backtotheroots

It is so cold here in Haarlem! A few months in Tel Aviv and I forgot how it is and of course, I did not take enough warm clothing... Yesterday I bought a warm fleece vest... It is nice though to be here a little bit as "tourist". I visit my family in Brussels, meet my kids and my friends in Holland, do some shopping and close all unfinished business here. Meanwhile Stephane is in Tel Aviv, taking care of the galery. We talk every day via Skype. He sold a canvas.. the one Charlotte helped him do! Great news.  Our website in under construction and I give feedback on all developments via mail. Love this technology that allows me to stay in touch and active no maater where I am! Later on today I will meet with my friend Ingrid. We will probably go for a walk on the beach or in the dunes. This evening I will have dinner with ex-Hunkemoller colleague Rosan. I left the camera in Tel Aviv... so no pictures this time!

This is what Charlotte said when she left Tel Aviv on Sunday night. We did a lot in one week but there is still so much to see and to do! I am happy that she felt so comfortable and "at home". We had a really nice week together. Stephane and I look forward to her next visit!

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They say "time flies when you're having fun!" this is definitely true! We have been doing quite a lot of nice things since Charlotte arrived... The day before yesterday on "Yom Hahatsmaout" (independance day) we went first to the dead sea and then for the traditional bbq at our cousins in Beer Sheva. It was great to spend time with the family and especially for Charlotte to meet her cousins. Those from Herzlia came as well. The Dead sea however was less successful. I had not realised that on such a day (holiday) thousands of people go there with their family to BBQ on the beach. It was so full that we did not even go for a swim. Did not feel right. Well, another experience left for "next time".... At least we have enjoyed the beautiful Negev desert scenery... Yesterday was spent shopping for groceries, first at the Shuk Hacarmel, then at the supermarket. I like the fact that Charlotte gets to know how we live, where we shop, etc.... The afternoon was spent at the gallery which we needed to get ready for the photoshoot that took place at 6pm. Again great to have Charlotte there! The photographer's father happens to be the stage manager of the Beit Lisin theater - one of the best theatre in Israel and located around the corner form our house. He invited Charlotte to come visit. Charlotte studies theatre production in Amsterdam and is very interested in discovering theatres in other countries. We went there this morning and she really liked listening to Baruch (the stage manager) stories and information. He has been working there for 30 years now! After the visit we went home and got ready for a long walk in Tel Aviv. We started in Shenkin street - great for all its shops and cafes - continued to Neve Tsedek and ended in Jaffa where we had lunch on the sea front. After lunch we had a last walk in the shuk hapishpishim (flea market). Totally exhausted we took a cab back home. Now we will rest for a few hours before attacking the week end!  

We had planned to go to Jerusalem but chose to visit Haifa instead. Yesterday was an important commemoration day for all Israeli soldiers who died in battles with many official ceremonies taking place in Jerusalem in the area of the Kotel (Western Wall). So we headed north instead. Charlotte did a school project based on Rina Frank's book (My sister and I - in Hebrew Every house has a balcony). The story is about a Rumanian family in late 40's that has just immigrated in Israel and lives in Haifa in a neighborhood called Wadi Salib. The book is really nice to read especially for us who have parents/grandparents from Rumania. Lots of "shared" memories let's say.... But, important for Charlotte's project was the Wadi Salib area: history, architecture, social & political environement etc... She researched it for a long time and now finally she could see it with her own eyes and camera! Loved it! Of course we also went to the Bahai temple, to the German Colony, to Wadi Ninas for the market and the best falafel in the world. In the evening we ate in Tel Aviv  in restaurant Hasdera - great place with good food and really nice people serving it :-). We had planned to experience the independance day (evening) celebrations - many parties going on in Tel Aviv but we were really tired and wanted to wake up early today to head to the Dead Sea. At 2pm we must be at our cousins in Beer Sheva for the traditional independance day BBQ!  We kept it simple: Stephane went to bed and Charlotte and I went for Mohito's accross the street at the Havana club... really tasty!

I am so happy! Charlotte has arrived on Sunday night. As usual with almost all flights to Israel, she arrived in the middle of the night. However, we woke up early so as not to miss too much of the precious days we have here together. We went to the Gallery, had Israeli breakfast on the beach (SoFrishman), went by bus to the other side of town to take from the bronze foundry one of my sculptures that was ready, walked to the art supply store to buy canvasses for Stephane, took the "Shirut" (shared cab) back to the gallery, had a falafel, walked to aunt Rosi, took the bus back to the Dizengpoff Center (shopping mall), did a bit of shopping, walked back to the gallery, waited for Stephane to finish some work (Charlotte helped him) , walked home, had dinner... and collapsed!!!!  I think Charlotte enjoyed her first day... so did I! Today we had planned to go to Jerusalem. However today is a commemoration for all the Israeli soldiers who died and Jerusalem might be difficult to reach.... We will check before and eventually go to Haifa instead!

No, Stephane is not bored just relaxing and thinking after spending a few hours working intensively on a new project! On Saturdays there is a nice atmosphere in the street. Especially after 4pm, when people start returning from the beach while others go there for a nice stroll after the crowd is gone. Today we first went to the Marina to discuss a project with a client. After that I spent a few hours on the beach, returned to the gallery and had lunch there with Stephane. Then we both worked. I prepared input for the guy who will design and build our website while Stephane worked on a new creation. I am very anxious and excited because Charlotte is coming tomorrow! I really look forward to the week we will spend here together. I am so curious about her reactions.... One more day and she'll be here!

When Stephane lived in Israel (from 1976 till 1982) he was staying in a kibbutz in the north called Amiad. There he was "adopted" by a family, family Peled. Stephane had lost all contact with them and until our visit 2 years ago. We went to Amiad where Stephane met Amos whom he had not seen for 25 years and whom he actually considers as a brother. The reunion was great! And now, even though the 2,5 hours drive makes it difficult to see each other  a lot, they keep the contact, call each other, etc... Amos is married to Shula and they have 4 children, the youngest, Yael, is 13 years old. Last friday they came to Tel Aviv to see us and the gallery. Sigal, Amos's sister who lives in Tel Aviv was there as well. We had a really nice afternoon: lunch, a short stroll through the neighborhood.... It was great!

Yesterday for the first time I was working (sculpting) in the gallery. Found the right spot, was in the right mood... good concentration...  Some people came in and asked if I was giving lessons. Maybe an idea for later.... Anyway I had a few good hours and it felt great!