And in fact the trains are a real pleasure. They run precisely on time, they're spotlessly clean, they're cheap and they're fast. I reckon that once they run more frequently, and the lines are expanded to include more destinations, central Israel will become one big "greater Tel Aviv." Maybe commuters will stop driving to work in my beloved but crowded city, and the smog and traffic congestion will dissipate. (Hey, I can dream..!)
But I digress...
We had a fabulous lunch at a restaurant in a moshav near Ra'anana. The weather was so warm and sunny that we sat outside on the wooden deck - near a famous blonde model and her friend; they did not, I notice, eat anything, but drank diet cola. Of course. We, however, decided to share a creamy, slightly spicy sweet potato soup, and a main course of chicken cutlets in chutney sauce. The food was so good that I practically licked the plate.
One of three customers sitting at the next table ordered the same main course. When it arrived he exclaimed to the waitress, "Oh, is that the chicken chakri?"
I snickered, and not quietly. He heard me and said, in a slightly aggrieved tone, "What? I've never been to India!"
We chicks discussed international politics and Greek philosophy over lunch (oh alright - we gossiped), then picked up little Naomi from her kindergarten and took her to her swimming lesson. "Why do you have a camera?" asked one of the little girls at Naomi's kindergarten.
"Because you're so beautiful that I want to take your picture," I answered. "Is that okay?"
She nodded and grinned as I clicked the shutter.
Inside, the kids were were making cookies...
But because Naomi was late for her swimming lesson she took a bag of dough home to bake later.
And then, bliss: while Naomi learned the breast stroke I got to soak in the jacuzzi and steam in the sauna.
Before heading back to the big city, I snapped little Tamar - who, despite the cold that made her poor little nose all red, was in a remarkably good mood.
Kids are so photogenic.
