Tel Aviv - nov 4-5

Walked around ketura before the flight back to TLV, feels like other kibbutzim I've spent time on - lovely green spot in a harsh landscape, the pool/dining hall/residences/farm area all kinda the same. Nothing fancy, little scruffy and the allure of a simpler life. Ketura still uses the old socialist model, too far from anything to be a bedroom community for most israeli families. Quick flight from brand new ramon airport (no jetways!) and train to jaffa for another sunset and walk on the beach. Good dinner with netanel and staying at fancier market house hotel.

Last day. Borrowed a bike to ride down to Rishon Ltzion and up along TA promenade. Beautiful beach riding with dozens of new high rises under construction. What if hamas had used the $500B their 'metro' cost differently? Lets say 250,000 housing units, of 2000 sqft, costing $200/sqft. Thats $100B. Plenty left over for schools, hospitals, roads, transportation. And even a real metro. What a waste. Mandatory visit to mostly quiet hostage square, bumped into Abby who was mirror shopping, then to the Anu museum which reminded me how hebrew was revived to be a modern spoken language in just 25 years. Powerful multimedia display (art, music, film) about oct 7th. Interactive exhibit about TBZ and my krakower family (nobody else), while another toronto family across the table was researching Frankel. Then onto the airport way too early. Bonus 13 miles.

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