Owls and Orchids

It’s partly cloudy, outside and inside

“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking. “  Albert Einstein

It’s been a strange day, partly cloudy with sudden showers and then fine periods.  That’s the weather forecast, and they managed to get it right – which is a novel experience.  There are days when you feel it’s almost ‘flip a coin and choose an option’ to see what kind of weather we’re going to see.

It’s also been a very apt description of the kind of day I’ve had, partly cloudy (brain fog) and fine periods when thought has been sharp and clear. Needless to say when the cloudy periods hit I’ve been a tad frustrated because it has stopped me doing things I wanted to.  Like this blog, and in deference to “Clear Thinking” I am delving into a time when Lyme dis-ease hadn’t overtaken me.

I decided to escape for some ‘me time’ and organised a trip overseas. For many years I had wanted to visit Israel and since Mum had recently passed away I decided it would be a great chance to take her with me in spirit. I didn’t do much pre-planning, I walked into my nearest travel agent and sat down, telling her I wanted to go to the Middle East. Several hours later I walked out with my plans formed and told my family I was flying out in three weeks.

The Acropolis, Athens

After a short stopover in the middle of the night at the airport in Singapore I landed in Athens.  Jet lag not withstanding I only had four days here before my next leg of the trip. It passed in a whirlwind of sights and sounds. Madly driving vehicles rushing past, risking life and limb to jay walk across the roads.

Athens

It was with mounting excitement that I headed out to the airport after being thoroughly spoilt by hotel staff and everyone I met.  My next experience was unexpected.  Arriving at the airport I was shuttled off to the side and asked to open my suitcase(s)! Oh No!! They  were packed to the max – and it was a struggle getting everything in, in an orderly fashion and the case closed. Not only was I scanned and dope tested (my suitcase!) my case was thoroughly examined. Everything, and I do mean everything, was taken out and checked. Not only did I have to then hurry to try to pack everything back in, I had to rush back into the terminal as I was over my allotted baggage limit.

Once more I had a wonderful Greek attendant  guiding me along to the right place and then back to complete my check in. My first flight on El Al was an experience I have never had anywhere else. Everyone was talking to everyone else (except me – I think I had a stamp flashing saying ‘foreigner’), and standing up, walking around and generally behaving as though we were on the ground and not in the air.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, a walk around this city is a walk through history. From moment to moment you see ultra modern hotels and history side by side. It truly was walking with the past as we went to major historical sites with our guide and listened to the origins of each place from Byzantine, Romans, Crusaders and Israeli history. Magical.

Tel Aviv was the starting point. The tour visited Capernaum, Haifa, Akko, Jerusalem, Masada, Nazareth, Bethlehem, The Dead Sea where I proved it was possible NOT to float, and with so many incredible sunsets. Here is a snapshot look at this incredibly historical land ending with one of the magical sunsets.

On top of Masada

Jerusalem at night

A frantic rush through Jerusalem was necessary to buy a new suitcase. Damaged beyond further use I had no option but to replace it. Kebabs in the mall and chocolate mousse, sinful and delicious made the visit even more exciting.

The Old Town, Jerusalem

Walking through the Old Town, along the Via Dolorosa, The Way  of the Cross and seeing the bazaar stalls was stepping into another world entirely.

Israel, history at a glance

The old, truly historical land and the modern at a glance.

Glorious sunset over the Mediterranean.

I was gifted with more glorious sunsets like this than I could count. Each time I thought it couldn’t get better – it did! A fabulous way of ‘ending’ each day.

“You can learn as much about the history from reading about the present as you can vice versa, that is learning about the present through history, which is what I do for a living.”     Ken Burns