Lock-down is really over!

I walked down to north beach today to exercise in the water and pick up my new worker-bus pass. Ayoub and Pavel were working. Later, Ayoub brought me a new bus pass and we chatted for a while.

Misedet HaMifratz (The Gulf Restaurant) almost ready for business!

 He was very proud that he'd fasted all through Ramadan. I told him, "Mazel tov!" We talked excitedly about John's and Mary Jean's expected baby. Then Ayoub warned me that at work we'll all have to be prepared for the new corona world. I wonder how hot a face screen will be when I'm up on the slide. There's no doubt that the newly-enclosed towel desk will be hot. 

The meetings Ayoub has to attend at The Dan are stressful and some of his managers are yelling at each other. There were dump trucks aimlessly navigating the beach and several inexplicable piles of dirt that worried Ayoub. He wants guests to enjoy their stay. He also pointed out something I'd noticed earlier: the umbrellas that survived the storm are in such poor shape that a strong wind will send the thatch flying across the beach. 

Ayoub hopes that coronavirus will make us all kinder people-- and pay more attention to people in Africa who have no water or food. (The world corona map shows no cases in most of Africa, but I don't know if that's a result of isolation or under-reporting; in any case, people in places like Bangladesh and Africa certainly need our help.)

When I was walking back to the bus, I saw that SunWay was open. I finished my ice-cafe and went in for an extra large burkini. (Was I just writing about the suffering in Africa and Bangladesh?)

Maya and I texted about a nice Tatar girl from her hometown. We wanted to play matchmaker for Ayoub and Galiya. We didn't immediately consider the difficulties of immigration nowadays. Such a shame, because they're both wonderful people!

In the news:

• מה פתאום
• i24 News is broadening is suddenly covering issues unrelated to corona virus, some more significant than others.
• Russian mercenaries are being pulled out from a year-long war in Libya.
• There will be no more European basketball this year. 
• Iranian oil tankers arrive in Venezuela. 
• China is trying to squash the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

Ayoub sent out the schedule this afternoon. I will be working tomorrow, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday! Fairly long hours, too-- but I'll have time to swim before work.

Tonight begins the 48th day of the Counting of the Omer:

Whatever your achievements, there is always a second mountain to climb, 

and it may turn out to be your greatest legacy to the future.

Post lock-down blues

I went to the outdoor gym this morning just long enough to get my heart rate up and then spent the day watching YouTube videos.

This post lock-down/pre-work period is harder on my sanity than the lock-down was.

This evening, after feeding the cats, I went to the store and spent some time strolling in the park watching families and pets. It's the third of Sivan (tonight) and the moon is a sliver in the sky.

Tonight begins the 47th day of the Omer:

To make love undying, build around it a structure of rituals.

Maya and I were texting tonight. She told me that she had received a monthly newsletter from the human rights NGO in which they mentioned my work on the document that I'd edited during Pesach.

I was going to tell you, some time ago Daniil sent over a monthly newsletter for all the NGO volunteers. He told everyone about the project you’ve been into and about the crazy amount of work you’ve done. He quoted the Committee of Ministers who apparently said they’ve never before received such a vast communication. He also shared a link to the document, and I’ve taken a look. Goodness, it’s really huge!!!!

I'm so pleased they liked my work. Hopefully, this means they will contact me again.

Rebuilding Eilat

Today is the 45th day of the Counting of the Omer:

Never be in too much of a rush to stop and come to the aid of someone in need of help.

This morning, there were no tourists and few Eilatis on the tayelet:

Some rebuilding along north beach:

The Dan Hotel's umbrellas survived the storm; its board walks did not:

I saw Alessandra's mom and sat with her for a while. Alessandra came out of the sea like Bo Derick. (I guess a more high brow reference would be Aphrodite, but Bo Derick is who came to my mind.)

I walked in the surf for a while:

Below is a view of the Dan from the water. The storm waves reached all the way to the bottom of the red "rocks" beneath the Dan's water slide.

(I peaked through the gate and saw Ayoub, Pavel, Damien, and two other men I didn't recognize, cleaning up the pool area.)

A nice place to read and enjoy the views:

On my way back to the bus stop. I window shopped for a new burkini (SunWear was closed), actually purchased two pairs of harem pants, and chatted with workers at Misedet HaMifratz (The Gulf Restaurant)-- they will reopen on Wednesday!

In the news:

• Israelis are celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the withdrawal from Lebanon. That means 14 years of (relative) peace.
• The left and right are demonstrating outside the PM's residence, so loudly they drown out i24's reporter.

Tonight begins the 46th day of the Counting of the Omer:

Make sure the story you tell is one that speaks to your highest aspirations, and tell it regularly.