The Store and the Beach...kind of

Yesterday I planted about 135x15 seeds. It was a lot but it was good to get it out of the way. I planted broccoli, onion, dill, beets, and some package that was only in Hebrew. After that I was happy to be done. It was a quiet day and Amir made some pasta for lunch. I had the rest of the day off and decided to take a walk to the grocery store. It was a decent size. I got a bottle of water and a bottle of Sprite (with the heat, I was craving Sprite and Coke each time I went to the fridge). I picked up some shampoo and some tomatoes. I had a simple sandwich with a tomato salad.

Today I woke up early (thanks to the 3am wake up call rooster) and began weeding. I weeded all through the onions, lettuce, peppers, eggplant, beets, asparagus, and some other items that I could not identify. It was getting hot and I kept getting water hoping that it would be enough to keep me hydrated in the heat.
Then I planted strawberries, parsley, cauliflower and something that I do not know. It was so gross and I really wanted to shower but decided to head to the beach. So with a wonderfully drawn map from Jonathan, I began my walk. Amir said 7 minutes, Jonathan said 30; the result: 45. But I did not really know where I was going and I was walking slowly. Along the way I passed land that a guy makes Earth Art on. I will get a camera to show you. It was cool and I was glad for it since my directions to the beach lead me to dirt roads and the art was used for landmarks; right at totem pole, left and boobies, etc.

I could see the water from the distance and it reminded me of my pictures from Hawaii. There are all cliffs and the directions that I got should have lead me to the water…but the path I found was STEEP. It was hot and I just decided to go for it. Let’s just say that this was not a path that I would ever take my family on. Honestly, don’t know how I made it down without breaking something…not to mention the whole time I feared stepped on some sand animal’s home and being bitten (only come across one poisonous creature in Israel thus far…that I know of).

As I was making my oh slow decent to the beach I saw a man like stroll on down another path. I was so shocked that he had an easy path and I did not! I made it down to a sign that said “Danger, stay away from cliff” as I continued I was met by three more of these signs…ah yes I guess this was not the path Jonathan meant for me to take. I took note of the correct path and went to the water!

It was so nice and cool but the sun was setting and I was nervous about getting wet, not drying, getting back before it was dark, etc etc. Yes, I know, worry wart. I went in up to my thighs and admired the shipwreck that was in front of me. I did not stay long after that as I noticed there were only men on the beach and again, it was getting dark.

I headed back using the path I saw the man taking. It was so easy, it was great. There are all sorts of hiking trails but I did not want to be on a trail, I wanted to go home! Luckily for me, the boobie art was in sight and I got back on track. Along the dusty trail Amir pulled up. He asked how the waves were and then headed to the water. I totally would have gone and hitched a ride with him if I knew he was going!

I stopped at the convenience store, picked up another bottle of water and an ice cream. Despite being told Israel has “the best ice cream” I think it just tastes dang good since it is to hot outside. Not sure though, maybe elsewhere is better ice cream. As for the water; they say that you can drink the water but I got sick the last time I was in Israel and I was warned not to drink it. I found something that said you can drink it but beware if you have a sensitive stomach. I have been drinking water from Amir’s sink and I am thinking that is the only tap water that I will drink. I get the bottled water so that I do not over dose on the regular water, just to make me feel better.

I headed home and made dinner. Correction to the animal list: there are 5 dogs, 7+ cats, 1 duck, 10 chickens, 1 rooster, 2 pigeons who think that they are chickens, and lots of frogs.