Dedication: Leelia-my friend from Israel.
This blog reminds me of her and the time spent during that Dec-06 Israel Trip, we made friends when she read my Haifa Blog, I met her at the Indira restaurant, Tel-aviv.
My flight lasted less than half an hour (Larnaka to Tel-Aviv). The taxi driver overcharged me (perhaps for the sexy jokes, he told me all the way :P) , I could do nothing about that. But there I was at the Grand Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv. Beautiful location, near the beach, a cool hotel. (Picture- View from the Hotel)I got to the office next day, met all my colleagues, got busy with work. In the evening I called Leelia, and we planned to meet at Indira restaurant. I was there at time, we went around for a walk, and she showed me all the places around (Museums, Commercial blocks, cinema, Ministers and Rabbi's office) as we stood right in the heart of the city.
The food was nice, and even nicer was her company, I was so excited to go there, and know more about the country, very few people get to know. And, Leelia was that person, I appreciate her efforts in showing me around all the places.
The next time we met, we went to the Old city of Jaffa, it was a beautiful place. Located at the outskirts of the city, it boasted of old buildings and a church and many old looking houses (which worth a lot of money, owing to their location). The thing to remember from this Jaffa visit was that old antique shop, where we had some good happy momnets with the owner of the shop. (Picture- The antique shop)On our way back, she got me a Jalebi look (taste) alike sweet, that was tasty. Look closely at the Jalebi in my hand.
The weekend was very busy, Sat morning, we went to see the Tel-Aviv University campus and saw the museum at the campus. It's the largest university in Israel and the biggest Jewish university in the world. Leelia was proud alumni of the University. The campus was amamzing, it had all the departments History, politics, engineering, Social Sciences, The Department of Psychology etc.
The Jewish Diaspora Museum is one of the biggest museums in the world, located on the campus of Tel Aviv University. Leelia explained me all the pictures and other stuff, while I was busy with my camera. We saw the documentary at the auditorium, that narrated the entire hhistory of Jews and how Israel came into existence, it was excellent.
We saw the Synagogue at the campus, and then we took the Bus to go to a near by mall. I didnt buy anything from that big mall, there were shops for everything.
Then we went to a Market (Indian style market), people selling their hand made articles, I got to see the best of creativity and hard work. I bought a necklace for my sister, and Leelia got me a falafal as a souvenir. That falafal is smiling, stuck at the refrigerator at my home in New Delhi, India.
Then we went to the Vegetable market (it was more of the Indian style Sabji-mandi), with shopkeepers shouting, to sell their vegetables. That was funny indeed. Unfortunately, Leelia had to explain to some people, as to who I was, and what I was doing in that place with her, and she had to explain this more than once (As some thought, I am an alien from some unknown planet :P). But, with the confidence she has got, it was not an issue.
After shopping for the vegetables, we took a walk down the beach road and I reached my hotel walking. We happen to see the embassies for many countries as we walked along the road to my hotel.
For sunday, we planned to have dinner together at one of her friends place, I was the chef for the day, and luckily I got everything right, rice , chapati daal , all were on the spot, everyone was full of praise for me. Leelia had brought all her Indian utensils (Cooker, tava etc).
That was a remarkable weekend, saw so many places, that was a short trip, else we had plans to go to Jerusalem and other beautiful places around.
Over the next couple of days, we ate together at 'Sab Kuch Milega' an Indian Restaurant, with a unique style of serving. The youth smoking and drinking at the bar, as we enjoyed our buffet. And, we ate at another good restaurant, it was good, but I couldn't find much to my desire, being a pure-veg is a problem outside India.
The day before I left Israel for Cyprus, I went to Leelia's house, met her parents, they were so nice. Leelia had a cute little doggy, who was scared of me, until we made friends. Again I was the chef, we ate rajma chawal, cooked with Leelia's help.
My such a sweet trip had come to an end, but it was a happy ending, as I headed for India in a couple of days time, to celebrate the new year with my family.
Disclaimer: All view are my own, and the events listed may not be in the correct chronological order.
