But till then the planning goes on. As of several weeks ago we have found a fabulous place to live in Jerusalem which proves, that serendipity does exist. We received the names of a Portland couple from more than a dozen friends and acquaintances. Paul met the husband and told him "We want to live in Tel Aviv", but thanks for the offer. When I finally started researching where we should live, taking into consideration safety, ability to walk everywhere for anything at any time, natural beauty and somewhere just plain interesting, it hit me, (the agnostic of the family): JERUSALEM! Why go to Israel and not be in the center of the universe for the 3 key monotheistic religions of the world, and history, all that history! I looked at Paul like he had lost it... why wouldn't the king of history teachers want to live in the most historic of all cities? "Tel Aviv is like NYC without theater" I ranted. As usual he smiled...ok, he smirked in that always knowing way that he was getting what he wanted and it took me a bit longer to get there:-) Our new home is spectacular! Filled with Israeli contemporary art, skylights and balconies, and a guest room.
As to packing I am using the air sucking kitchen device to hermetically seal Tom's toothpaste, shampoo, toiletries etc. My friend Priscilla told me those items cost 10 times more in Israel. More money for daily falafel! Paul keeps telling me not to pack to much... I think he forgot I live in yoga pants and are already hermetically sealed.
Noa is becoming more comfortable with the idea. She no longer growls at us and threaten to move to Gabby's house. Little does she know that the girl who hurts for nothing and can not think of anything for us to buy her for Hanukkah, will get to see Beyonce in Tel Aviv in January.
