Arie in America (2nd verse - not the same as the first)

So here I am 8 days later in LA. With Shani, Mitch and the kids). Being
Grandfatherly if you can imagine that!

I landed in New York last Thursday and was stunned by the city, I know my
description will be banal but Unless you are really good, any description
of NY will be banal.

The size of the city, the drive through deep, man made concrete and glass
canyons which tower above you seemingly endlessly into the sky aare too
awesome to even attemp to describe - I looked up and up and up and up in
awe. And all around are cars moving slowly like beetles crawling along the
earth in search of food which they seem to gobble up and spit out in a
cycle of mad movement. All around literally millions of people rushing
around like mad ants either trying to make a buck or spend a buck.
I have always been intimidated by New York, in fact I have been intimidted
by the mere thought of the place, the very name cunjured up for me a scene
of rudenss, violence, random mayhem and dog knows what other primeval fears
and now I was there! The only reason I was not scared shitless was because
I was under the protection of Mitch. Mitch had always told me that he was a
native New Yorker and he would show me around and so I felt safe - only
later did I learn that while he was born in NY and thus indeed a native, he
had left at the age of 5, but by that time I was alright, I had discovered
that Despite its size and frantic pace, New York was not at all scary. I
hope that that is not a misconception!

Mitch and Shani spent 3 days showing me around and i tried to do as much
touristy stuff as I could - Up the Empire State Building,down Times Square,
through Central Park and so forth, I loved it.

Then on Sunday they deserted me claiming they had to get back to their
kids! Ha! and I was left on my own and the two people who I had been
counting on to give me accomodation couldnt and I was faced with the very
real threat of actually having to pay for somewhere to sleep. Now I am
Jewish and Israeli and in addition independently cheap so you can all
imagine how I felt!

So I called Jonos friend Brandyn and asked if he could put me up for the
night and he told me to come on over - Jono please pass this on and I would
love to get his email. Brandyn and friends then took me out (outish because
Brandyn himself had no ID - take into account that even I was asked for ID!
and I do look over 21!!) and a great time was had by most till about 2.30
in the morning.

The next night I was out with Robin and Stephan, older, more sophisticated
and maybe wiser than the previous gang (friends of Pini) and they are
equally adept at drinking as the youngsters.

Then on to Jeff (MItches cousin) and the most generous hospitality.
All in all NY was great and to qhote the imortal Terminator "I WILL BE
BACK"

After 7 fun filled days in NY I finally arrived in LA and met Kyle and Zoe,
the prince and princess of the valley and I have fallen in love. I will not
"gush" enough to say that they are awesome and very different from the
little princes in Tel Aviv. They are slowly learning to know and trust me
and today as I was walking past Zoe put up her hands for me to pick her up
- Ah, what joy.

LA is as hot as Eilat and as humid as TA and all the AC in the world cannot
overcome the heat.

American grass is great and soon I hope to be playing in a small Poker
tournement.

I know that life sucks in Israel at the moment but from here in the lap of
luxury where the biggest worry is - I dont know, maybe there isnt a biggest
worry - it is difficult to feel involved so please forgive me if I am
enjoying myself.

If you are not already in Eilat, move there now.

I cannot read Hebrew on this computer so please write in English, I will
neither laugh at nor correct your mistakes.

This mail is being sent to all my friends, both in and out of Eilat and
Israel - you are welcome to reply to this and I will of course answer you
personally. Share this mail with your friends and if there is anyone who
should be on my list and isnt, tell me.
If you didnt get it tell me. And give my regards to Avner the diver.

Keep your heads down when the whistle blows!

PS don't forget to scroll all the way down for photos.

non illegitemi carborandum

Arie