Allow for a bit
o' diary ---- At first, we took off for a two hour journey with a hotel spot in
Tel Aviv for 5 hours of sleep at 5pm---to wake up at 3a.m (after trying
for over three hours to sleep, for an airport shuttle back to the airport
for a 3 hour wait on a very confusing airline arrangement---Iberian Air through
El Al ----hard or figure --- after much ado, got it straight---but got to an
immense line since now our three hour early arrival did not pay off!
So with hardly
a solid wink ---- we were shoved into a nasty spot ----- illuminated by a
multitude of what seemed out-of-space tiny flickering screens---no one looking
out --- (all shades drawn). I could not look at one AND could not get a wink.
This was a 7
hour flight to Madrid!!
And so after
long airport sit-ins, we boarded yet another plane to be seated for
several hours----after a stopover of 5 hours in JFK --- winter frost was
dazzling as we took off for airport transport on a bus of what seemed like 200
souls--who were remaining enchanted by BIG TRAVEL --crammed like war
hostages----.We were hardly dressed suitably for NYC----cold horror!
The friendship
of a couple was our first descent---in Orlando at MIDNIGHT---- they were dear
enough to pick us up in the baggage claim.
The woman had
been my former roommate in Oakland, CA. The three day stay in utter luxury (in
a 5 star Time Share----a Marriott acquisition which can take you all over the
world!) was a grand reunion. They had come to visit us in Safed (Israel) for Rosh
Ha Shana about 7 years ago.
After that,
things went downhill, both for chosen locations (Davenport & Davie,
Florida---a week each) in lost -on -the map locations---taking a well trained
(GPS) car at every moment for local transport to any sign of civilization or
place of interest. Yes, a great play area for kids (which is what the WHOLE
trip amounted to)----and a Jacuzzi---outdoor & indoor---a very long kids'
pool--and three exercise machines----all a few blocks from a extenuated prison
block of small renter houses which proved to be a very tight and
"unprivate" living space!
Florida was
very cold---with Tornado warning in the north --- (Orlando)--and thunder storms
for two out of the three days there!
Perhaps more
details than you require---the ethos being that we felt crowded out--both
emotionally and physically to the extent that we were notified of the day's
plans--not voted in!
I did make it
to a great Yoga class in Kissimmee with the other mother-in-law and my
daughter-in-law--a historic town really worth the visit--- a truly
untouched gem---antique delicacy---all gone in most of Florida----all “malled
out” with body therapy and nail emporiums every quarter of a mile!
Our last two
days if this journey were delightful in a hotel for a night in
Miami----friendship visits---and freedom from the emotional cramping.
I did enjoy my
nearly 7 year old granddaughter---she is almost a fluent Spanish speaker (in a
special school) and learned s few Hebrew songs from me----and was highly
communicative in talks! What a treat---but I was not surprised!
She was like
that 2& 1/2 years ago when we visited her at home.
The selection against
Miami and in favor of DAVIE (!) was due to the other mother-in-law
whose parents had lived there later in life.
Aerial disaster
was to complicate the ride home from Miami to Barcelona------while cramping
refugee style with a small single pillow which could have been to used to
stifle my cries of fear as the plane went through deep turbulence several times
without pilot warning.
Each time a long
period of serious nighttime turbulent periods, the pilot announced that it had
not shown up on the computer, and therefore had not been announced.
I have had very
serious air travel throughout many years, but never anything so
frightening in the middle of the night.
David had to
sit right behind me in the very back row, and I wound my left hand around to
take hold of his, feeling that the plane would be crashing. I cried and cried.
So much for the
longest journey on our way back to Israel----once again through Spain!
An old Jewish American
friend, living in Mexico, once uttered the highest form of travel truth:
When David
& I asked her how she enjoyed her vacation knowing how much she loved to
travel, she replied:
I went to Miami
to be with family. You call that travel?!?
May I never
forget that wisdom, and not fail to keep her sentiment alive.
My husband and
I decided---"this is it!"---NO MORE 24 hours on planes and in waiting
rooms---no more 24 hour eyes open---cramped like Nazi prisoners on spaceless,
gnawing stool like seats------
Sorry for not
making this more idyllic---but truth deserves to be acknowledged.
Next week I plan
to resume more positive input!
Miss Rheingold
