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!

Friday 13th.

The day, when I said good-bye forever to the most treasured person in my life.

The day, when there was something wrong with the aircraft I was flying to Amsterdam.

The day, when there were a massive delays in the airports.

The day, when there was a passanger on board, who's last name is Love (my treasured person's last name).

The day, when that passanger (Love) was sitting in the seat 8A (infinity, my birthday's date. my favourite number).

The day, when they called me and said, that I must leave to the Israel for couple of days.

The day, when terror act happened. #prayforParis

Saturday 14th.

I'm going to Israel today. Unplanned.
They called me (dispatchers) and asked me to go.

The land, what I love the most. 

The land, where I feel safe and in harmony with myself. The land, who gave me the most beautiful person ever. Once upon a time.

But today, after yesterday's tragedy... I don't feel calm. I'm shaking. I can't believe that it is still happening nowadays.

Today I will do even more serious security and safety checks and searches on the aircraft.

Today I am a little bit nervous to fly.

Today is just another, "typical" Saturday, why am I feeling different and anxious then?!

Anyways...

See you Israel in couple of hours.

I was looking forward to it, even I have seen you last month already.

Sending peace and love. 

P.S. Today I am flying for 530 hours (pure flight time as active crew). And my duty time is - 900 hours, since May, 2015. And it is without my travelling time, maybe I should start counting that as well. Unbelievable! 

And the best is yet to come.

Pray for Paris.

There is absolutely no words to describe this horrific evil event. My heart breaks for the families and the victims. 

The violence between humanity has to stop.

I see humans, but no humanity.

Is there any place in the world we can feel safe in?
How these evil things are possible in the 21st century?

#prayforhumanity

You were born to travel, if...

1. You can make friends anywhere, but are just as happy to sit in silence by yourself.

2. You’ve always been willing to try anything once. Except maybe heroin and Kopi Luwak coffee.

3. You have very specific airport security and customs strategies.

4. You’ve always been good at Tetris, and understand how to translate those skills into a real life packing scenario.

5. You know the word for "Thank You" in seventeen languages.

6. Your decorating style relies heavily on maps.

7. The term "All Inclusive "makes you gag.

8. The first thing you think when you see a motorcycle is "freedom" and not "crushed skull".

9. You’ve held on to a demolished pair of old jeans because the rips and wear on them all have corresponding stories from abroad.

10. You consider your medical history full of exotic diseases to be more like a trophy case.

11. You’ve never had an issue with taking the longer route as long as you have good company or a decent book.

12. You’re praying for the airline to bump you off your boring business trip flight so you can get the free credits.

13. You have — at least at one point in your life — thought of an RV as a better investment than a house.

14. You’ve never actually finished a checklist because you can’t stop adding things to it.

15. Your measure of whether someone is a good friend or not is, "Would he be a dick to me after being awake for 17 hours straight on a non-sleeper train?"

16. Over the course of your entire life, you’ve spent months in train stations, bus terminals, and airports.

17. You’re less interested in jobs that offer two-weeks vacation and more interested in jobs that offer year-long sabbaticals.

18. You’ve always thought "Curiosity killed the cat" is a dumb proverb. And even if it’s true: good for the cat.

19. You’ve daydreamed about working for National Geographic.

20. You have a dog-eared copy of On the Road, Into the Wild, The Motorcycle Diaries, or Eat, Pray, Love on your nightstand pretty much all the time.

21. The idea that a lot of people do not even own a passport offends you to your core.

22. You’re okay with doing something embarrassing or stupid, as long as you’re able learn from it.

23. When people ask you, "Where do you want to go next?" You can never choose just one place.

#dayoff. There she goes again.

Since today I'm the member of MyFitness. Again. 

Long time no see. 

Went there in the morning and it felt so good.

Was only girl in the lifting section. Haha.

Some men helped me with my weights and I was very happy about it, since some weights were too heavy for me, apparently.

Did legs and squats. Obviously.

And cardio. Some abs.

I felt so good!

Got a towel as a present. Cool.

Then - went and treated myself with two books. 

The only things, what keeps spinning in my head is: "I can't feel my ass, when I'm with you (gym), but I love it, but I love it."

Since, I literary can't feel my legs and bum. I don't even want to know, how hurtful it will be tomorrow.

#backontrack

Santa-girl.

+25

Squad.

How can one be bored in a world as beautiful as this? Hey, Cyprus! Happy to see you again!

Duty calls.