plugged into Israeli electrical outlets. Although to some, computer technology seems to have been invented in Israel, the prices of computers there are sky high in comparison to what you can get in the States. I seem to be jinxed or be a jinx when it comes to Israeli computers. In the 4 1/2 years since moving to Israel, I have had to buy three computers. Now that that my newest Israeli computer has started to freeze, I am beginning to wonder what it is about me. I have a reputation for being computer illiterate. But how hard is it to press a button to turn on the computer?
Weather Thou Goest
I am not missing the huge snowstorm in Jerusalem or the high winds and cold rain plaguing Israel this week. Although not as bad, it snowed in the Antelope Valley the other day. Views of white- peaked mountains towering above the desert floor were spectacular. While an Israeli friend told me of the expected cold and windstorm in Rehovot today, the roaring sound of gale-like winds ripped through my friend's California backyard. The only difference is that my friend's home is heated and comfortable. If I were in Israel I would be freezing in my rented apartment. But as I mentioned on several occasions, the weather is similar between Israel and California. The smog of Tel Aviv is not quite as bad as that in Los Angeles. The clear blue daytime skies and star-studded black nights of Rehovot are comparable to those in Lancaster and Palmdale in California.
I am blessed with wonderful friends wherever I live. My “community” in Israel has enabled me to easily adapt to living 7500 miles from California. My friends in California have greeted me with open arms upon my return. Although I have yet to see my family because of my recent illness, as I am highly contagious to my elderly mother and young grandchildren, I miss them terribly. I know the short time I have to visit with them will provide me with precious memories. I am anxious to return to Israel. There is something about living there that pulls at my soul. It is my “home” and that of my ancestors. I have been told I have an old soul, that I am in my fifth life. Perhaps that is true, and that is why living in Israel is so much a part of me. If only I could have my family there to share my life and experience the wonders of Israel, my life would be complete.
L'hitraot. Shachar.