Big day tomorrow

Sitting here in the evening watching the news of the hurricane, emailing and speaking with our family and friends back home, my heart breaks for all those sitting out the storm back home......especially given the beautiful day Azzy and I had on the beach in Herliya!  The Mediterranean was calm and as flat and sparkling as a mirror, and the sunset glorious.

We are heading north to Shavei Tzion, near Akko, tomorrow morning to meet up with everyone on the ride, put together my bike and get ready to start riding early Wednesday morning. I remember how nervous I was the night before it all began in 2008 when i did my first ride. I honestly wasn't sure what made me think I could accomplish a bike ride of this magnitude. In 2010, although I'd proven to myself that I could do it, I was once again besot by nerves. And here I am again in 2012 - older but apparently not a bit wiser!  I'm still nervous! But I'm also excited. So many familiar faces will be with me, many of whom had to move mountains - or at least airlines - to get here despite Hurricane Sandy.

Our beach house in Sea Isle City is in the direct line of Sandy's landfall, expected to occur in about 1/2 hour. I'm watching it on TV. And yet, although I really hope that the house survives, I know that mortar and bricks are replaceable. The lives within are not. I pray that the damage this hurricane leaves in her wake will be limited to mortar and brick, but that all those affected remain safe.

Feeling guilty....

I'm beginning to feel a bit guilty for having gotten here to Israel on Friday with no problems and just a sprinkle of rain. So many of my fellow riders are having problems rescheduling cancelled flights (compliments of Hurricane Sandy).  Even Art and Carol Gould's arrival from the west coast is dubious since they were to fly through JFK. I really, really hope everyone makes it here safe and sound, even if a few days late!

Azzy and I have been enjoying a few days of family and friends. The old city of Jaffa was hopping this evening with Eid celebrations. The city is becoming the new hot spot for young and old. Galleries, restaurants and boutiques mixing in with the old flea market ("shuk ha pishpishim") in typical middle eastern style, with the brilliant Mediterranean steps away. What a wonderful afternoon!  We used to stop on our way to the airport to buy Abulafiah bagels to bring home to the kids, so of course we had to stop to make sure they are still the same delicious sesame seed and za'ata covered delicacies. Yup - they are!

One more day of indoor biking in the hotel gym, then it's up to the kibbutz to assemble my bike (with help!) and make sure all is in working order, and meet up with all the riders who who made it here despite Sandy.  I can't wait!

We arrived in Israel at 8:30 this morning local time, and were met by a real surprise.......rain! Unusual for this time of the year, the rain came and went several times during the day but was rather mild. The forecast from now on seems to be perfect......75-85 days, upper 60s to 70s in the evening, with no Hurricanes threatening to hit. We are relaxing at the hotel in Kfar Maccabiah till Shabbat dinner. Check out the view from our balcony of the Tel Aviv skyline!

I hope all of you back home escape Sandy's wrath and stay safe.
Shabbat shalom to all!

It's Thursday, October 25 and Azzy and I are frantically doing our usual last minute packing.  Out flight leaves for Tel Aviv at 4pm today.  My third Arava Institute Hazon Bike Ride (aka, the Israel Ride) is a week away, and I'm getting really excited.  We were honored with an aliyah at this morning's minyan, a traveler's prayer and an incredible, delicious breakfast thanks to Muriel and Steve Horowitz!  In his usual fashion, Rabbi Neal explained to us how this week's Torah portion - Lech L'cha - is perfect for someone embarking on a "Vision" (the meaning of Hazon) and heading south, just as Abraham did when told by the Almighty "go forth to the land of Canaan"(yes, we ride from north to south). We'll ignore the fact that camel and bike travel can be a bit different, but somehow the Torah portion of the week always seems to fit perfectly.  Amazing, no?  Thank you to all those who attended the minyan this morning and contributed to such a wonderful send-off!

I will keep you all posted as often as possible from the road.  Please know that your support and encouragement continue to push me along on this journey.  I am honored and humbled by the volume of responses I've gotten, and hope I can do you all proud.  The Arava Institute is something I whole heartedly believe in, and I am thrilled to be able to be a bridge of some sort between them and our community here back home.

The next post will be from Israel.  Stay well, and "talk" to you soon!
Paula