[img]96|left|Shachar||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem — I am getting a lot of frequent flyer miles, domestic and international. I flew into Israel at the end of the week, enjoyed delicious Shabbat meals and fantastic conversation at the homes of friends' Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch. Sunday I flew back to the U.S. due to a family emergency. Considering I had to make arrangements for last- minute flights, I have to give credit to El Al Airlines and Jet Blue Airlines for accommodating me and my claustrophobia, my injured arm in a sling, and foot in a support.

I had interesting flights, as usual. Flying from Israel to New York was without incident. But from New York to Florida, I was pulled out of line by TSA who frisked me more intimately than last week, and they wiped my hands and neck with a white cloth that was then placed on a machine looking for explosive materials. I think it was because my arm was in a sling and I could not lift it when examined. But considering that I am always pulled out of line by security and I now have been frisked on two occasions, I think that I must be on a “list” or have the kind of face that looks suspicious. No alarms ever go off. Nothing illegal is ever found.

Then on my flight to Florida, the passenger next to me was a dog, a registered service animal, a beautiful sheltie. The dog was very nervous, and that only made me more nervous because I know dogs have a special sense when it comes to danger. I must admit the sheltie was one of the most pleasant seatmates I have had the pleasure to fly.

An Unexpected Environment

I flew to Florida to be with my father who is in the ICU due to a massive stroke suffered last Shabbat. The hospital is unusual in that it does not have the antiseptic smell so prevalent in most hospitals. Waterfalls and lakes are adjacent to the hospital. They are beautiful but dangerous. There are posted signs saying, “Beware of alligators.” No joke. Alligators are prevalent in the waters of Florida, and not just in the swampy marshes of the Everglades. Florida’s inland waterways abound in alligators that find their way out of the water and onto backyard lawns. I have even read of cases where they have come up to kitchen screen doors. Therefore the signs saying “Beware of Alligators” are not unusual. To find alligators in the giant man-made waterfall pools on hospital grounds, though, strikes me as unusual.

Since my birthday was this week, we drove to another city to eat at the only kosher restaurant in the entire county. Called Jerusalem Grill and Deli, there was a kosher market next door. It turns out that two sisters from the Israeli city of Ashdod own them. When we walked into the restaurant, the owner was surprised to see me again since the last time I was there was only three weeks ago and she had wished me a safe trip home to Israel. It was so nice to eat the mixed grill of shwarma (shaved lamb and turkey roasted on a spit), merguez spicy sausages, and spicy ground beef kebabs. I really have missed Israeli food. Of course, how could I not order Moroccan cigars (meat or mashed potato filling in dough shaped like a cigar that has been deep fried), the Israeli version of taquitos but better. An added touch of Israel was the TV in the corner of the restaurant tuned to an Israeli news channel. Not quite like being at home, but the closest thing to it.

Must say ” l'hitraot” for now, the Hebrew version of “hasta la vista” or “see you later, alligator.”

L'hitraot. Shachar