Shabbat, 31 December 2016

I went to bed a little late last night but slept well. I got up rather early, though.

After breakfast, I enjoyed a lovely video chat with David.

In the late morning, I did a load of whites in the laundry and went out for a leisurely walk while it was going. At several points, I just sat down and basked in the warm sunshine. It was really beautiful out today! I also took a few pictures, including today's pic of the day, a view from the hill behind the hospital showing Har Shlomo and White Mountain behind part of the Eilat skyline:

After lunch, I whiled away the afternoon playing games and watching videos on my iPad and napping a little.

In the early evening, I talked as usual with Joyce and her husband in Ohio.

Later, I again talked briefly with David and he walked to a New Year's Eve concert.

I walked a total of 3 kilometers today.

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And ne'er be brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of Auld Lang Syne.

For Auld Lang Syne, my dear,
For Auld Lang Syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For Auld Lang Syne!

Friday, 30 December 2016

I went to bed early and tired last night. I fell asleep quickly, slept well, and got up at a good time. Before breakfast, I walked up to the local bakery and bought challah and burekas for Shabbat.

After breakfast, I walked down into town to join a free walking tour of the downtown area, sponsored by the city for tourists, and learn a little about the history of Eilat. I can't say that I learned very much, but I did visit 2 or 3 places I'd never been before, and it was a good way to spend a lovely morning. I think I was the only native English speaker on the tour (which was in English) -- I know that several (maybe even most) of the other people were tourists from Poland, and there was at least one girl from Belgium. I did take a few pic of Eilat from the area that juts out into the sea just west of the bridge, including today's pic of the day:

After the end of the tour I started walking home, but I felt a bit tired, so I stopped and rested and took a bus the rest of the way back. When I got home, I enjoyed another nice conversation with David on the phone.

After lunch, I took a short walk up to the park and spent a little time just basking in the warm sun. It was a beautiful day out today!

As the light of day faded, I lit candles, drank some sweet red wine, and ate a little challah to welcome the last Shabbat of 2016.

In the evening, I talked some more with David.

I walked a total of 7 kilometers today.

Thursday, 29 December 2016

I got to bed early last night, slept well, and got up early this morning.

I had a rather relaxed morning, talking with David and scanning another play for our group. I even napped a bit in my chair before eating lunch.

After lunch, I took a leisurely walk around the big loop. The sun was shining warmly, but the air was cool and there was some breeze, so I walked as much as possible in the sun.

As I was walking along, Tony and Annette caught up with me in their buggy, so we chatted for a bit. Later, over on the Nakhal Garuf Tayelet, I also chatted briefly with one of the veterinarians who lives near there and was out walking her dogs.

I took a couple of pictures of lovely flowers, one of which also shows a bug and is today's pic of the day:

By the time I got back home, I had been out for nearly 2 hours and was feeling pretty tired. I actually napped a bit more in my chair.

I walked a total of 5.5 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 28 December 2016

I slept quite well last night but woke up and got up very early this morning.

After a lazy early morning and a long chat with David, I set out of the Maccabi office in town.

On my walk down, I happened to notice the name of one of the small markets that I have passed many times without seeing its name. Here's a photo of it -- can you tell why it made me smile?:

I now have everything taken care of for my surgery except for the final formal approval which no one doubts will happen with just a few days.

While I was down there, I also stopped at the pharmacy and picked up a few items. Then I started back home, going a longer way and stopping at the Shufersal up from WIZO House to buy an item.

It was sunny today, but the breeze was a bit chilly. I wore socks and shoes, long pants, and a t-shirt (one of my BCC tie-dyes!), and by staying mostly in the sun I kept quite comfortable. If I had had to walk much in the shade, though, it wouldn't have been quite enough.

After lunch, I did a couple of Hebrew Podcast lessons, one of them a simple one.

In the evening, I again chatted with David before heading for bed.

I walked total of 4.3 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 27 December 2016

I slept well last night and already felt better before I even got out of bed this morning. The cold's not completely gone, but most of my energy and motivation are back.

By the time of WIZO, there was no doubt that I would go and even that I would walk there, which I did, talking to David in Tel Aviv all the way, including for some minutes out in front after arriving.

At WIZO, we celebrated Khanuka and also a birthday of one of our members, who is 89 years old. He brought a delicious cake and champagne for all of us to enjoy!

After WIZO, I snapped a picture of our beautiful day here in Eilat, walked up to Shufersal but didn't stay long and didn't buy anything, and then headed on home, taking a few pictures of flowers along the way. Today's pic of the day is the lovely view from right in front of WIZO House:

I did a quick grocery shopping trip and ate lunch, but I didn't do much else the rest of the day. I talked to David again in the evening.

Monday, 26 December 2016

I slept well last night and got up quite early this morning, but I had very little energy all day long. My sinuses are draining a lot, and my cough has loosened up considerably, probably both thanks to the cough syrup.

I really didn't get anything done today, but I didn't need to, either. In the early afternoon, I lay down for a nap in my bed. Before long, though, I got the phone call I've been waiting for from Ichilov Hospital, telling me when my surgery will be: the 16th of January. I have to arrive there by 9:00 a.m.

They're supposed to be able to send me the documents by e-mail, but they couldn't, leaving me to choose between regular mail and fax. Regular mail could take too long, but I don't have fax. Luckily, I was able to find the fax number for the local Maccabi office and have them send it there. Tomorrow, I'll contact Maccabi to make sure they got it and to have them e-mail it to me, if possible.

I talked a couple of times with David in Tel Aviv today, which was enjoyable, as always.

I'm starting to have just a little more energy now, so maybe I'll be much better tomorrow. I hope so. I read that the Queen of England has a heavy cold, too, which prevented her from going to her usual Christmas service. Maybe it's the same cold I have! LOL

Shabbat and Sunday, 24 and 25 December 2016

I got up Shabbat morning feeling better than Friday morning but still quite sick. Naturally, I took it very easy all day.

I talked with Joyce in Ohio in the afternoon, as usual.

In the mid-afternoon, my temperature had gone up to 38.8ºC (101.8ºF), so I decided to call the 24-hour Maccabi nurses. After talking to me for a bit to understand the situation, she agreed to send a doctor to my house (at a cost of 85 shekels to me).

When the doctor and his assistant arrived, he talked to me and checked me. My heart arrythmia was what worried him the most, even though I told him clearly that it had previously been identified, I had seen a cardiologist, and it was being treated. Still, he sent me to the hospital.

When I walked down there (1 km, downhill), they saw me fairly quickly, but the doctor thought it very strange that I had been sent there. Of course, they did do an EKG, but they released me and just told me to see my doctor the next day. I quickly used the Maccabi app on my iPhone to grab one of my doctor's 3 remaining slots.

The walk back up home seemed colder and much less pleasant that the walk down. However, I felt better when I arrived in my nice warm apartment. I did feel pretty tired, though, which is why I didn't write here yesterday and am including 2 days in today's post.

I walked a total on 2.1 kilometers on Shabbat.

I did go to bed early, and I slept well. I felt somewhat better this morning (Sunday). After an early breakfast, I took a bus down for my weekly blood draw at Maccabi (to check how my blood thinner is working). Later in the morning, I took a bus over to see my doctor, who was actually not at all pleased with the doctor who had sent me to the ER yesterday. He checked me carefully, and entered an over-the-counter note to the pharmacy for me to get some cough syrup. I took another bus back over to Maccabi (actually, MaccabiPharm) this time, picked up my cough syrup (which tastes quite awful but seems to be working somewhat, at least), and then took one more bus back home.

I took today's pic of the day from the kikar at the intersection of Sara Imeinu and Ester HaMalka. It's a view of Aqaba that shows what a lovely, sunny day we had here. It was slightly too warm to stay long in the sun, and slightly too cool in the shade:

The rest of the day, I just relaxed at home, talking several times with David in Tel Aviv. Of course, I had also talked to him several times yesterday, including even from the ER.

I walked a total of 3.2 kilometers today (Sunday).

P.S.: I forgot to actually ADD the pic of the day. I've done it now.

Friday, 23 December 2016

I slept pretty well last night but somewhat irregularly. I woke up quite early anyway, but when I got up I did NOT feel good at all. I felt exhausted! I sat in my comfortable chair for a while. Eventually I got up to start making breakfast. It was about at that point that I began to feel better. I was still sick all day, with congestion in my head and chest and a swollen throat, but I didn't feel nearly as tired, thankfully.

After breakfast, I took the trash and recycling out. Over the course of the day, I got everything done by doing something, and then resting a bit, and then doing something else. So, I got challah for Shabbat and even did a little grocery shopping at the adjacent market. I did the dishes, and I dusted and swept.

I also talked several times with David in Tel Aviv, something which is always enjoyable.

In the evening, I lit candles, drank a little sweet red wine, and ate some challah to welcome Shabbat.

I walked only 0.61 kilometers today (610 meters).

Thursday, 22 December 2016

I got up quite early this morning despite having gotten to bed late last night.

I took some time to do a load of laundry and to write an update message to my e-mail list and my friends and family on Facebook.

I had an appointment with my psychiatrist at 10:40, but when I went out to walk there, it was raining lightly. It actually took me a while to remember that an umbrella is the proper remedy for such a situation. Luckily, I DID remember where my umbrella was. It's a 30-minute walk, but by the time I was half-way there, the rain had quit, and the sun was shining brightly, although there were still some clouds in the sky.

The psychiatrist was, of course, pleased with my situation, but at my request he kept me on the Prozac, which I think has really helped me stay positive.

On the way back, I began to feel quite tired and not very well. I had had a cough that started late yesterday. Nevertheless, I took a few pictures in Nakhal Shakhamon, including today's pic of the day:

After coming back home, I was lazy the rest of the day, and drank lots of herbal teas. I had started a mixture of lentils, barley, a little pasta, and rice in the crockpot in the morning, so I had that for both lunch and supper. I also ate a couple of beets for lunch.

I took my temperature this evening, and it was 37.8ºC (100ºF), so I do have some fever, but not enough to worry about. Of course, I'll keep checking it.

I walked a total of 5 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 21 December 2016

I got up very early this morning and was out of the house by 5:00 and walking to the airport. I ate an avocado sandwich at the airport for breakfast (after checking in). My flight was at 6:40.

When we got to Tel Aviv (Sde Dov Airport), I walked over to the Ichilov Hospital, taking a few pictures along the way. At the hospital, my first task was to find the Maccabi office there (my health fund) so that I could get a "green card" which will eliminate some of the paperwork that would otherwise be necessary for Maccabi to pay for my treatments there.

I had quite a bit of time left before my appointments, so I went over to the adjacent mall (within the same security perimeter as the hospital), browsed the shops a little, and then just sat checking e-mail and Facebook and cropping and uploading photos.

My appointments went very smoothly. After the receptionist and the nurse, I met with an anesthesiologist and a urology surgeon who asked me questions about my medical history and checked all the documents about my diagnosis and tests so far. Everything was in order for my surgery. The secretary will call within the next 2 weeks to give me the actual dates and will then send me the special form for hospitalization. I also have the secretary's number so that I can call her if she doesn't call for some reason. I carried out all of this entirely in Hebrew, and I felt comfortable that I understood everything I needed to know about it all.

I also signed a form to allow any tissue left over after the pathologist's analysis to be used for research purposes. That WAS in English, and, of course, I was happy to possibly be of some benefit for research. Who knows? It might someday save someone's life or at least improve treatments.

Next, I called my friend, David (who lives in Tel Aviv), and walked over to meet him at Kikar Rabin, where we sat and talked for some time. Then he took me out for pizza, and another friend of his, Ernest, joined us. Afterwards, the 3 of us went over to David's place for a few minutes, after which Ernest left. I stayed at David's and continued chatting with him until it was time for him to go to an appointment with a volunteer who helps him.

After that, I walked up Ibn Gabirol and across HaYarkon River. Then I walked on a trail near the north shore of the river in a park. This was right about at sunset, so I got some nice pictures, including today's pic of the day, the colors of the sunset reflected in the river:

I walked a ways past the Ayalon Freeway and then came back towards the Sde Dov Airport along Rokakh Avenue (until Namir Road). On my way back to Rokakh Avenue, I saw an emu and an ostrich. Then were in separate fenced area, but I have no idea why they were there. After arriving at the airport and checking in, I had a butter croissant and some red grapefruit juice.

I had a good flight back home. We landed in Eilat southbound instead of northbound, as planes usually do, but that was good since it meant we didn't have to circle around over the gulf before landing. On the other hand, I didn't get much of a view of Eilat because I was setting, as I had requested, on the left side of the plane. :-)

After arriving in Eilat, I walked back home from the airport. So, I went EVERYWHERE today on foot except, of course, for the 2 flights. My total walking for today was 18.4 kilometers.

Tuesday, 20 December 2016

I got up quite early this morning and ate breakfast early, too. After checking the Maccabi website and seeing that the forms for my appointments tomorrow (with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist) were still awaiting approval, I headed down to the Maccabi office. I got everything approved while there and got the forms I need (to prove that Maccabi, my health fund, will pay the hospital, a government institution, for my visits).

On the way to Maccabi, I shot today's pic of the day, a bed of pretty flowers:

From Maccabi, I walked directly up to WIZO House for today's English speakers' meeting. After our usual hour of socializing and the weekly announcements, we began talking about today's topic of the day (selected by yours truly): stories of winter from our childhoods. We got plenty of participation, and I think everyone had a good time.

Before heading home, I did a little shopping at Shufersal, but I only bought a couple of small items.

I had a salad and quesadillas for lunch.

After lunch, I took a short nap in my chair, and then I talked for some time with David in Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, we'll have lunch together after my appointments.

In the early evening, I watched about as much news on TV as I could stand. Since I don't usually watch TV, that wasn't very much. I'm doing it mostly (almost entirely) to improve my Hebrew, and I can understand at least generally what they're talking about most of the time.

I walked a total of 4.7 kilometers today.

Monday, 19 December 2016

I got up fairly early this morning and even ate breakfast a little early. In the morning, I decided to change the location of Goldfinger's terrarium. So now it's on top of the wardrobe instead of being on top of the file cabinet (located next to my bed). This will make is easier to take care of him, because I can stand on a chair instead of on my bed.

I talked to David in Tel Aviv this morning and again this evening. We always find interesting things to talk about because we are both interested in many of the same things, especially Hebrew, languages, Israel, Zionism, and gay culture and history.

I started a pot of barley, lentils, and pasta (a mix someone gave me) in my crockpot this morning. Later, I cooked a vegetarian "breast" in the microwave, chopped it into small pieces, and added it to the mixture. Finally, I also added some rice that I had cooked a couple of days ago. The whole thing made a good lunch. I ate about half of it, and then ate the rest in the evening.

After lunch, I set out on my walk. I headed up to Harim Road and then went south, stopping at Nakhal Shakhamon to take a short video (less than a minute) showing the spectacular views both down the nakhal to the sea and up the nakhal to the Eilat Mountains. It's today's pic of the day:

Then I continued almost to the end of Harim Road, where I turned right and went through a cut to start down Nakhal Garuf. I only went a very short distance down, though, before turning right to follow a trail into the hills the other side. Very soon, the trail began following a dry stream, and then it became quite beautiful, with quite a few acacia trees and some other foliage, as well.

At one point the trail went up the hill to the right, leaving the dry stream, but I continued to follow it. A while later, I came to where I could see the sea, but there seemed to be a hill before it. I wondered which side the stream would go on. As I got closer, though, I saw that it was actually an earthen dam, and when I went up on it, I saw that it was protecting giant oil tanks of the port from flooding. I walked to the northern end, hoping to get around it that way, but I quickly discovered that it would not be possible, so I checked out the southern end. There, I found a channel that I'm pretty sure had been cut to provide an overflow for the catch basin so that the water wouldn't fill up too much behind the dam (of course, there was absolutely NO water there today!).

I followed the stream through the cut. At one point, there was a dry waterfall that was almost as tall as I am. I managed to get down it without too much difficulty, but I was REALLY hoping I wouldn't have to go back UP it! Luckily, I didn't, and eventually I reached the road next to the sea quite a bit further south that I had hoped for, in the area where they can fuel the ships or offload oil from them, I think (though I've never actually seen either of those happening there).

I didn't see anybody else for the entire walk from Harim Road to the coastal highway. It was so beautiful and peaceful!

Next, of course, I walked up the coastal highway, past Dolphin Reef, past the port, past Dekel Beach, and past the naval base, all the way into town to the mall. I went in, bought some Coke Zero, and sat on a seat, drinking my soda and cropping the many photos I had taken. After that, I took the number 2 bus back home.

I wore a short-sleeve black t-shirt all afternoon and evening. It was actually a little hot in the sun at first, but I was never too cold, even after the sun went down (although I might have been if I had attempted to walk home at the end after dark).

I walked a total of 12.4 kilometers today.

Sunday, 18 December 2016

After breakfast, I managed to get through to Ichilov Hospital and get them to e-mail the official forms about my appointments with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist (next Wednesday) so that I could print them and take them to Maccabi.

Then I walked into town to Maccabi with the forms and with the letter from the Ichilov urologist so that they can get me the form I need to take with me to prove that Maccabi will pay for the visits. On the way down, I took some pictures, including today's pic of the day: an oleander blossom backlit by the sun:

While I was at Maccabi, I also got my weekly blood test done and picked up the results from last week's x-ray.

After leaving there, I called and booked my flights for Wednesday, and then I talked to David in Tel Aviv for a while before picking up the mouse for Goldfinger and walking back home. On the way, I took some more pictures, including of a beautiful but small butterfly enjoying some white flowers.

I had 2 beets, a salad, and a vegetarian shnitzel for lunch.

After lunch, I took a bit of a nap in my chair, and then I went for a walk around the big loop, taking still more pictures.

In the evening, I walked down to Fay's house for our weekly play-reading group. We finished reading "The Importance of Being Earnest" and read another play called "The Strangest Kind of Romance".

I walked a total of 12 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 17 December 2016

I got up fairly early this morning but only went out briefly with Pascal.

In the morning, I talked with David in Tel Aviv. This time, we decided to use video chat.

I had a salad and my usual eggs and rice for lunch.

After lunch, I set out on my walk. I walked down to the public beach next to the mall and just sat there on one of the nice "beds", enjoying the view of the sea. Quite a few people were out swimming in the water. There was a cool breeze, but the sun was warm, and I was comfortable in a short-sleeve thin t-shirt.

Next, I walked south to the point where Nakhal Shakhamon "flows" into the sea (on the rare occasions that it actually flows). I walked up the nakhal some distance and then followed a trail over to an adjacent canyon to the south. All of this is in the undeveloped area between the Shakhamon neighborhood and the sea. From there, I meandered back up to my apartment.

I took lots of pictures on my walk. Today's pic of the day is of some wildflowers in the canyon (I saw quite a few of these in the same area):

On the way back, I talked briefly with Joyce and her husband in Ohio. They were getting ready to head out to a family dinner.

When I got back home, I uploaded many of the pics I had taken to Facebook. Then I had another video chat with David in Tel Aviv.

I walked a total of 7 kilometers today.

Friday, 16 December 2016

I got up really late this morning, and I even forgot to go up and buy challah. I only remembered after I finished teaching, by which time I had to choose between whole-wheat buns and conventional small challah (I chose the former).

I was scheduled to teach 4 units of Berlitz lessons today, but the first student turned out to be a no-show (as she had been for her FIVE last lessons, so it was no surprise): 9:00-10:30 and 10:30-12:00. I talked for nearly an hour to David in Tel Aviv during the time of the no-show lesson.

In addition to picking up "challah" after my last lesson, I did a little grocery shopping at the adjacent market.

I had a salad, quesadillas, and 4 bread sticks for lunch.

After lunch, I set out on an afternoon walk. I walked down Argaman all the way to the bottom, but deviating a block left and then a block right for a good part of the way. Then, I proceeded over to the beach by the mall, stopping to buy a bottle of PepsiMax for hydration on the way.

I took a number of nice pictures down by the water, including today's pic of the day, in which you can see several people swimming in the Red Sea (remember, it's the 16th of December!):

When I left the beach area, I walked up through Gan Binyamin Central Park through an area where I had not walked before. It was pretty there. Next, I went up HaTmarim to Roded, then up Roded (past Chabad) and Barne'a. Eventually, I walked to the top of HaSporta'im, then followed Harim over to Argaman and back down Argaman to my place. It was really a very enjoyable walk. I was out for more than 2 hours. I wore socks and shoes, jeans, and a thin t-shirt, tucked in at first but later untucked, and I felt comfortable the whole time. I walked mostly in the sun, but there was also a fair amount of shade, especially later in the walk. This is one of the things I LOVE about Eilat!

When I got back home, I began uploading pictures to Facebook, and then I lit candles, drank some sweet red wine, and ate some challah to welcome Shabbat.

I walked a total of 8.9 kilometers today.

Thursday, 15 December 2016

I got up quite late this morning, but when I went outside for a few minutes with Pascal, I was able to snap a great picture of the sunrise, today's pic of the day:

I taught only 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:15-11:30, 2:45-3:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I had a salad, vegetarian shnitzel, and bread with carob/peanut spread for lunch.

In the afternoon, I took a long walk clear down to Khativat HaNegev and way over to the Nakhal Garuf Promenade. I took a number of additional pictures. Here's one of Aqaba in the last sunlight of the day:

I walked a total of 8.6 kilometers today.

Wednesday, 14 December 2016

I got up quite early this morning but didn't even plan to go out for a walk. In fact, when I went out for a few minutes with Pascal, the walk was wet, so I knew that it had recently rained (although it wasn't raining at the time), and I could see that the sky was cloudy (even though it was still very dark).

I was scheduled to teach 10 units of Berlitz lessons today, but one 2-unit lesson turned out to be a late cancellation: 9:30-11:00, 11:00-12:30, 3:00-4:30, 5:00-6:30 (the late cancellation, about which I was notified around 5:12), and 7:00-8:30.

I made a quick trip to the market to do a little shopping, mostly because I was nearly out of paper towels (an essential item in my simple system at home!).

I tried to call the urology department at Ichilov Hospital to get them to e-mail a formal invitation to my appointments there a week from today, but I got a recorded message saying they won't be available until next Sunday.

I had a salad, quesadillas, and a sort of dessert "burrito", a tortilla wrapped around some of my delicious carob/peanut spread.

When I found out about the late cancellation, I decided to go out for a walk. It was still mostly cloudy, so I tried not to get too far from home in case it started to rain. It didn't, of course, but I only walked for about half an hour. On my way back, I took a picture of a synagogue that was completed near me within the last year. Its architecture is rather plain, but it does have some pretty stain-glass windows, and so its today's pic of the day:

I walked a total of 2.3 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

I got up quite early this morning, which allowed me to get some things done before heading off to WIZO.

I talked with David in Tel Aviv as I was walking over to WIZO. At the meeting, one of our members, who lives here and on the Isle of Man, gave us a presentation about the work of Friends of Israel in Great Britain and, especially on the Isle of Man.

As I was leaving WIZO, I noticed some pretty flowers, and I was even more delighted to see that some bug were pollinating them. Today's pic of the day shows it:

After WIZO, I walked into town and again talked a bit with David in Tel Aviv. Then I ate lunch at the falafel place near the bank and walked back home.

I taught 5 units of Berlitz lessons today: 2:45-3:30, 4:30-6:00, and 6:00-7:30.

I walked a total of 5.2 kilometers today.

Monday, 12 December 2016

I taught 8 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-10:30, 11:15-12:45, 2:30-4:00, and 6:00-7:30.

I had a salad, 2 beets, and quesadillas for lunch.

Before my last lesson, I went a walk around a slightly shortened version of the big loop, taking several pictures, including today's pic of the day, sunset colors as seen from the end of Harim Road, including distance mountains in Saudi Arabia:

During part of my walk, I was also talking with my friend, David, in Tel Aviv.

I walked a total of 6.2 kilometers today.

Sunday, 11 December 2016

I got up fairly early this morning but did all my walking later in the day.

After breakfast, I did some grocery shopping. Then I headed down to Maccabi for my weekly blood thinness test. From there, I walked over to Mercaz Big (near the north end of town, in the industrial area).

I had received a gift card for Rosh HaShana from Berlitz loaded with 250 shekels. It wasn't clear, however, exactly where it was accepted. When I first got it, I had hoped I could use it for groceries, at least at Shufersal, but I had found that I couldn't. So, I had then decided to use it to get new shoes, which I was beginning to need. I figured that some store at Mercaz Big where I could buy shoes would accept it. Sure enough, Castro (one of Israel's main chains of clothing stores) does.

I had expected that I would probably spend most, or even all, of the 250 shekels on a pair of shoes, so I was delighted to find shoes at Castro on sale for only 100 shekels. Better yet, there were some in my size, and they looked decent and were comfortable. I decided to get 2 pairs, and I also picked up a couple of t-shirts on sale for only 30 shekels. Today's pic of the day is of me wearing one of the new t-shirts:

If you're adding things up, you would think that I had to pay 260 shekels, adding 10 to what was on the card. But, the prices marked were actually for the REST of the country, where VAT taxes (something like sales tax) are included, whereas here in Eilat we are exempt from them. Therefore, I only had to pay 221.80 shekels, and I still have 28.20 shekels left on the card!

From there, I walked up to the health food store, where I was able to buy one of my guilty pleasures: carob/peanut spread. Then I headed for the pet store on HaTmarim near Khativat HaNegev. They didn't have any mice this week, but I also needed to get a new bag of cat litter.

Since the cat litter bag is, of course, VERY heavy, I took a taxi home.

I had a salad, vegetarian shnitzel, and rice for lunch.

After lunch I was able to get through to the urology clinic at Ichilov and get my appointment set with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist on Wednesday, the 21st of December. So, I then managed to get an appointment for the nurses to do my EKG today, and I also got the x-ray done while I was there.

Finally, I walked over to Fay's house for our weekly play-reading group. Today, we read the first 2 acts of "The Importance of Being Earnest", which we all agreed was great fun.

On both walks down to Maccabi, I talked with my friend, David, in Tel Aviv.

I walked a total of 10.4 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 10 December 2016

I got up fairly early this morning but, of course, did NOT go out for a walk.

In the morning, I talked with David in Tel Aviv and listened to a sample Berlitz lesson. This teacher was really amazing; I'm sure I could never do as well as she did in that lesson. But I did pick up some nice ideas that I CAN try in my lessons.

I cut up a cucumber and a tomato and added a little 1000 island dressing for my salad today. I also had my usual eggs and rice (with added garlic powder and sunflower seeds, all fried together with olive oil).

After lunch, I immediately headed out on the hike I had planned, and it was absolutely perfect! I walked up the bicycle trails to the pipeline road, which I followed over into Nakhal Shakhamon. Then I followed the pipeline road there until the trail turned off to White Mountain. It goes through a short valley (following a dry stream, of course) and then turns and goes up very steeply to a saddle right next to White Mountain on its back side (away from Eilat). I took today's pic of the day in that small valley before the steep ascent:

From the saddle, it's only a short distance up to the summit. The top of White Mountain is the perfect place for a person like me who LOVES high places (I think I have whatever the opposite of acrophobia is!). After the summit, I continued following the trail which goes along the ridge of White Mountain all the way to the northern end. The ridge is narrow, in some places VERY narrow (with steep downslopes on both sides), but the feeling of being up there is so wonderful, and, of course, the views are fabulous. Once I reached the end of White Mountain, the trail took me back to the pipeline road, and I returned home through another nakhal (whose name I don't know). Here's a Google map satellite view with my approximate path marked:

Of course, I took many pictures, quite a few of which I've already posted on Facebook. I'll post one of the best views of Eilat, the Red Sea, and Aqaba here, as well:

After I returned home, I finished cropping, uploading, and posting photos, talked with Joyce and her husband in Ohio, and talked some more with David in Tel Aviv.

I walked a total of 7.8 kilometers today (a lot tougher walking than on the sidewalks of the city, of course, and some of it much steeper, as well).

Friday, 9 December 2016

I got up fairly early but didn't go out for a morning walk except to buy challah. It was cold! I actually wished that I had worn a sweater. I did get a nice picture of the sun about to rise, though, from right in front of my gate on my way back. It's today's pic of the day:

I taught 3 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45 and 11:30-1:00.

I got all the weekly household chores done in the morning.

I had a salad, a slice of cheese (9% fat), and a doughnut for lunch.

In the afternoon, I took a long leisurely walk around the big loop, somewhat extended.

As the light was about to fade from our beautiful valley, I lit candles, drank a little sweet red wine, and ate some challah to welcome Shabbat.

Later in the evening, David called me from Tel Aviv, and we enjoyed a nice long chat.

I walked a total of 7.5 kilometers today.

Thursday, 8 December 2016

I slept well but didn't get up particularly early.

I was scheduled to teach 6 units of Berlitz lessons today, but accepted 2 additional units. However, the student for those 2 units only came into the classroom long enough to tell me that he couldn't do the lesson because of a meeting, so it became a late cancellation, and the student for the last lesson (3 units) didn't show up: 9:15-11:30, 12:00-1:30 (the late cancellation), and 6:00-8:15 (the no-show).

I talked fairly briefly a couple of times with David in Tel Aviv today.

I tried again to get through to the Ichilov Hospital to find out what's going on regarding my appointments before surgery, but, again, I couldn't get through to anyone.

I had a salad, a vegetarian shnitzel, and a couple of beets for lunch.

After lunch, I went on a long walk. I walked down into town, all the way on the North Beach Promenade, and along the shore as far as I could go. Just before the border, there's a small base, so I didn't get quite to the Jordanian border, but I was close. Actually, it was not possible to tell exactly where it was. Today's pic of the day is from the spot the closest to Aqaba that I could get:

Then I walked over to Ice Mall and got some frozen yogurt. After that, I started my walk back home. On the way, at the corner of Yotam Road and Eilot Street, I happened to run into Bassia & David and chatted a bit with them.

I walked a total of 11.2 kilometers today (all on that one long walk, really).

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

I taught 6 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:30-11:00, 11:00-12:30, and 7:00-8:30.

I had a salad, a quesadilla, and rice for lunch today.

I had a nice phone conversation with David in Tel Aviv in the early afternoon.

I tried to call the Ichilov Hospital to find out what's happening regarding my appointment today, but I had no luck. At the main number, all she could do was to give me the number of the urology department. But when I tried to call them, I got no answer -- it just rang and rang and rang. I'll try again tomorrow morning.

In the afternoon, I went for a very nice long walk. I walked down Nakhal Shakhamon from Sheshet HaYamim to its end at the sea. From there, I walked up to the beach near the mall. In that area, I got some cool pics of 2 different planes just before they landed. One of my pics is today's pic of the day:

From there, I continued north to Sderot HaTmarim, where I turned up the hill. Then I followed a rather zigzag route home.

I walked a total of 8.8 kilometers today.

Tuesday, 6 December 2016

I got up only a little late but didn't go out for an early walk.

After breakfast, I talked to my friend, David, for about an hour before heading out for the weekly WIZO English speakers' meeting. Today, we had a really nice program put on by Bassia and David. She read some very nice short poems that she had written, and David (her husband) played nice background music on his guitar to enhance her reading. It was all well-written and well-performed.

After WIZO, I walked down to the bank to withdraw some money, and then I walked up to the household gadget stores to browse a little. From there I went to the office and art supply store and then to the Shufersal near WIZO, where I bought a couple of items. Then I walked home a slightly longer way. I took a couple of pictures of flowers, one of which is today's pic of the day, a view of one of the flower beds between WIZO House and the road:

I had a mixture of barley, lentils, and a little pasta for lunch. I had set it cooking on low in my crockpot right after breakfast.

I relaxed in the early afternoon and even snoozed a little in my chair.

I was scheduled to teach 4 units of Berlitz lessons today, but the 2nd lesson turned out to be a late cancellation: 4:30-6:00 and 6:00-8:30.

In the evening, I talked again with David in Tel Aviv.

I walked a total of 6 kilometers today.

Monday, 5 December 2016

Since I didn't take any pictures today, today's pic of the day is one I actually took yesterday, of Pascal on my desk (and in my way):

I got up fairly late this morning and didn't go out for a walk.

I taught 9 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45, 9:45-11:15, 11:30-1:00, 4:00-5:30, and 6:30-8:00.

I did some grocery shopping at the nearest market before lunch.

I had a salad, 2 beets, and veggie burger and cheese sandwiches for lunch.

After lunch, I relaxed and even napped a little in my chair.

Before my last lesson, I had another enjoyable conversation with my friend, David, in Tel Aviv.

I walked only 0.29 kilometers today.

Sunday, 4 December 2016

I slept well last night with nothing over me at all (and no heat needed in the apartment, either), and I got up early. I didn't go out for a walk, though, because I knew I'd be doing plenty of walking later in the day.

I started walking into town at about 8:15. The first stop was Maccabi, to have blood drawn (pre-surgery tests and my weekly check due to being on blood thinner). Then I walked across to the Maccabi Pharmacy to get my monthly prescriptions filled. From there, I headed for the Soleil Boutique Hotel for the monthly WIZO breakfast. I was very early, though, so I took my time and sat and rested for a while.

As always, the WIZO breakfast was really enjoyable. I think I took more advantage of the delicious foods available than I have before. Today's pic of the day was taken on my phone by our host, Armando, at the hotel:

After that, I walked back up to get a mouse for Goldfinger, and from there I headed home. I stopped and sat for quite a while talking on the phone with my friend, David, in Tel Aviv, which I enjoyed very much.

I took the afternoon pretty easy, napping for a while in my chair, and then getting ready for tomorrow's lessons (despite Pascal's continual interference, LOL).

In the evening, I walked down to Fay's house for our stimulating weekly play-reading group.

I walked a total of 9.7 kilometers today.

Shabbat, 3 December 2016

I again woke up a little early and had some trouble going back to sleep, though not as much as the previous night. I think one of the problems is that we're now at the point where I need a little cover at night, but if I put on too much, I'm too hot. So, it's hard to get it adjusted just right. This will take care of itself with time.

After breakfast, I went out for a very long walk. I walked out almost to the end of Harim Road, then went around a small hill and started down Nakhal Garuf, going all the way to its end, at the Port of Eilat. I took today's first pic of the day during that part of the walk. It's a nice view up the nakhal from part-way down:

When I got to the highway, I started north, walking all the way into town. I took picture on this part of the walk, too, including some from the beach just south of the naval base. Once I got into the town proper, I bought a bottle to PepsiMax (to keep myself hydrated) and followed the shore, taking more pictures, including today's 2nd pic of the day, showing people enjoying the sun and the sea near the mall:

Before heading back up the hill, I stopped at Mul HaYam Mall (right by the sea) to pee. Then I walked up Yotam Road to Argaman and followed Argaman home. I walked slowly uphill and stopped several times to rest and to crop some of my photos. Just before getting home, I took today's 3rd pic of the day, a view of my gate from just across the street (it's right behind the front of my landlord's white truck):

As soon as I got back home, I began preparing my usual Shabbat lunch: rice and eggs. I also had a nice salad.

In the late afternoon, I had my regular conversation (via Skype) with David's sister, Joyce, and her husband in Ohio.

I walked a total of 10.6 kilometers (all on that one long walk!).

Friday, 2 December 2016

I woke up in the night last night and had trouble getting back to sleep. As a result, I got up quite late this morning.

I actually took a nap in my chair after breakfast, but I still managed to buy challah and get the weekly chores done before my lesson at noon.

I taught only one 2-unit Berlitz lesson today: 12:00-1:30.

I had a salad and quesadillas for lunch today.

In the afternoon, I talked on the phone to my friend, David, in Tel Aviv for quite a while. With both enjoy talking to each other and have many similar interests.

I lit candles as usual, drank a little sweet red wine, and ate some challah to welcome Shabbat this evening.

Afterwards, I went out for a long walk around the big loop but extended in several places. I took quite a few pictures, especially sunset pics, including today's pic of the day:

I walked a total of 7.2 kilometers today.

Thursday, 1 December 2016

I got up late this morning and so, of course, did not go out for a walk.

I taught 7 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:15-11:30, 12:00-1:30, and 5:30-7:00.

I had a salad (with half a yellow bell pepper, a cucumber, a tomato, and sunflower seeds added to the basic mix), 2 beets, and a large thin vegetarian shnitzel with ketchup for lunch.

After lunch, I went for a long walk around the big loop but with a couple of significant extensions. As I was walking along, I noticed that a dust storm was coming in from the west-southwest. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the wind got very strong, blowing sand and dust, and Aqaba became almost invisible. At least the sky remained blue, so this one was not as severe as some I'm seen here. I took several pictures during my walk, including today's pic of the day, an interesting bug sitting on some pretty rocks (before the dust storm):

I walked a total of 7.2 kilometers today.