The alarm went off at 04.00 and despite our best attempts to ignore it, we knew that planes don't wait for passengers! The drive to Heathrow was straightforward.
So far so good.
In preparation for the early morning Selichot prayers next week, I was wrapped in my Tallit and tefillin at a shockingly unreasonable hour near to the departure lounge. My fellow Jews (who eventually managed to muster together a minyan) started arriving in dribs and drabs.
Our ELAL flight took off only 23 minutes late which actually isn't too bad and the journey was mercifully uneventful, except for the extraordinary reunion with one of the stewardesses whom we had known as a teenager a decade or so ago. The Jewish World is sooo small!
So far so good.
And then after we landed, it wasn't.
Baggage retrieval conveyer #5 should have delivered our two large pieces of luggage. Unfortunately, it only managed to do half the job. In short, my luggage containing all of my clothes is either still in London or somewhere over Europe!
ELAL were very understanding and gave me a goody bag containing socks, a toothbrush, pyjamas, deodorant etc).
A pleasant but longish taxi ride to our hotel. I had a great conversation with the Israeli Arab driver who proudly showed me his daughter's high school grades. She scored 100% in every exam she had taken.This man is a proud Israeli who has been able to educate his four children and build a good life for himself and his family in Israel. He was really happy to share this with me.
The Dame the realisation that I actually have nothing to wear which led to a shopping trip around the Dizengoff Centre. I'm now OK for tomorrow at least.
The highlight of the day was seeing one of my oldest friends, A with his wife V, who took us out for dinner. Meat definitely tastes better here.
We also gazed in wonder at the total lunar eclipse and the blood red moon. It's not due for another seven years.
And there we have it. Day 1 done.
I don't have many clothes but hey, it's amazing to be back here again.
I'm writing wearing my ultra smart ELAL PJs!
And they've sent me a text to inform me that my suitcase will be delivered to our hotel sometimes tomorrow.
Things can only get better, eh?
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