Guns, Guns, Guns

So today I was up and blogging early, My Beloved called and said he was away to Herzliya just for a change and would I like to go with him, because I was blogging I decided against it, but then after a while I called him, being a woman I had changed my mind, the trouble was he was half way there, so decision made I would get the train and meet him for lunch and check out the parts of Herzliya shopping centres I missed last week due to Shabbat.

So I finished my blog, got directions from Moar at reception, simples.  I had to take a train to Bejamina, change trains for Herzliya, or I could stay on the train which was fast from Benjamina to Tel aviv, then return back to Herzliys. I decided change at Benjamina would be best. So I ordered my taxi to take me to the train station, I purchased my ticket and I was Herzliya bound.

On the platform I was surrounded by lots of shiny weapons, not actually pointed at me or I would have been crying, but all the young soldiers were obviously traveling today, the place was mobbed, they weren't in groups, they were just young folk traveling in different directions, some with rucksacks and guns, some with suitcases no guns, and some just with guns, I'm desperate to get a photo of one of these soldiers and their guns but currently my courage is not high enough to ask, but I will.

Back to my train journey, so the train arrived and I found myself a seat, the train was busy, and I settled down for my journey which turned out to be two stops before I needed to change trains, when I arrived at Benjamina I descended from the train onto the platform, asked a guard which platform for Herzliya and was told 3. So I went through the underpass to the platform and once again I was surrounded by more soldiers and their guns, and cases, just then My Beloved called and whilst chatting to him I got on to my first double decker train, following all the shiny guns on board, no seat this time, but imagine my shock when the doors shut, I was heading back to Haifa, I was on the wrong side of platform 3, I was on 2......So when the train arrived back in Haifa I went down the underpass across to the same platform I had started on and waited for the next train. Not a good start to my first train journey in Israel, but unperturbed I got the next train to Benjamina, got off and found the correct train, how? because I asked a young soldier, I will get that photo yet. So now Im on a double decker again, this time traveling in the right direction.

I met My Beloved for lunch and we decided on Chocolate, Max Brenner style, so Caesar salad it was, then My Beloved left me to go back to work and I told the waitress 'bring me something nice', and so she did

Heaven, pure Heaven, I love this shop they even do Chocolate Pizza unbelievable and its such a busy shop, I love people watching I always have, I think I could turn professional, but watching the people and their different chocolate orders is amazing, I have found that it pays to ask 'What's at'.... because some of the things I have seen delivered to peoples tables are not always on the menu and thats how you learn what the locals eat.

So I waddled my way up to Seven Star centre to continue the shopping I couldn't get done on Shabbat, I am now the proud owner of 3 tops, 1 cardigan, 1 dress and a pair of trousers, obviously I need them but where I'm going to keep them until we move into our new abode is anyones business. I have found that the Israeli's are very helpful, if you talk to them they will warm to you very quickly, they have a reputation for being guarded, and yes they are, but you would be too if your were surrounded by unfriendly neighbouring countries and your back had to be watched constantly. I have found nothing but kindness and friendliness since arriving.

My Beloved called to say he was finished, and where was I, so I gave him directions and waited, and waited, and waited, next call and his GPS does not like the directions and he can't find me, he tried one more time but ended up heading towards the Marina, so I took a taxi and found him instead.......

We drove back to Haifa in the mad rush hour traffic, and eventually arrived back to the hotel in one piece. We showered and decided on Habank for supper, we were too tired to go any further so Habank it was, Trio of fish for My Beloved and Liver for myself, now this is nothing like I have had before, the liver melted in your mouth and the sauce was lush.  We were very good and decided no sweet, we paid the check and wandered down the road, unfortunately we didn't get to the hotel we found another wine bar, and decided on just one more, the bar man was great fun, and said in Israel we have to try the desserts, and so we found ourselves drinking Chardonnay and eating Creme Brule, which seems to be a very popular dish here.

The view from the Wine bar was right across the Haifa Port and it was beautiful, my only sadness about our new house is it has another view across Mt Carmel and I will really miss the view of the port and the twinkling lights at night, but all is not lost, Barbarossa, Spoons and now The Wine Bar have the view I love and its the same view from the Business Lounge window, so I just have to visit these places regularly for my fix. So we finished our wine and wandered home slightly tipsy but very happy, two very happy people who are loving being a proper married couple.