Back to the Grand Canyon

Well, I left the hotel on Israeli time - not East Coast time - which means I was out and about by 10:30 AM rather than 3:00 PM. Quite an improvement. I made it up (and I do mean UP) the shortcut to the restaurant that has become my favorite - just because it makes me feel more at home not to keep having to find new places. The food is excellent, plentiful and fresh.

There is free breakfast from 6:30 to 10:00 AM here at the hotel and I have never been up earlier enough to take advantage of this offer. Deep sigh.

I have not been able to find a map of bus routes, so I figured things out by city map. First I took the Carmelit - which is indeed all underground. I confused it with the cable cars in another part of town when I said that it was half above ground and half below ground. The chatty guard helped me figure out that I couldn't "get there from here" by bus (at least with how much he knew), so my trip to Elijah's Cave was going to be more unscripted than I had planned.

Now - did I do this in the middle of the day when it's hottest. Of course. The SPF 45 is working just fine, though I may come home with a farmer's tan.

So, I bought my ticket. Took the ride to the bottom - accompanied (he was taking his break) by the chatty guard - he's from Russia, is a singer, has CD's, etc. Everyone - and I mean everyone - has a story!

Exiting the Carmelit station into the old part of the city I located a bus stop and still didn't find the bus numbers I needed. The taxi looked really good when it drove past and I took the option when the next one presented itself.

Elijah's Cave is very near the Mediterranean. I could see the beachfront, the big waves etc.

You'll have to read your Bible to find out more about Elijah's Cave and why he needed one in the first place. It was not an over organized site - i.e., not run by our National Park Service. I took the long way around because there was a ramp rather than LOTS of stairs. Modesty forbids speaking of yet another interesting restroom experience.

Up the stairs inside a large room of the cave, there was a woman's side and a men's side, clearly marked by a mechitza/dividing wall. There were prayerbooks of various kinds, a large box for tzedakah and more. I took the opportunity to daven Mincha (recite afternoon prayers).

Yesterday was the Fast of Tammuz (look it up on www.myjewishlearning.com) and I chose to eat anyway. Had I been at home, I would have fasted. This may be the country in which to do it, but not when traveling (at least for me).

Oh, the Grand Canyon!! Well, after coming back from Elijah'Cave by taxi and taking a nap, I headed back to the mall for an experience that had some semblance of life that I know, plus it was more fun than sitting by myself at an outside cafe or wandering the neighborhood etc.

I haven't caught up with folks yet in Haifa. I do have connections and cell phone numbers - though woudn't you know it the one I needed most I have incorrect, so will be emailing to get it recorded properly.

Kol tuv, Rabbi Heath