I’m really reveling in life here. It’s so much more interesting than life at “home.” Take for example the bakeries and the cheese makers. Both are being fined for having mouse turds in their kitchens and in the dough, insects in the bread. Their protests against the fines are growing, claiming that the public can’t expect their products to be absolutely clean. Well, now we certainly can’t!
Meanwhile the tour guides are objecting to a new law that forbids them from accepting kickbacks from stores where they direct their customers. The guides claim this would cut their income immeasurably.
Everything and everyone in Israel is slightly dishonest. It’s the only way to live, like cheating on taxes and the way salaries are figured. My American friends are outraged, but I sort of just go with the flow, especially as it helps my salary’s bottom line. Also, I have my husband Abe who, being Israeli, knows how to navigate the system. Sadly, though, I don’t think we will be staying, due to the drastic lowering of our standard of living. Speaking of which, Abe has a chance to teach one day in week in Beersheba for 700 pounds, but he’s not interested. I tell him 700 pounds is 700 pounds. Beggars can’t be choosers. And yet!
Our trip to Caesarea was a lot of fun. In Israel history is everywhere, and we found clay jug handles and colorful pieces of pottery just by kicking around in the sand. (I later discovered my jug handle was allegedly from the time of Joshua.). Then we couldn’t miss the crusader castle, which my son Ben loved, especially the slots from which you could shoot arrows. The only down moment of the trip was going to a buffet at the Dan hotel there. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt taken at a restaurant. Maybe because it’s mainly for the tourists.