2024-03 Israel

Israel 23,

April 5, 2024,

Hi Everyone,

After our mountain tour with the army, we were allowed 2 hours leave to walk around Eilat before returning to the base. The gate is closed and locked and you need permission to enter and leave the base especially in war time. After last night’s attack, they take no chances. Eilat has changed a lot since I came here in 1971 as well as 8 years ago. My memory of Eilat is a sleepy little village with no restaurants or cafes. I can’t remember if there were even hotels here. There was a youth hostel but I slept on the beach on and off for 3 months. I must have hitch hiked here from Tel Aviv at least half a dozen times. Hitch hiking and sleeping out in Israel and for most of Europe was tolerated and safe.

The beach is lined with 10 to 20 story luxury 5* hotels. There is a nice outdoor promenade here where you can buy the usual beach articles. The water is cool and refreshing so several of us went for an evening swim. I had my goggles so I was able to dive for some red rocks in 8 feet of water. Along the water are numerous cafes and restaurants. We split up into 2 groups, those who wanted to eat and drink and those who simply wanted to wander around. I chose the former group for my first falafel in Israel. The taste did not disappoint me.

Yesterday we boarded the bus and drove through the desert to Tel Aviv. It was boiling hot, at least in the high 30sC. I wandered around Tel Aviv in the afternoon and took a nice swim out to the breakwater. At supper all the other groups were anxious to hear about the attack in Eilat. Personally, I was not at all worried about our safety during the attack, as I felt that we were well protected in the shelter. The Army, Navy and Air Force were there to protect us and I felt that we were in good hands. Some of the others were less reassured than I was and In Tel Aviv, some of the other members of the group were very concerned for our safety.

Last evening I went out to eat with my French friends from Cassis. We sat out at a beach restaurant and enjoyed each other’s company while listening to the waves flap onto the beach. I must make a stop in Cassis on my next visit to France. Today, I slept in and then spent some time catching up on emails, reviewing my flight and doing my weekly washing. I try to swim or run everyday as I will be doing the World Championship Triathlon on the Canadian National Team, Age group 75-79, in Malaga in October. After all this manual labor at the bases, I think that I am in relatively good shape.

Love,

Brian