Ahalan and shalom from the Katamom in Jerusalem! Pentheus, the WK, the CK, and I arrived in Israel last night after an uneventful trip from Boston. As you may remember, the last time I wrote, the WK and I were in Israel for some chofesh (vacation) but also to check out and start planning for the WK's Bar Mitzvah. That was late August, and suddenly we're already at mid-April - how the hell did that happen so fast!?!
We have rented an apartment in Katamon (the same neighborhood where we lived in 2012) for a week, and it's great to be back in the 'hood. The CK and I walked around for a while this morning, and it was fun watching him remember places and stories from our time here. The CK is now 9 (almost 10, he would have me inform you), and some of his memories are a bit foggy. It was hilarious how he remembered every makolet (convenient store) where he had bought an artik (frozen popsicle), and the CK swears that the chatool (cat) we saw this morning is the very same one from 2 1/2 years ago!
We landed around 8:15 last night and only had to wait a little while to get through Passport Control and customs. After we landed, I was totally overcome with emotions - good, bad, sad, excited, (plus really tired) and started to sob. I had pulled myself together by the time we had to talk to the man who asked us questions as he checked our passports. When he asked why we were in Israel, it was very exciting to say, "For my son's Bar Mitzvah." Of course, the guard wished the WK "mazel tov" and let us through.
We didn't get to sleep until after midnight or so (and I think that Pentheus was awake until 3 am) and woke up at 5:30 am, 90 minutes before the alarm was set to go off. Pentheus and the WK went to synagogue early, so that they could see what the room looks like for services. (Shir Hadash, our synagogue here, is renting new space than when we were here in 2012. Shir Hadash is now renting from another synagogue, Ohel Nechama, right next door to the Jerusalem Theatre.) The CK and I walked to Café Duvshaneet, my old favorite, for some natool and a cinnamon roll. My friend, the manager, wasn't there yet, so I didn't get to see him.
The CK and I then joined Pentheus and the WK at synagogue. The way the room was set up, the men had 4/5ths of the space, and there was barely room for the other 2 women and me in the "women's section" behind the mechitzah (separator). When we have the WK's service on Thursday morning, we will definitely be rearranging the room - that's one of the reasons we wanted to make sure we saw the space today.
After t'fillot (services), we walked to Katamon Hayeshana, the restaurant where we will eat after the Bar Mitzvah. The WK loves this place for its toast and jam - sounds silly, I know, but the boy is definitely onto something - it is so delicious!! The WK and I ordered Crispy Simi (the name for the toast, jam, and cheese breakfast plate), while the CK had Belgian waffle, and Pentheus had shakshuka (http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2010/07/summer-2010-travel-blog-shakshuka/), which he enjoyed a lot!
We went back to the dira for a bit. I rested while the boys did some unpacking, reading, and watching TV. Around 1:15, we took a cab downtown to do a bunch of errands and to walk around. We had stopped at the flower shop near Katamon Hayeshana after breakfast and ordered some flower arrangements for the room where the Bar Mitzvah will be. It was kind of funny how clueless we were about what to order, how much to spend, etc. The guy at the shop was very helpful, and we put together what (we hope!) will be some pretty arrangements. We were trying to figure out when/how to pick the arrangements up before Thursday morning. The store doesn't open until 9 and we need to be there before 8:30. The guy told us not to worry, and showed us where he has his cell number taped to the front window of the shop, so that people can call him whenever they want. While we were talking with the man about the flower order and we had told him we were here a couple of years ago and that our son wanted to come back for his Bar Mitzvah, he asked why we hadn't thought about making aliya? We're here only 15 hours, and we already got the question! (He thinks we should move to Israel, though wanted to let us know it's kashe (hard).
While we were downtown, we bought some kippot (yarmulkes) for men and k'suee rosh nashim (head coverings for women) in case our friends and family don't have them for the Bar Mitzvah service. Plus we picked up some gifts for my nieces, a necklace for the CK, plus some other gifts. We went into a bunch of women's hat stores, and I had a great time. I love hats! We had a late lunch of shwarma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma) pita bread and the CK had steak on a baguette.
After some napping and downtime at the dira after the shopping, we headed out to Emek Refaim, onethe main streets of shops and restaurants in this area. One of our standby restaurants is no longer there, which bummed out the WK, who was looking for pasta for dinner. (I think it's funny that the WK was upset - he doesn't like anything, and I mean anything, on his pasta, so in theory, it's pretty much the same wherever we go.) We ate dinner at a different Italian place, and it was okay. Pentheus and the WK went back to the dira while the CK got some ice-cream (second time today!) and I went to Aroma for some natool. (I took a couple of pictures, but haven't figured out how to include them in the post yet.) Aroma is kind of the Starbucks of Israel - primarily a coffee house with some food and sweets, and a bunch of small tables for sitting and shmoozing. Aroma is known for giving mini chocolate bars with every coffee order, so the boys like going there with me. Anyway, while the CK and I were waiting for my natool to be ready, there was a table of 3-4 men who were being kind of loud. Suddenly, a man from another table started screaming in Hebrew, "Ahl titzahk; ze café tzeeboree" (Don't yell; this is a public café!") I mean, he screamed it very loudly. After I translated what he said, the CK said to me, "that's kind of ironic."
Now we're back at the dira and hopefully we'll all get a good night's sleep. We're definitely cranky, and we've got an exciting week ahead! More soon. Laila tov (good night)!
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