Looks like I may have scored some editing work at the ABC in Jerusalem. Fancy that. Their editor is going out of town… well, to Iraq specifically, and they could use someone to edit in his place. Cool. I’m going in on Wednesday. More info when it happens. The ABC’s new office block in downtown Jerusalem. Art Deco.

The main reason I’m here in Israel is to visit mums aunt Alla. Mum has been visiting her almost daily and she spent Passover with her on Saturday night. I’ve spent some time with her but not enough (when is it ever!?!?!). Self portrait with Alla. She loved that mum prepared a Passover meal for her. The last time she had Passover was about 13 years ago. I wish I joined them. The next day [...]

I call this one Peach Testicles.

Dogs are much welcomed into bars, cafes and other indoor areas. As strange as it seems to us westerners, it is very common to be sitting in a bar at 1am, drinking a beer and seeing a dog walk past, lapping up some water in a bowl by the door. The other night I met Miko, whose owner was having a game of pool. Miko wanted to get in on the action and allowed me [...]

Saturday night was Passover and I went with Cocka, her mother and son Erez to Haifa, about an hour and a half to the north. Erez drove like a devil averaging about 130kph. I tried not to panic as he rode the tails of cars in front and swerved in and out of traffic.

Let it be said that I am not one to quickly judge, label or stereotype, but all taxi drivers are the same slimey, rip off merchants, bent on squeezing what hard earned shekels you have into their clammy paws. This is true of all taxi drivers….except my friend Michael Erlbaum. He is the only decent one out there.

I’ve decided that you can’t see Israel in 3 weeks, so I’m extending my stay a few extra weeks. Anyone I owe money to will have to wait a little longer. Unless you want shekels! A quiet Saturday in lead up to the first night of Passover, or Pasach, tonight. I have been invited by Cocka to join her, Erez and her mother, at her friends home in Haifa, about an hour drive north. More [...]

Thursday 17th April. After my long walk around the Old City yesterday I wasn’t going to be doing much of the same today. Today is slow and easy.

Wednesday the 16th of April. I’m counterbalancing the healthy walking with doses of felafel, beer and kosher pickles. I’m getting a tan but not on my bloody legs where I want it the most. Is it the hair? Should I shave my legs? Is that kosher here?

Continuing the trip to Netanya and our visit to Rinat, Sigalit and Sivan. The last time I saw them was 22 years ago, although I did see Sigalit when she came to Brisbane in 2002. I was very excited to see them. Mum catches up on all the aunty/neices mothering and nagging. See larger.

I can’t believe we’ve been here for a week. It feels like ages ago we got here…at the most 7 days! Probably due to all the looking about and walking everywhere time goes slowly. Hummus does that to you…makes… you… slow… eh?

My feet are fucking killing me. It’s the price you must pay silly tourista! Sunday and I’m up early and off to do some more sightseeing around the city. Poor man. Try some bran. A local punk band. The Testicles are quite big in Tel Aviv.

The afternoon after the night before. Not that I drunk a lot but a good 8 hours sleep had me feeling refreshed and ready to head out for some more punishment. My feet were killing me but the desire to explore outweighed any discomfort felt in my feet, legs, back and neck. Nothing really. I saw this guy who had a ripper of a scooter. He really liked music. He never heard of an ipod. [...]

Friday evening. Had a quick nap at Leons. At about 9pm we drove back to Tel Aviv, only about 30 mins away in mild traffic. A quick bite and we headed out to the bar/club district of south Tel Aviv. After being rejected from several clubs for being too Jewish looking we settled on a quiter bar in Florentin. After chatting up the bargirl and playing spot the Shiksah we called it a night at [...]