Hotel life. Radisson Blu Elizabete.

Cutie.

Hello, Winter!

I don’t do it for the pay (at least in the beginning), or the glamour (because it’s not so much of that at all), or even the pilots (not even for the foreign flames), but I fly because I have discovered through experience that it’s one of the best places to be even when it doesn’t feel like the best.

1. I fly because…I never know who I will meet.

That unknown is captivating, and not knowing who will step on the next aircraft as passenger or crew is exciting. It’s a job and an existence where meeting new people all of the time happens easily. These people that a flight attendant happens to meet are often interesting, educated, well-traveled, and cultured. They have a story and bring so much life to what could be, “just a job.”

2. I fly because…I want my version of a ‘weekend.‘ 

With airline crew, Tuesdays turn into TGIF. Battling Saturday crowds is not a fight we care to win. It’s simple errands and anything on a real weekend isn’t exactly simple. We have enough crowds during airplane week. When the dry cleaner is closed because it’s Sunday, this just does not make sense. Who knows the day of the week anyway?

3. I fly because…nothing about a desk looks hot.

Office spaces with the best views. If any coworkers are annoying, they only share the cubicle for 2h-10hrs at a time. That’s not bad. I may never have to see them again after this flight. Talking, moving, and interacting are encouraged. Everything always changes. I mean, I could change the color of the paper clips I buy. Do people actually buy paper clips these days?

4. I fly because…I love to gaze longingly into the eyes of departure boards.

Take me somewhere. Anywhere. What flight has first class seats? I want to see the world, and with this job, the opportunity to do that is about as close as saying to a gate agent, “Can I go to [INSERT AIRPORT CODE HERE] today?”

5. I fly because…any other alternative just isn’t quite good enough.

I’m sure there is more that I could do with my life. Like, maybe use my degree to a greater degree, but why? I’m happy enough and this job is easy. 10-12 days off a month with a livable wage. I won’t be a millionaire, or high powered business professional, but I’m ok with that for now. What I need is freedom and with flight attendant life, there can be so much freedom.

6. I fly because…once is never enough. 

I could travel here once, but that doesn’t seem ok now. Now that I know coming back over and over again is so much better. If I only stopped by once, I would never notice cultural nuances, find favorite cafes, and become a familiar face within this setting. Going once is never enough when cities you don’t belong become exactly where you must belong.

7. I fly because…I have time for the more important stuff.

It’s not about the flying, so much as flying gives time to pursue other interests. Actors, real estate agents, professional athletes, filmmakers, photographers, and writers find support, financial means, and community within the airline industry. Staying in a life that is constantly on the go can allow for the flexibility to be that person you have always wanted to become.

8. I fly because…it’s familiar.

There’s a comfort in the predictable unpredictability. Flight attendants fall into a routine of packing and unpacking, hotels and airports. When that is interrupted, it’s strange. It’s not strange for cabin crew to be in more than four countries in a week. It’s not strange to forget where we just landed or what day of the week it is. We laugh at how our lives are sometimes weird and yet wonderful. We hate it at times, but love it equally as much. We see uniformed crew passing by in the terminal and we just know— know what they go through, too. We check out crews and nit pick at work rules. We appreciate and despair over all that the lifestyle includes. We stay; we stay in flight attendant life because we have fallen for the familiar unfamiliarity that is our existence.

9. I fly because…I have to. It’s simply in my soul. 

You will discover stories of once physcians assistantants, architects, and real estate agents who wanted something more, something that was new and fun and freeing. So they fell the moment they flew, and when their feet left the ground, they were changed. Living grounded never seemed an appealing way to live any longer. Flying becomes just part of who you are. If you leave, eventually you dream of coming back. You need to be in the sky like you need to breathe. It’s a must.

That dream.

Tonight I have dreamed about turquoise water, turtles and just being in the paradise. I felt so happy in my dream.

I have never had that dream before. I mean, I have dreamed that I am in Maldives, but that... that was something even more special. 

So I guess, my Asia trip is really happening sooner than I thought.

I can't wait!

From bed jumping to sinusitis.

Once again my sinusitis is back.

No flying for me for several weeks.

Oh, well...

Antibiotics, bed and rest it is.

2 weeks until NYC, though.
I need to be on my feet again by then.

Israel, I've missed you.

Tel Aviv-Yafo or Tel Aviv is the second most populous city in Israel after Jerusalem. The city has a population of 426,138 and a land area of 52 square kilometres.

Tel Aviv's White City, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, comprises the world's largest concentration of Bauhaus buildings.

Tel Aviv is a global city, and is the twenty-fifth most important financial center in the world. Tel Aviv has the second-largest economy of any city in the Middle East after Abu Dhabi, and has the 31st highest cost of living in the world.

I love Israel. Everytime I am here I'm feeling safe, in harmony and just filled and happy. I have no rational explanation about it, but... can you really and should you really explain your feelings? I'm just feeling good and it's all what matters.

Tel Aviv's airport - Ben Gurion, is one of the most beautiful airports I have ever been. And... I must say, one of the most safest airports I have ever been.
Prepare to spend more time than usually, as you will be asked by security and agents, and loads of other people, to answer all kind of questions before you board.

We came in Tel Aviv on 5 pm. It was dark already.
So we went to refresh ourselves in the hotel - Sadot Hotel (Ben Gurion airport - Atlas boutique hotel) and then - went straight to city centre.
It was +28 degrees, when we landed. November 14 and +28 degrees. In Riga it was +7, which is good for November as well.

Everyone are speaking Russian. Everyone. So....if they don't speak English, they will speak Russian. As there are loads of Russian people living or going to Israel to hospitals, as there are one of the best hospoitals in whole wide world. To be honest - Tel Aviv has been described as a "flourishing technological center" by Newsweek and a "miniature Los Angeles" by The Economist. It was also described by Newsweek as one of the 10 most technologically influential cities in the world.

 

For me as far as I can see, as a tourist, it's all about the army, medical institutes, hospitals, education and food.

For me, as I am a massive foodie, Israel is a paradise. 

I love food. I love Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, and foods such as falafel, hummus, msabbha, shakshouka, couscous, andza'atar. I just caņt get enough.

This time I've tried "Hermon" Mount Hermon, White, 2013, which was simply amazing. I'm not the wine fan, but... I would have it again.

I've spent beautiful time in the city.

By the way, speaking about the beach, it was +23 degrees. Can you imagine that? Unbelievable.

Then I went to my beautiful hotel. I was so knackered, I fell asleep righ ahead.

In the morning I ate Israeli's sweets. I'm a huge dessert fan. And so far - nothing can stand to Turkey's and Italy's desserts, but Israel's... Israel's desserts are so close to my standarts. All these awesome pasty's, baklava style of desserts and dates. I must say - Israel has the most delicious and juiciest dates I have ever tried. It's a must in Israel. 1 kilo of dates costs 10 dollars. And it's totally worth it.

I brought home hummus, pita bread, 2 kg's of dates, Israeli's delights (baklava style) and my favourite Israeli's chocolate, which tastes the same as Twirl chocolate.

If you are in Israel, it's a must to try:

Hummus, falafel, m'sabacha, khachapuri, the Georgian Cheese, bread, challah (Bnei Brak), that Feast at Haj Kahil (Jaffa) and preserved lemons.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast Feast at Manta Ray (Tel Aviv), shakshuka, egg in Challah toast, Israeli Salads

CHEESE

"White Cheese", cottage Cheese, fried Haloumi

MEAT AND FISH

Lamb Shawarma from Shawarma Bino (Jaffa), Carpaccio from Salon (Tel Aviv), Salmon and Wasabi Sorbet from Uri Buri (Acre)

SWEETS

Mutabak from Zalatimo (Jerusalem), Kanafeh Pastry, IKA Chocolates (Tel Aviv), dates

Ice Cream from Endomela (Acre)

DRINKS

Pomegranate Juice, Arak Cocktails.

I highly recommend to visit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Jaffa at least once in your life time.
It's just that holy, pure, yet wild and exotic, sandy, dusty, hot feeling, sensation you get while you there. At least - I'm having that.

I'm returning to Tel Aviv in three weeks. And I can't wait for it again. Looking forward seeing you, Israel!