Don't worry, I made it back home, it only took me circling of the world to do it. And if you had taken my bet, you almost would have won. My airplane touched down at 11:51 pm, almost making it 46 days instead of 45. But make it I did.
My final time in Israel was very enjoyable and relaxed. As i mentioned, i was invited to stay at the home of my good friend Sylvie. And it really was so wonderful, to be in a real home, with a room to myself, a sense of normality amidst all that has been happening this month, and cute kids to boot.
The moment I walked in the door, Shai (3 yrs, who i occasionally helped with during the 2011 dig season) took my hand and wanted to show me his home and more specifically his tv :) later that night after jeff had left he whispers to his mom, "is she going home?" -"no, she's going to stay the night" - "really?! does she have pajamas?" -"yes, she has her own pajamas"- "oh!!!!" and his eyes were super wide and he jumped up and down. Haha, he's probably my new best friend.
Wed I hung out with the kids playing with all their toys they brought out to show me, and Sylvie as she made little cake decorations and cake for the party we went to later that night. It was a "graduation" party for her daughter's day care/pre-school. It was so much fun, cute kids dancing around, normal people in regular life, and delicious food. And then we watched a movie after the kids went to bed, i think we both fell asleep several times during it...
Then her husband was kind enough to give me a ride into Tel Aviv the next morning for my flight. That was uneventful (well except for the lady right in front of me who suddenly jumped on a mom and son and attacked them, and i was the most scared i'd been all summer...) and not fun so we won't dwell on that.
Thursday night I made it to my final stop before home- Sweden. It was beautiful. And awesome. And someday I will definitely go back. I it about 5 in the afternoon, successfully made it to my hostel (without asking for directions, score), and then walked back out to explore. Ok, take that back, i did ask once at the information desk for a map and which direction to walk out of the station.
The first thing I did, of course, was eat. Hot dog type stands are everywhere, so i got the classic hot dog with mashed potatoes on it, it was actually pretty good.
I ended up following the main direction of the crowd and found the long main street of the city as the sun was beginning to lower (though it didn't actually set till about 10pm). Sweden is a really cool system of 14 islands, though it just looks like crossing small rivers to get from one area to the next. As i walked down the main street ( i won't even attempt to spell, but it ends with -aten, all of them did) I ended up walking across the island with parliament (though i didn't know it till the next day) and then over to the next with the royal place and Gamla Stan (the old city) with tiny little streets winding around and a fun atmosphere. And places that sold delicious ice cream. That was a fun place just to sit and people watch and look at the beautiful buildings around me.
Friday morning i had a few hours to explore some more- a park, the front of the parliament bldg and palace, more bridges, and cool buildings. And then i met with the group for a free walking tour they do (also in most main european cities too, good to know). Our guide was actually from australia, but he still knew some pretty cool things about the history and fun facts of the city. We learned the story behind the "stockholm syndrome" and the nobel peace prize and why IKEA is the way it is. Definitely a good choice.
And then I had to run back to the airport or i was going to miss my flight. And then my flight ended up getting delayed almost 8 hours! so i definitely didn't miss that! I don't get frustrated easily, but i was getting pretty close, especially when no one knew anything about what was going on and i had to go through security twice just to find that out. But eventually they boarded us after another security check. And after a long 12 hours i made it home, as i said, in 45 days (with 9 minutes to spare :) And now, back to real life...
and my nephew
My final time in Israel was very enjoyable and relaxed. As i mentioned, i was invited to stay at the home of my good friend Sylvie. And it really was so wonderful, to be in a real home, with a room to myself, a sense of normality amidst all that has been happening this month, and cute kids to boot.
The moment I walked in the door, Shai (3 yrs, who i occasionally helped with during the 2011 dig season) took my hand and wanted to show me his home and more specifically his tv :) later that night after jeff had left he whispers to his mom, "is she going home?" -"no, she's going to stay the night" - "really?! does she have pajamas?" -"yes, she has her own pajamas"- "oh!!!!" and his eyes were super wide and he jumped up and down. Haha, he's probably my new best friend.
Kerem in her morning mood, and still cute
Shai, doing everything he can not to go to bed :)
Wed I hung out with the kids playing with all their toys they brought out to show me, and Sylvie as she made little cake decorations and cake for the party we went to later that night. It was a "graduation" party for her daughter's day care/pre-school. It was so much fun, cute kids dancing around, normal people in regular life, and delicious food. And then we watched a movie after the kids went to bed, i think we both fell asleep several times during it...
Kerem feeling beautiful in her dress for the party
Then her husband was kind enough to give me a ride into Tel Aviv the next morning for my flight. That was uneventful (well except for the lady right in front of me who suddenly jumped on a mom and son and attacked them, and i was the most scared i'd been all summer...) and not fun so we won't dwell on that.
Thursday night I made it to my final stop before home- Sweden. It was beautiful. And awesome. And someday I will definitely go back. I it about 5 in the afternoon, successfully made it to my hostel (without asking for directions, score), and then walked back out to explore. Ok, take that back, i did ask once at the information desk for a map and which direction to walk out of the station.
 |
| Welcome to beautiful Sweden! |
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| obligatory parent pic walking towards parliament bldg |
The first thing I did, of course, was eat. Hot dog type stands are everywhere, so i got the classic hot dog with mashed potatoes on it, it was actually pretty good.
I ended up following the main direction of the crowd and found the long main street of the city as the sun was beginning to lower (though it didn't actually set till about 10pm). Sweden is a really cool system of 14 islands, though it just looks like crossing small rivers to get from one area to the next. As i walked down the main street ( i won't even attempt to spell, but it ends with -aten, all of them did) I ended up walking across the island with parliament (though i didn't know it till the next day) and then over to the next with the royal place and Gamla Stan (the old city) with tiny little streets winding around and a fun atmosphere. And places that sold delicious ice cream. That was a fun place just to sit and people watch and look at the beautiful buildings around me.
Friday morning i had a few hours to explore some more- a park, the front of the parliament bldg and palace, more bridges, and cool buildings. And then i met with the group for a free walking tour they do (also in most main european cities too, good to know). Our guide was actually from australia, but he still knew some pretty cool things about the history and fun facts of the city. We learned the story behind the "stockholm syndrome" and the nobel peace prize and why IKEA is the way it is. Definitely a good choice.
Park where i ate my delicious chocolate and orange muffin
Royal Palace
Parliament bldg
Department store where Greta Garbo got her start
Place where they present the Nobel Peace prize
Look! 2 pictures of me in one post, that should make mom happy
And then I had to run back to the airport or i was going to miss my flight. And then my flight ended up getting delayed almost 8 hours! so i definitely didn't miss that! I don't get frustrated easily, but i was getting pretty close, especially when no one knew anything about what was going on and i had to go through security twice just to find that out. But eventually they boarded us after another security check. And after a long 12 hours i made it home, as i said, in 45 days (with 9 minutes to spare :) And now, back to real life...
and my nephew
He really likes the camel i brought home for him (he gave it a kiss right after) and my panda, which is still mine, but i'll share once in a while
Sitting still, for about 2 sec
First, love the conversation with the mom and little one about you sleeping over. Second, when you go back to Sweden, take me with you. I don't remember much of it, but I remember I loved it there. Third, adorable pictures of the little man, he still loves the camel!
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