Back to the Holy Land

Plans for the long weekend? Not yet.
Tel Aviv? Ok.

That is how much it takes me to plan another (fifth or sixth? I do not even remember) visit to my friends living in the holy land. That, and a Jetairfly ticket, this time even directly from Brussels instead of Liege.

And so here I am again: flip-flops, summer dress, straw hat and sunglasses, walking along sderot Ben Gurion, enjoying the free wifi, choosing the coffee shop for today until finally heading to the beach until sunset.

And after sunset, it is time for the gastronomic part. The result is two new additions to the lists of great places to go and eat in Tel Aviv: Onza, a bit posh and very refined at the Jaffa flea market, and friendly, cozy Dalida in Florentin.

Admittedly, having 35 degrees in May is perhaps a bit exaggerated but, after all, better to stock up a bit of heat. God knows what Brussels summer will look like (*).

In Jerusalem,of course, things are different and we would be meeting and talking to Jesus (literally).

Icing on the cake, the smoothest departure I ever had. Perhaps due to my new passport showing no signs of my suntanning in Tunisia or climbing in Jordan, nearly no question asked at the security check. Except the typical embarrassing ones such as: "why such a big suitcase if you are coming just for a weekend?" Ahem.

Point taken. Next time I will stay longer.


(*) update from yourself in July: good you soaked some good sun back in May and even got a little burned. Your July in Brussels will be 15 degrees and no-stop rain. You were happy that Israeli security was smooth and did not make you miss the flight back? You will regret that in a few weeks, darling.

Eat, Pray, L...

What an experience is to visit the Holy Land. Quite apart from the most serious manifestations of the Jerusalem syndrome, it is sort of unavoidable to find oneself caught in the mystic atmosphere of the Old city and to feel the intense spirituality of the place - well, if one manages to abstract from the hords of tourists snapping pics and of pilgrims rubbing all sort of clothes on every holy stones around.

And this even after a few visits, when you think you know enough to play the tour guide for your friends.

Not much partying, but the gastronomic side of the Holy Land was, once again, no less mystic.

Despite a well deserved special mention for the superb crabs from Chakra, the discovery of this trip was much more low profile: the Yemenite Malawach.

Almost the only food available to us on Shabbath, a fried pancake filled with hummus, tahini, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, onions, spicy mix and zaatar (but you could further use your creativity), roll up and eat.

Tel Aviv knows almost no Shabbath (except for hotel staff waking us up because checkout time on Friday is at 9 am) but knows all kind of gastronomic pleasures. Our pick: Nanuchka, good Georgian food and over-excited customers singing, dancing and screaming all night long.

Over to Nazareth, the palm goes to Al Reda, in an old Ottoman mansion, facing St.Joseph's Church. Excellent muhammar, very helpful host, great views from the rooftop terrace, and a romantic loft for future needs. Note taken. 

And the "L" part of this story? Well, some Listening will do.