Wow! It has been three months since my last blog post. I guess that means I have not done much traveling. In a way that is true, although I did take the Megabus (www.megabus.com) to visit my daughter son-in-law and grandsons in Las Vegas. That is just the greatest way for me to travel; $35 round trip. It takes the same amount of time as driving, but I couldn’t even pay for enough gasoline to get there with $35. Plus, I do not have to concentrate on the road, I can read, watch a DVD, sleep or whatever.
Anyway, this entry is about a weekend trip to Ojai. Dianne and I stayed at the Lavender Inn (www.lavenderinn.com). It is one block off the main drag, near all the shops and activities, but it is still in a quiet and beautiful setting. The hosts were wonderful and the breakfasts are great. I highly recommend staying here. “Ray the electrician” retired to Ojai about 30 years ago and knows everyone and everything that goes on in Ojai. He had great restaurant suggestions and we were treated well by anyone he referred us to.
Dianne and I were able to ride our bikes all around the town, and we could even ride all the way to the beach in Ventura on a bike path, about 14 miles, and take the bus back from the beach. So anyone could ride the mild downhill slope to the beach and take a bus back. Most folks ought to be able to ride both ways if they ride often enough.
There was a lovely monastery we just dropped into and had a wonderful conversation with a man who was one of the brothers of the order. When asked why we were going to Ojai, like there was nothing there, I agreed. That is why we went there. Yes, there are stores, art galleries, thrift shops, a theatre, and restaurants, but the point was to get away from Los Angeles and have nothing to do. That’s all there is to say. Ojai is only 1 hour away from L.A., but a world away as well.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Ray Romano Surprise Party
Ray Romano
Surprise Party for his 50th birthday
It is time for name-dropping and excuses to post this particular blog. What could attending a surprise birthday party have to do with travel? Not much, other than the difficulty of traveling in the famous Los Angeles traffic, and that was not fun. This is just an excuse to write about the funny events and people I met on Saturday night, December 1st.
It turns out my wife has been friends with Anna Romano for several years. They both have daughters the same age, who attend the same school, and became friends several years ago. Anna is a really neat lady with great values, easy to be with and has her feet grounded in reality, despite the circles she can run in.
With Ray it’s another story. He is far more talkative for his TV show than he is in person, except for people he knows really, really well, and I am not one of those. He seems rather shy, not outgoing. While I have been to dinner at his house, seen him repeatedly, had him at our house, I would bet dollars to donuts that he would not know my name to save his life.
Actually, I am really not much better. There are many people I have met several times and cannot remember their names. One of the reasons I call my children things like Guy, Sweetie, Baby, and Son is because I am terrible with names. I have called my daughter by my son’s name and vise versa. I have confused my grandson’s names with everything from my son’s name to any one of the three grandsons. The only thing I have not done, yet, is call one of the grandsons by a girl’s name, as there are no granddaughters.
Anyway, let’s get back to the Romano party and name-dropping. Anna did a great job of setting up the party; she really had Ray fooled. It took a full year to pull it off. A couple of months ago she had an invitation sent to Ray to attend a toy fundraiser for Christmas sponsored by Clint Eastwood, with special guest Rod Stewart. She got the permission from Clint and Rod to use their names for this surprise. Ray gets piles of invitations all the time, and most go into the trash. However, he knows Anna loves Rod Stewart, and Ray likes Clint Eastwood, so he brought home the invitation and asked Anna if she’d like to go. She said, “Sure, I’d love to go.” and the ball was rolling for the countdown to Ray’s surprise party.
A year earlier Ray said he didn’t want a surprise party for his birthday. He would figure any event near or in December would be an excuse for his party. He suspected a dinner party with writers from his show; a get together at Doris Robert’s house; or an invitation from Brad Garret could all be a ruse for his surprise party. She really got him with this invitation to a Clint Eastwood fundraiser. Ray spoke about how she really had him fooled and it was as funny as any Las Vegas standup routine.
The thrill for me was to meet Clint Eastwood. I am a big fan of his work, both as an actor and as a director. I admire him as a person and for the quality work that he does. I met Jason Alexander (from Seinfeld), Peter Bergman (Emmy winner from a daytime soap opera), played blackjack with Doris Roberts (she did really well), spoke for the first time with our neighbor Fred Willard (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Peter Guest movies and more) and had an encounter with Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm).
Meeting Larry David was a funny experience. My sister-in-law, Lisa, and my daughter are BIG fans of his show. They absolutely love it, but I cannot watch it. It is too over the top and he is just too obnoxious for me. I can take Hugh Laurie as Dr. House, but I cannot take Larry David. I don’t know why, but that’s just how it is. Maybe the difference is that “House” knows he is an asshole and people tell him that to his face. I don’t think Larry David is aware of how obnoxious he is. However, I can’t say this with any authority because I have not been able to get through more than one whole episode, and have tried it on at least four occasions.
Anyway, Larry was sitting at a table next to us, and Lisa said if he was there I should say hello to him for her. I walked over and asked if I could interrupt his conversation. He said, “Sure” and I proceeded to tell him my sister-in-law is a big fan of his. Unfortunately, as many in my family can attest, I am honest in my opinions, and I added that I am not able to watch his show. He asked me why and I said it was too over the top for me. He asked me what I meant and I tried to explain. Then he asked again, “What do you mean ‘over the top’?”
By now I felt like I was on his TV program and explained about the scene I watched where he was having lunch with a young Japanese man who’s father was a Kamikaze pilot and was now in a rest home. Larry was asking the young man how a Kamikaze pilot could be alive. “Did he just glance off a ship instead of killing himself?” His TV wife said his questions were offensive, but Larry said, “I’m just curious. I’m just asking some questions.” No, I say he was being a jerk. Despite the suggestions he was being offensive, he pursued with more rude questions. I couldn’t take it and turned it off. I felt embarrassed explaining this to Larry and said, “Don’t change a thing on account of me. People love your show.” And he said, “Don’t worry, I won’t.” I’m not sure if I am relieved.
All in all, it was a fun evening. Anna brought in a band from New York that Ray loves. He would go to the club next door after his stand up routine and stick around to listen to this band. There were plenty of things to keep the guests busy; three food stations, a beignet stand (like powdered donuts from New Orleans), gelato, candy, practice golf, photo guest book, dancing to the band, roulette and blackjack tables.
Rennie
Surprise Party for his 50th birthday
It is time for name-dropping and excuses to post this particular blog. What could attending a surprise birthday party have to do with travel? Not much, other than the difficulty of traveling in the famous Los Angeles traffic, and that was not fun. This is just an excuse to write about the funny events and people I met on Saturday night, December 1st.
It turns out my wife has been friends with Anna Romano for several years. They both have daughters the same age, who attend the same school, and became friends several years ago. Anna is a really neat lady with great values, easy to be with and has her feet grounded in reality, despite the circles she can run in.
With Ray it’s another story. He is far more talkative for his TV show than he is in person, except for people he knows really, really well, and I am not one of those. He seems rather shy, not outgoing. While I have been to dinner at his house, seen him repeatedly, had him at our house, I would bet dollars to donuts that he would not know my name to save his life.
Actually, I am really not much better. There are many people I have met several times and cannot remember their names. One of the reasons I call my children things like Guy, Sweetie, Baby, and Son is because I am terrible with names. I have called my daughter by my son’s name and vise versa. I have confused my grandson’s names with everything from my son’s name to any one of the three grandsons. The only thing I have not done, yet, is call one of the grandsons by a girl’s name, as there are no granddaughters.
Anyway, let’s get back to the Romano party and name-dropping. Anna did a great job of setting up the party; she really had Ray fooled. It took a full year to pull it off. A couple of months ago she had an invitation sent to Ray to attend a toy fundraiser for Christmas sponsored by Clint Eastwood, with special guest Rod Stewart. She got the permission from Clint and Rod to use their names for this surprise. Ray gets piles of invitations all the time, and most go into the trash. However, he knows Anna loves Rod Stewart, and Ray likes Clint Eastwood, so he brought home the invitation and asked Anna if she’d like to go. She said, “Sure, I’d love to go.” and the ball was rolling for the countdown to Ray’s surprise party.
A year earlier Ray said he didn’t want a surprise party for his birthday. He would figure any event near or in December would be an excuse for his party. He suspected a dinner party with writers from his show; a get together at Doris Robert’s house; or an invitation from Brad Garret could all be a ruse for his surprise party. She really got him with this invitation to a Clint Eastwood fundraiser. Ray spoke about how she really had him fooled and it was as funny as any Las Vegas standup routine.
The thrill for me was to meet Clint Eastwood. I am a big fan of his work, both as an actor and as a director. I admire him as a person and for the quality work that he does. I met Jason Alexander (from Seinfeld), Peter Bergman (Emmy winner from a daytime soap opera), played blackjack with Doris Roberts (she did really well), spoke for the first time with our neighbor Fred Willard (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Peter Guest movies and more) and had an encounter with Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm).
Meeting Larry David was a funny experience. My sister-in-law, Lisa, and my daughter are BIG fans of his show. They absolutely love it, but I cannot watch it. It is too over the top and he is just too obnoxious for me. I can take Hugh Laurie as Dr. House, but I cannot take Larry David. I don’t know why, but that’s just how it is. Maybe the difference is that “House” knows he is an asshole and people tell him that to his face. I don’t think Larry David is aware of how obnoxious he is. However, I can’t say this with any authority because I have not been able to get through more than one whole episode, and have tried it on at least four occasions.
Anyway, Larry was sitting at a table next to us, and Lisa said if he was there I should say hello to him for her. I walked over and asked if I could interrupt his conversation. He said, “Sure” and I proceeded to tell him my sister-in-law is a big fan of his. Unfortunately, as many in my family can attest, I am honest in my opinions, and I added that I am not able to watch his show. He asked me why and I said it was too over the top for me. He asked me what I meant and I tried to explain. Then he asked again, “What do you mean ‘over the top’?”
By now I felt like I was on his TV program and explained about the scene I watched where he was having lunch with a young Japanese man who’s father was a Kamikaze pilot and was now in a rest home. Larry was asking the young man how a Kamikaze pilot could be alive. “Did he just glance off a ship instead of killing himself?” His TV wife said his questions were offensive, but Larry said, “I’m just curious. I’m just asking some questions.” No, I say he was being a jerk. Despite the suggestions he was being offensive, he pursued with more rude questions. I couldn’t take it and turned it off. I felt embarrassed explaining this to Larry and said, “Don’t change a thing on account of me. People love your show.” And he said, “Don’t worry, I won’t.” I’m not sure if I am relieved.
All in all, it was a fun evening. Anna brought in a band from New York that Ray loves. He would go to the club next door after his stand up routine and stick around to listen to this band. There were plenty of things to keep the guests busy; three food stations, a beignet stand (like powdered donuts from New Orleans), gelato, candy, practice golf, photo guest book, dancing to the band, roulette and blackjack tables.
Rennie
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Travel by Bus
The weekend before Thanksgiving I had a plan to visit my daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, all of whom live in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas. I usually dread the drive because I do not know what the traffic could be like. A clear and easy 4-hour drive can turn into a clogged frustrating drive of 5 or 6 hours.
So I planned to take my motorcycle on this visit. It’s more like a two-wheeled car, but I can still get around traffic jams if I need to. I can carry the luggage I need, it has cruise control, am-fm and a cassette player, etc., and the weather report showed conditions would be ideal for a motorcycle ride.
My wife was not happy about this idea. Actually Dianne was quite upset about it. I did not want to drive a car; that was for sure. There are no trains that go to Las Vegas and I do not enjoy airports. Anyway, it was too late to book airfare at any reasonable price the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Someone suggested craigslist about sharing a ride with someone who would be going to Las Vegas. There were about 9 people going there, but the dates and times did not match up with what I wanted. Then I found a post for Megabus posted by someone who paid $8.50 for a ride to Las Vegas. Apparently if you plan well ahead, or on off hours, you can get there very cheaply. That was not my situation, but the regular fare was only $30 each way. That would have been the same as a tank of gas on my motorcycle each way at current prices.
I booked the trip online and got my confirmation. I left out of Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and got dropped off near the airport in Las Vegas where my daughter picked me up. The trip in each direction was great. The buses were really nice and clean. I saw a DVD movie on the way there and two movies on the way back, none of which I had seen before. I could read, work, sleep, or whatever I wanted. I did not have to concentrate on the road. I was grateful to take the bus home because my traffic fears were realized. There were way too many people leaving Las Vegas on Sunday at 1 pm and the road got jammed by Primm. It took an extra hour to get back to L.A., but I didn’t care. I was not driving. Even though there is a bathroom on the bus, we stopped in Barstow each way for a snack and bathroom break.
I highly recommend this bus service. It is new to the U.S. and only has 24 outbound cities and 9 destination routes. But it they are going where you want to go, it is a relaxing trip. Check them out at www.megabus.com
Rennie
So I planned to take my motorcycle on this visit. It’s more like a two-wheeled car, but I can still get around traffic jams if I need to. I can carry the luggage I need, it has cruise control, am-fm and a cassette player, etc., and the weather report showed conditions would be ideal for a motorcycle ride.
My wife was not happy about this idea. Actually Dianne was quite upset about it. I did not want to drive a car; that was for sure. There are no trains that go to Las Vegas and I do not enjoy airports. Anyway, it was too late to book airfare at any reasonable price the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Someone suggested craigslist about sharing a ride with someone who would be going to Las Vegas. There were about 9 people going there, but the dates and times did not match up with what I wanted. Then I found a post for Megabus posted by someone who paid $8.50 for a ride to Las Vegas. Apparently if you plan well ahead, or on off hours, you can get there very cheaply. That was not my situation, but the regular fare was only $30 each way. That would have been the same as a tank of gas on my motorcycle each way at current prices.
I booked the trip online and got my confirmation. I left out of Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and got dropped off near the airport in Las Vegas where my daughter picked me up. The trip in each direction was great. The buses were really nice and clean. I saw a DVD movie on the way there and two movies on the way back, none of which I had seen before. I could read, work, sleep, or whatever I wanted. I did not have to concentrate on the road. I was grateful to take the bus home because my traffic fears were realized. There were way too many people leaving Las Vegas on Sunday at 1 pm and the road got jammed by Primm. It took an extra hour to get back to L.A., but I didn’t care. I was not driving. Even though there is a bathroom on the bus, we stopped in Barstow each way for a snack and bathroom break.
I highly recommend this bus service. It is new to the U.S. and only has 24 outbound cities and 9 destination routes. But it they are going where you want to go, it is a relaxing trip. Check them out at www.megabus.com
Rennie
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Family Camp Vacation
Here is my style of travel; a drive from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. And here is my type of vacation; one week at Family Camp on the University of California at Santa Barbara campus.
For several years now I have attended this camp, either with my wife and her daughter or my daughter and her family. This past year it was my daughter, her husband and my two grandsons. Next year I get to add my son, his wife and their two children.
I usually go week 7, which usually falls around the second week of August. They have enough staff to fully care for the children. The children have fun. The adults have fun. The children have their activities and the adults have theirs. And the children and adults can also do things together from arts and crafts and skits to making soap-box cars and racing them.
All the sports facilities of the university are available; racquetball, basketball, softball, tennis, golf, weights, treadmills, etcetera. There is surfing, kayaking, swimming, biking, walking, hiking, movies and more that I cannot remember. One year I spent 3 days sitting around reading a book. I don’t get to do that at home. This year I got a certificate as a tri-athlete; I jogged 3 miles, rode my bike 26 miles and swam in a relay race.
They usually book up 9 months in advance, but if you want to know more you can visit their website at http://www.familyvacationcenter.com/
Rennie
For several years now I have attended this camp, either with my wife and her daughter or my daughter and her family. This past year it was my daughter, her husband and my two grandsons. Next year I get to add my son, his wife and their two children.
I usually go week 7, which usually falls around the second week of August. They have enough staff to fully care for the children. The children have fun. The adults have fun. The children have their activities and the adults have theirs. And the children and adults can also do things together from arts and crafts and skits to making soap-box cars and racing them.
All the sports facilities of the university are available; racquetball, basketball, softball, tennis, golf, weights, treadmills, etcetera. There is surfing, kayaking, swimming, biking, walking, hiking, movies and more that I cannot remember. One year I spent 3 days sitting around reading a book. I don’t get to do that at home. This year I got a certificate as a tri-athlete; I jogged 3 miles, rode my bike 26 miles and swam in a relay race.
They usually book up 9 months in advance, but if you want to know more you can visit their website at http://www.familyvacationcenter.com/
Rennie
Monday, July 23, 2007
Day 14 - Chicago
Travel day 14 – Chicago
July 12, 2007
It is Thursday, and on Friday Arielle will be in the art show based on the three weeks she spent at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Today the hotel moved our luggage for us to a regular room on the 33rd floor with a view of the lake and I took more photos. We head out for a walk and Dianne heads to the bank to get cash for Arielle.
It was about 11:30 am and time to figure out where to go for lunch. While standing on the street corner a lady walked up to us and asked if we needed some help. If we were in Los Angeles, I would be ready for the come-on, the gun, the con or just a request for money.
But we are in Chicago, and the lady was actually offering to help us for no other reason than we looked like out-of-towners and could be lost. She suggested the old Marshall Fields basement cafeteria (now Macys) for lunch, and it was great. Dianne wants to go where the locals go, not the tourists. The people here are scary nice.
Then a girl in sitting near us in the basement cafeteria noticed that we had our empty tray on the table next to us and asked if she could put it away for us. What the heck?? We told her how nice the people are in Chicago and it was such culture shock for us. Especially after being in Israel where people bump into you and keep on walking. The idea of someone saying, “Excuse me” in Israel would be unheard of. She explained she is a second generation from Chicago and her mom has lived in the same house for over 25 years.
We then purchased some pastries at another counter and the clerk said, “Have a nice day” and it sounded like she really meant it! Oh my gosh! The people in Chicago are so nice. Sure they have their panhandlers too, but so many people we met were just so nice. This is a really unique big American city.
July 12, 2007
It is Thursday, and on Friday Arielle will be in the art show based on the three weeks she spent at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Today the hotel moved our luggage for us to a regular room on the 33rd floor with a view of the lake and I took more photos. We head out for a walk and Dianne heads to the bank to get cash for Arielle.
It was about 11:30 am and time to figure out where to go for lunch. While standing on the street corner a lady walked up to us and asked if we needed some help. If we were in Los Angeles, I would be ready for the come-on, the gun, the con or just a request for money.
But we are in Chicago, and the lady was actually offering to help us for no other reason than we looked like out-of-towners and could be lost. She suggested the old Marshall Fields basement cafeteria (now Macys) for lunch, and it was great. Dianne wants to go where the locals go, not the tourists. The people here are scary nice.
Then a girl in sitting near us in the basement cafeteria noticed that we had our empty tray on the table next to us and asked if she could put it away for us. What the heck?? We told her how nice the people are in Chicago and it was such culture shock for us. Especially after being in Israel where people bump into you and keep on walking. The idea of someone saying, “Excuse me” in Israel would be unheard of. She explained she is a second generation from Chicago and her mom has lived in the same house for over 25 years.
We then purchased some pastries at another counter and the clerk said, “Have a nice day” and it sounded like she really meant it! Oh my gosh! The people in Chicago are so nice. Sure they have their panhandlers too, but so many people we met were just so nice. This is a really unique big American city.
Israel day 13 - horrible travel day
Israel day 13 – Travel to Chicago
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
We got to breakfast at 7 am and we were ready to leave Tel Aviv. A taxi was ordered to be at the hotel by 7:30 am. We arrived at the airport by 8 am for our 10:40 am flight. The taxi cost 120$ ($30 US).
The flight was delayed by an hour and we took off about 11:50 am heading for JFK airport in New York. Dianne was afraid we would miss our connecting flight to Chicago. Arielle was there for a three-week art program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I did want to visit Chicago after reading an article by John Cusack about what a great city it was and how much he loved it. So we planned the trip to spend a few days in Chicago and pick up Arielle before we go home to Los Angeles.
While on the plane I confirmed we would have about a three-hour layover, and Dianne was able to relax. We arrive in New York after an 11.5-hour flight. It was so strange to go from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv in 14 hours, and it would take about 5 hours to get from LA to NY. How come it takes 11.5 hours to get to NY when it should have been 9 hours?
Anyway, we get to New York at 3:50 pm local time and I check in for our flight to Chicago. I thought Dianne booked us on American Airlines, but it showed right on the itinerary that we were booked on Delta and the flight was schedule for 3 hours later at 7 pm.
Dianne cannot stand to wait around in an airport and the first thing she did was to try to get an earlier flight to Chicago. She was told the earliest flight was 7 pm. However, when I used the self-serve check-in, on the boarding pass is printed that the flight time was scheduled for 9 pm. I was confused: Our 7 pm flight is taking off at 9 pm; was our 7 pm flight cancelled? I checked in three hours ahead: Did we check in too late? Were we now on standby? The TV screen shows our flight as 7 pm and on time: What was going on here?
Dianne wanted an earlier flight so she would not have to wait 3 hours. What a laugh. I was hoping that we would actually fly out at 9 pm. Then we go to the Delta terminal and I heard the real horror stories: People who had to sleep overnight in the airport for delayed flights; cancelled flights; 2 days to get from Germany to New York, etc.
Dianne and I both had similar conversations. As we walked around the airport we asked, “Was it worthwhile to go through these types of travel nightmares to visit other lands?” We agreed it was like the labor to deliver a baby: It is hell, but when it’s over you forget about it. Thank goodness that was true, because I don’t want to travel anyway. If I was able to remember this hell, I certainly would not be willing to go again. However, it is always in the background of my mind and I always try to talk Dianne into traveling in the US. Good luck.
We were lucky; our flight only got delayed another hour to 10 pm. We get on the plane and then sit on the ground for another hour. We finally arrived in Chicago just after midnight local time. By the time we got into our hotel room we traveled 30 hours to get from Tel Aviv to Chicago.
And it is now Wednesday, July 11 and Dianne’s birthday. It is 12:30 am and Dianne speaks to the man at the reservations desk, tells them it’s her birthday and asks if she can get an upgraded room. WOW, we got a huge suite on the 45th floor with a rack rate of $1000 per night. I took lots of photos.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
We got to breakfast at 7 am and we were ready to leave Tel Aviv. A taxi was ordered to be at the hotel by 7:30 am. We arrived at the airport by 8 am for our 10:40 am flight. The taxi cost 120$ ($30 US).
The flight was delayed by an hour and we took off about 11:50 am heading for JFK airport in New York. Dianne was afraid we would miss our connecting flight to Chicago. Arielle was there for a three-week art program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I did want to visit Chicago after reading an article by John Cusack about what a great city it was and how much he loved it. So we planned the trip to spend a few days in Chicago and pick up Arielle before we go home to Los Angeles.
While on the plane I confirmed we would have about a three-hour layover, and Dianne was able to relax. We arrive in New York after an 11.5-hour flight. It was so strange to go from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv in 14 hours, and it would take about 5 hours to get from LA to NY. How come it takes 11.5 hours to get to NY when it should have been 9 hours?
Anyway, we get to New York at 3:50 pm local time and I check in for our flight to Chicago. I thought Dianne booked us on American Airlines, but it showed right on the itinerary that we were booked on Delta and the flight was schedule for 3 hours later at 7 pm.
Dianne cannot stand to wait around in an airport and the first thing she did was to try to get an earlier flight to Chicago. She was told the earliest flight was 7 pm. However, when I used the self-serve check-in, on the boarding pass is printed that the flight time was scheduled for 9 pm. I was confused: Our 7 pm flight is taking off at 9 pm; was our 7 pm flight cancelled? I checked in three hours ahead: Did we check in too late? Were we now on standby? The TV screen shows our flight as 7 pm and on time: What was going on here?
Dianne wanted an earlier flight so she would not have to wait 3 hours. What a laugh. I was hoping that we would actually fly out at 9 pm. Then we go to the Delta terminal and I heard the real horror stories: People who had to sleep overnight in the airport for delayed flights; cancelled flights; 2 days to get from Germany to New York, etc.
Dianne and I both had similar conversations. As we walked around the airport we asked, “Was it worthwhile to go through these types of travel nightmares to visit other lands?” We agreed it was like the labor to deliver a baby: It is hell, but when it’s over you forget about it. Thank goodness that was true, because I don’t want to travel anyway. If I was able to remember this hell, I certainly would not be willing to go again. However, it is always in the background of my mind and I always try to talk Dianne into traveling in the US. Good luck.
We were lucky; our flight only got delayed another hour to 10 pm. We get on the plane and then sit on the ground for another hour. We finally arrived in Chicago just after midnight local time. By the time we got into our hotel room we traveled 30 hours to get from Tel Aviv to Chicago.
And it is now Wednesday, July 11 and Dianne’s birthday. It is 12:30 am and Dianne speaks to the man at the reservations desk, tells them it’s her birthday and asks if she can get an upgraded room. WOW, we got a huge suite on the 45th floor with a rack rate of $1000 per night. I took lots of photos.
Israel day 10, 11 & 12
Israel day 10, 11 & 12
July 7 - 9, 2007 – Tel Aviv
Day 10, July 7 – Saturday
It is Saturday and our first day in Tel Aviv. Ron dropped us off last night and I parked the car in a parking lot across the street from our hotel. The Mediterranean Sea and beach is on the west side of the parking lot and our hotel is on the east side of the parking lot, so we have an uninterrupted view of the beach and sea.
Ron told us ahead of time that there was not much to see in Tel Aviv, it was another new city, only 150 years old, so we didn’t need a guide here. So Dianne and I choose to go to Gordon beach (based on the Frommer’s Guide) that is now called La La Land Beach.
After nine days of touring, visiting museums, archeological sites, and learning about Israel I was full. A day at the beach; sitting still; reading; writing my travel blog was just a treat. Dianne was nice enough to cooperate and sit still for two and a half hours. And, because it was a Saturday in Israel most places are closed. I later found out Dianne wasn’t feeling well. So besides everything being closed that was probably the reason she was able to sit still.
Israel day 11
July 8, 2007 – Sunday
We have not used the Budget rental car in 2 days; I don’t plan to use it; I don’t want to use it to drive to the airport; and I don’t want to drive in this city. So I turned it in a couple of days early. What I save on the car, even after paying the extra for letting Ron drive it, more than makes up for any taxi fare to the airport.
Dianne decides she wants to go to the open air flea market and the Old City of Jaffa which is on the south of Tel Aviv. We start walking to the flea market, and I was a little unsure of finding the flea market, and Dianne was still not feeling well, so half way there we took a cab and it was only $4. We had a good time and it was an easy walk to Jaffa. Unfortunately, Dianne was getting worse so we didn’t have a chance to see much and took a cab back to the hotel.
We knew we were ready to leave Tel Aviv, but we had to wait until Tuesday for our scheduled flight.
Israel day 12
July 9, 2007 – Monday
It’s July 22, and Dianne felt so bad that she just stayed in bed all day. Yesterday she also felt sick, but still had to keep up her tour. Me, I could have gone to the beach for another day. I’ve got plenty of sunscreen and reading materials. For Dianne to not tour, she has to be ready to drop. I used the time to do more writing.
July 7 - 9, 2007 – Tel Aviv
Day 10, July 7 – Saturday
It is Saturday and our first day in Tel Aviv. Ron dropped us off last night and I parked the car in a parking lot across the street from our hotel. The Mediterranean Sea and beach is on the west side of the parking lot and our hotel is on the east side of the parking lot, so we have an uninterrupted view of the beach and sea.
Ron told us ahead of time that there was not much to see in Tel Aviv, it was another new city, only 150 years old, so we didn’t need a guide here. So Dianne and I choose to go to Gordon beach (based on the Frommer’s Guide) that is now called La La Land Beach.
After nine days of touring, visiting museums, archeological sites, and learning about Israel I was full. A day at the beach; sitting still; reading; writing my travel blog was just a treat. Dianne was nice enough to cooperate and sit still for two and a half hours. And, because it was a Saturday in Israel most places are closed. I later found out Dianne wasn’t feeling well. So besides everything being closed that was probably the reason she was able to sit still.
Israel day 11
July 8, 2007 – Sunday
We have not used the Budget rental car in 2 days; I don’t plan to use it; I don’t want to use it to drive to the airport; and I don’t want to drive in this city. So I turned it in a couple of days early. What I save on the car, even after paying the extra for letting Ron drive it, more than makes up for any taxi fare to the airport.
Dianne decides she wants to go to the open air flea market and the Old City of Jaffa which is on the south of Tel Aviv. We start walking to the flea market, and I was a little unsure of finding the flea market, and Dianne was still not feeling well, so half way there we took a cab and it was only $4. We had a good time and it was an easy walk to Jaffa. Unfortunately, Dianne was getting worse so we didn’t have a chance to see much and took a cab back to the hotel.
We knew we were ready to leave Tel Aviv, but we had to wait until Tuesday for our scheduled flight.
Israel day 12
July 9, 2007 – Monday
It’s July 22, and Dianne felt so bad that she just stayed in bed all day. Yesterday she also felt sick, but still had to keep up her tour. Me, I could have gone to the beach for another day. I’ve got plenty of sunscreen and reading materials. For Dianne to not tour, she has to be ready to drop. I used the time to do more writing.
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