Escaping the Marriage Trap . V, XX. OO

Hello everyone!

Israel, 1965

   From the deck of the Ship, I came from Italy to Haifa, I could see my mom and Zipi, standing on        the pier, waving enthusiastically! After living the 'American Dream' for two years, I living in a Large  apartment, owning a car and have total freedom; I was afraid that coming back Israel, my tiny country  which was 82 square kilometers compared to Texas (696,241) I worried, that living  again with  my parents,  after having my own apartment, for two years may be a disaster, and was pleasantly surprised      by the smooth adjustment! Besides majoring in Psychology, my minor, at the University of Huston, was Theater Directing...I decided not to go back to work as a teacher, but direct plays in several schools and was planing, to eventually be able to work as a Drama teacher in schools, or in small theaters in Tel Aviv

   The first step I took, to accomplish this new dream was to make an appointment, with the director of   the Education Bureau in Tel Aviv and charm him... I was 'armed' with raving letters of recommendation    I made sure to collect, from the Hebrew school in Texas, as well as some of my students parents, who praised the plays I have written and staged; plays which dealt with Biblical and Jewish history. I had with me similar letters from the leader of the X Summer Camp in North Carolina... It all helped! I was now able to get a job as the Drama teacher and be a director, in two public schools next to my parents home,where I stayed at the beginning... In my new position I no longer had to check homework, grade tests, answer to parents, sit in long meetings, submit lesson plans, issue report cards and have to report to the principle! I was now my Own Boss! I even created for myself a two days Weekend (like in the U.S) instead of having only Saturdays off... The social group which Tsipi, Henia and I put together during our military service, welcomed me back as if I have never left... Several of our friends got married; Henia, Daniela and my best friend Zipi..." X "It is now your turn!" My mother said...X "Not yet Ima!" Came  my answer...

Tsipi, Daniella and me (on the right)		with Zippi  Zippi		Henia' wedding

   My friends weddings gave my mother more 'ammunition', to pressure me to find a husband!              After all (she was saying) I was already twenty three years old! My friends, family members and even   our neighbors joined in and the phone, did not stop ringing with 'Prospective candidates'. It was a Real Nightmare! Eventually, I greed to meet Ari ("A dentist"!) who was introduced to me by Stella, our dear Bulgarian neighbor, from the years we lived in the Arabic house (Moving Again).  My parents kept in touch with our former neighbors, even after "My beautiful Palace" was demolished by bulldozers, in  order to build a 'high rise' apartment building, for the growing population in Israel. My mom asked Stella (without my knowledge) if she knew a 'Good marriage candidate' for me and if she did not, maybe one of her friends did. (I would learn all this later on) Ari, Stella's nephew was a Dentist... He was six years older then me, a nice enough guy, but I wasn't attracted to him... I began to wounder if I would ever find the kind of a man, who would 'sweep me off my feet' and weather the real 'True Love", I have been looking for, existed only in romantic books and movies ... No one among my friends married the 'kind of man'    we all read about or seen in the movies "Maybe it is time to compromise!" I told myself. Ari and I were together for about a year and I had to tolerate the 'constant pressure' from my parents, his parents, the 'Mach maker' Stella, my friends and Ari himself... They were all pushing me to get married!  I was tormented by doubts and deep confusion, when the Hand of Fate intervened... On June 5th,1967, the     'Six Days War' broke out! Ari who was a 'Medic' in the army, was mobilized together with my brother  our cousins, neighbors and many of my close friends...

   For two long weeks, the streets of Israel were, Highs School kids were filling up Sandbags (to stop  bullets from entering windows) clearing shelters and helping create new ones...Women took the place      of  the men,  who were ready to fight and were driving buses, ambulances, delivering milk and mail and running grocery stores, pumping gas and doing other 'Men Jobs', in order to provide help for the needs of the civilian population... We were all busy in preparing food packages for the soldiers, who were spread across the borders... Israel was sharing four borders with four united Arab countries, which Declared War against us: Egypt, Syria, Lebanon  and Jordan, and were supported and encouraged by the rest of the Arab world "To wipe Israel completly from the map! of the world!" While our men, were in trenches, during the scorching sun, wearing "Full battle gear", the rest of us were holding our breath, waiting for the decisions of the U.N, the U.S and other major powers,and sending representatives who were flying back and forth between Israel and it's enemies, trying to find a Peaceful Solution for the crisis... We were not afraid, just frustrated! "Israel was not the one which started this war! Why doesn't the U.N let us defend ourselves?! We can do it!! Why should our destiny depend on decisions made by other countries?!"  There were frequent Air Raid sirens... I helped our neighbors, whose husbands were fighting, to carry their babies and small children to the shelter, whenever the sirens went off, during the day or the middle  of the night... My Mom and her sister Ruth, were calling each other several times a day, to see if there      was news from their sons, my cousins Noam and Uri and my brother Rami, who were fighting...They  comforted each other by saying: "No news is Good news!" Israel did not have Television yet and everyone was garbing the newspapers, looking with fear at the names printed under the black and white photos, of the solders who were killed... During the day, I helped my sister-in-law Dalia, take care of the two little boys; my nephews Eran and Eldar and then travel by two buses, to my parent's home... Israelis a small country and almost every one knew someone who was fighting: A son, a father, a husband, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend or a neighbor... We were all dreading the sound of the phone and the frightening unexpected knock on the door, which may be telling us that we lost a family member...

   On the third night of the war, at 1:30 a.m, the bell rang at my parents home... I was the first to arrive    My Mom followed, her face white and Aba (dad) was standing right behind her, ready to catch her in   case she was going to collapse... The three of us feared the worst:"Are they coming to tell us that my brother Rami is gone?" We were relieved to see my 'boyfriend' Ari, standing at the door, wearing stained uniform...Ari served in the army as a Medic, bringing ambulances full of wounded solders to the crowded  hospitals. He was on his way back to the Front and stopped for a moment to see me... Ari asked  fior my parents permission, to talk to me alone and after they left he said:"I want you to promise me, that if I do not get killed, we are going to get married!" To be completely honest, I wasn't worried so much that Ari may be killed, as much as I feared he will be wounded or crippled... In such case (according to the Israeli 'cod of honer') it would be my duty and obligation to marry him , if I did not I would be 'Ex comunicted   by my friends, neighbors and maybe even by my family... What could I do? I promissed... 

Victory for Israel

  On June 10th, the Six Days War came to an end, with an amazing victory for our tiny country, which fought against the combined armies of four Arab nations! Ari came back with out a scratch... Our parents met, gifts were exchanged and the arrangements and preparation for the wedding, began to take place... A date was picked and my mom was calling everyone she knew, to announce the good tiding Her Shira is finally getting married! (To a Dentist!) My parents began to search for the right place for the wedding and Ima hired a Seamstress for my wedding gown as well as a special dress for herself and my sister-in-law Dalia! She was urging me to complete the list of gusts in order to print and send the invitations...XThred is so much to be don! "She was saying,"so much!"

  As the days passed by, I found myself sinking deeper and deeper into darkness        and depression, which was the exact opposite of my usual sunny personality. I even stopped talking to my friends and family members, claiming to be way too busy to talk... One day my mom came to my room and set by my side on the bed...The same mother who was always there for me when I was in trouble... She took my hand in hers and said:"Shira'le, I am  very concerned, you are not yourself; I have never seen you so unhappy! Tell me what's going on?" "I don't love him Ima," I burst into tears  "I just can't see myself, living with him for the rest of my life, waking up each morning and see him in bed next to me!" Ima hugged me. "Then break it off! I have never before seen you so depressed! You are still young, I know you will find someone else, someone you realy love!" X But I promised him and he loves me so much, I am afraid he will kill himself, if I call the wedding of!" I was weepingX un controllable..."The way he made you promise to marry him, was unfair!" Ima said "I now realize it! I am sorry that I pushed you so much, please forgive me!",X my mother said.X "You don't know him Ima, he is not very strong, I an afraid he may Xcomite suicide and everyone will blame me!" X I cried... "People don't kill themselves so fast! And if he does, blame it on me!" Came my mother's answer;"It would be My Fault! X for pushing you too much!"x She said, trying to wipe off my tears with her Xaprin . My fear lifted immediately! In  the 'typical selfishness' of the young, I was relieved to know, that if the worst happens, I will not be blamed! I also realized ,that my mother, whom I resented for pushing me to get married, is totally loyal and devoted to me after all!  How difficult it must have been for her to overcome her Fear (almost an obsession) that I will become an Old Maid, like my three aunts and how brave she was, to give up her dream of finally seeing me getting married to a Dentist and have to go through the embarrassment' of canceling the wedding'... How courageous was my 'Ima', to assume responsibility for Ari's "possible suicide", in case he would realy kill himself!  If I ever doubted my mother's love and loyalty to me            I realized it then...

  Ari was not killed, nor did he kill himself... I was free!!! I walked, practically floating, in the streets       of  Tel Aviv, like a bird who got back her lost wings... A week later, I took the train to Jerusalem and    met with Sam, one of the Reserve Officers ,I made friends with, during my military service. Sami was       A Public Relations Specialist, working for the Bureau of Tourism. One of his jobs was to train people how to encourage Tourism to Israel... I set in his specious office, drinking Turkish coffee. We were  talking about the two years I spent in the U.S, my 'Adventures' in Europe and the canceled wedding...     At one point I looked him in the eye and said: "Sami , I need a change! I want to  forget the war, this drama of the canceled wedding and the questions, everyone is asking me about it! How can you help     me? What can you do for me? I will be for ever greatfull!  Sami laughed, he knew about my 'Wonder  Lust' and told me with a fatherly smile: "How about arranging for you a four week Trip, on the Greek Cruise Ship The"Queen Anna Maria", from Israel to the US and back? Stoping in several European    ports and acrossing the Atlantic ocean on the way to N.Y, then come back with new passengers... Your   job would be to give a few lectures about the history, geography and the culture of Israel, using a small projector for slides and teach the History of Israel as well as a few spoken wards in Hebrew... You will    be the Hebrew Translator, on the 'Sight Seeing Tour Buses', when the ship stops in Cyprus, Greece, Italy Spain, Portugal and a few small islands, when you cross the Atlantic Ocean... Coming back, you will do the same with new travelers, who are coming to Israel... Your job includes organizing a Talent Show, from among the Israeli passengers, the night before arriving to N.Y and another one, the evening before you come back to Israel... You will not be paid, but you'll have a cabin of your own in First Class and the bus tours will be free of charge for you, since you will have to translate the English for the Hebrew speaking passengers... Do you think you can handle it Shira?" Could I d handle it? "I was born to do it! From this moment on I am no longer an Atheist!" I yelled" There is a God and his name is Sam!" I stood up, gave him a wink, a big hug and planted a kiss on top of his shiny bald head..."Don't tell your wife about the kiss!" I winked at him, as I danced out of the room... When summer vacation arrived and my work in the schools ended, my mom Tsipi and I, in addition of a very big suitcase, boarded the bus to Haifa's Harbor arriving to the same spot where the two of them picked me up, after I came back from the U.S and Europe not that long ago! These two loving and loyal women, were watching me going up the stairs of the Queen Anna Maria, to take one more trip, this time as a Member of the Crew! How could I realize that another page in the 'Book of My Life' was turning and a new, important chapter was about to begin...

With Love and Light,
Shira

Traveling Through the USA . X OO This is to Go down, bellow European Vacation!. FIX photos, and large print OO. X

Hello everyone
Summer 1964  

   The Greyhound bus were very luxurious; big and spacious with comfortable upholstered seats and a toilet at the back! Our destination was California, where Tsipi's uncle and his family lived. We started our journey by traveling from Houston to New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada... Since we didn't have enough money for hotels, Zipi and I slept on the bus, traveling through out the night and felt sad about missing some of the sights... ("Beggars can't be choosers") as the saying goes... Not that we felt like beggars,we were just two 'Poor Students' who have no extra money for hotels... Occasionally, we would get off the bus, stay in a small motel, take a bath and enjoy the luxury of a normal night's sleep in a real bed...

Rock formations
and cactus

 Indian Reservation

   What we saw was beyond our expectations! Amazing sunsets, like brush strokes of enormous paintings, which took our breath away...We passed near orange painted mountains and rocks, through 'forests' of tall cactus... were traveling for miles through huge deserts, without seeing any signs of life, besides an occasional animals   At times, we would see a cluster of brown wood adobe huts, baked by the hot scorching sun or stop at an Indian reservation, in order to stretch our legs, buy cold drinks , and took many photographs, to show our trip to our families and friends when we come back to Israel...      
                                                       Up?

Las Vegas'
colorful lights

Horseshoe Bend,
Grand Canyon

  After several days of traveling and sleeping on  the bus, we became disconnected from reality...  Our nights and days were beginning to merge together and we began to experience strange Hallucinations... Tsipi, insisted that she saw several Indians, riding on horses, following our bus and got angry with me when I told her it was not so... I on the other hand, thought that I heard my Mom's voice, calling my name at the middle  of the desert... Finally, a kind of "Mirage" materialized in front of our eyes: Shimmering city with Neon lights, tall buildings, restaurants, hotels and casinos, with blinking electric signs: "Welcome to Las Vegas!" Instead of trees we saw "Forests" of hotels, as well as many restaurants and shops, where one could find card tables and Gambling Machines... My greater shock came when I went to the bathroom in our Motel and found a Gambling "Money Machine" next to the Toilet...We played Black Jack and other card games tried our luck at the gambling machines, doubling, tripling and losing all the money we have budgeted for gambling... At the end, we agreed that in spite of the loses, we truly enjoyed every moment! X "Lets not feel so bad for the loses and remember the Great Fun we had, while we are playing!" I told Zipi  XI am realy trying!" she said sadly X"But it could have been so much fun if we won!" After another day and a sleepless night, we boarded the bus for Los Angeles, waving goodby to "Sin City" (as some people call Los Vegas.) The two of us were very  tired, actually X exhosted , after being up most of the night and  immediate fell into a deep sleep, missing the view and the moment we crossed the border, from Nevada   to California and woke up in the Central Bus Station of Los Angeles; waiting to shower and sleep...

Los Angeles

Walk of Fame imprints

Walk of Fame stars

   California is so large, it is impossible to get around without a car...Luckily, Tsipi's uncle and aunt,with whom we stayed, offered to take us to a few Tourist Attractions  Our first stop was at the "City's signature: "Hollywood  Walk of Fame" where the sidewalks are stamped with the feet and hand prints of Movie Stars... Next came Disney-land, Universal Studios, Beverly Hills and the beautiful fancy neighborhood of Bel Air, where tourists are taken by special tour buses, to look at the houses of the 'Luminaries', hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite movie stars and snap photos with them; to show the family and friends at home! We also visited the old cemetery, where famous movie stars names are engraved on marble tombstones... We were taken to the Los Angeles Pet Cemetery, where well known beloved dogs, cats and monkeys, that appeared in the movies were berried: like the famous Chitah, Tarzan's monkey as well as several other famous 'Animal Stars'... We went for lunch at the famous Polo Lounge, in to the Beverly Hills Hotel, which is supposed to be the gathering place for famous movie stars and were disappointed, since although we craned our necks and looked around,we didn't see one familiar face from the silver screen...The two of us wanted so much to impress our friends and families when we got back to Israel, by showing them these photos and say: "Guess who we saw in Hollywood?!" But we didn't see any of those luminaries and had to be satisfied  with their photos which covered the walls of the polo lounge.. .

Stewart Granger	Elizabeth Taylor	Rock Hudson	Hollywood and Me!	Ava Gardner	Robert Taylor	Doris Day

   Tsipi planned to stay at her Uncle's house for two more weeks and then fly back to Israel. I on the other hand, was not quite ready to go bacK  planing to take at least one more trip, before going home and settle down for the rest of my life... I had to see London, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Rome, Naples and Greece; places which I didn't have the time or means to visit, during my first trip in Europe... I said goodbye to Los Angeles, took a photo in front of the Hollywood Blvd sign, to prove that I was really there and boarded a Greyhound bus to North Carolina, where I was about to work as a Unit Leader at the summer camp of "Young Judea; an American Zionist youth movement, which was delighted to have a "Real Israeli born Sabra "like me, who served in the Israeli Army! I was selected to work as a Unit Leader, besides being being the Drama concealer, who would direct a show about Israel for the final day, when the patents come to 'collect their kids', before going back home... 

    It was very strange, to travel on the bus without Tsipi and being unable to share with her, the discovery of the new places on my way to North Carolina... I traveled through stats like Utah, Colorado and Kansas changing buses and getting to know a variety of people: all Americans... I met students on their summer vacation and solders on home leave, as well as young men, who were tired of their jobs and were looking for something more exciting in another state... I once met an old Indian medicine man, who was coming back home from a visit to another Tribe... He entertained me with stories about his tribe's history culture legends and myths... The meaning of his Indian name was: "The One who Heals"..."How did they know you are going to become a Medicine Man when they named you?" I asked.  He explained that he was coming from a long line of healers, where the gift of healing is hereditary... Before we parted he mumbled an Indian blessing, moving his hands around my head and wished me to find a good, strong husband and have many sons... As we said goodbye, 'The One who Heals', gave me a small "Magic Wand as a gift which I keep until this very day...  A student from the university of Berkley in California, who was traveling on the same bus, was telling me about a new Psychedelic drug called LSD and how it expands people's mind and consciousness, as well as enabling the user, to see different shades of Colors, Angels and Fairies dancing in the trees... He said that when you use it, 'plain food' becomes an amazing Culinary Experience and regular Soda, could taste like the Nectar of the Gods on Mount Olympus... I didn't judge him, nor those who experimented with drugs, but in spite of my great curiosity, there was no way I was  ever going to partake in such activities!

North Carolina

 As the unit leader
(second from left)

Young Judea Camp

   My work at the camp was a new and exciting experience... I enjoyed the beauty     of North Carolina, as well as the campers   who came from all over the U.S and were making fun of each others' accent'...The one thing they all had in common was Judaism  and their love for Israel... I was moved by their  strong ties to our Biblical homeland and  culture, which were intertwined in the camp's curriculum... The use of the  Hebrew language was everywhere: Signs in English and Hebrew were written on the doors where activities were taking place: Chadar-Ochel -- Dining room, Mirpeah -- Infirmary, Misrad -- office  Moadon -- club, Miklachot -- showers, Brecha -- swimming pool, and Batey -Shimush -- toilets...

   The fact I was a real "Sabra" (Israeli born) who served in the Israeli army, gave me a special brand of respect and popularity; especially after I showed the kids some photos from my military days, holding my Uzi ... During the two years at the University of Houston, my minor was Theater Directing and a major in Psychology I used my new skills to direct a play (which I have written) about the bitter War for Independence in 1947.  The play was ready for the day of graduation, when the parents arrive to pick up their kids from the summer camp... It was a great success! The fact that I lived through this war as a child, added to the drama and reality of the play... The parents as well as the kids, showered me with love and admiration... I was invited to come and stay in their homes before I go back to Israel and  they all promised to visit me there, when they would finally be able to come to our beautiful Biblical country... I gave them my parents phone number and asked them to please call!

 The Queen Mary

Queen Mary

Goodbye Statue
of Liberty

    At the end of the two months in the camp, I took my final long trip on a Greyhound bus to N.Y. and boarded the Queen Mary, for its trip to England; where I planed to visit first, before the rest of the other countries in Europe I didn't see during my first trip... I was standing on the deck of the ship, which began it's voyage from the harbor in Manhattan to the open sea, and was looking at the white wake it left behind, taking photos of Manhattan's sky line and of the Statue of Liberty, watching them getting smaller and smaller... "Goodbye Statue of liberty goodbye Manhattan, Goodbye America, I will never see you again!" I whispered and letting one or two sentimental tears. go down my chicks..... I had no clue, nor the slightest premonition, that in three years    I would be back in the US, which would eventually become my permanent home, where I will be happily married, have a child and get a PHD degree in Psychology... Bellow is a page from in my diar about the journey from N.Y to England...

 " My trip across the Ocean is incredible... What an amazing freedom it is, to have no responsibilities... Just be able to sit and listen to the waves, enjoy the sun on my face, the wind playing with my hair and feeling care free, young and beautiful... How easy it is to become addicted to cruising"...  I wrote in my diary as I was sitting on my deck chair, covered with a blanket and taking in the familiar salty air of the Atlantic ocean... As always, I made friends easily... We ate together, had long conversations and played ping pong, shuffle board and Trivia... We went to the shows, watched movies and the biggest problem    we seemed to have, was our inability to decide which of the bands we should choose, for our dancing   that evening... We were flirting and enjoyed the typical light shipboard romances, which changed daily like falling leaves in the X Autem. The cruise came to an end at the port of Southampton... It was earl y     in the morning, but the passengers were already lined up on the deck, leaning on the rails, watching the shores of England materializing through the fog... After exchanging addresses with my new friend, we hugged each other and went on our separate ways...I got on the train to London and found a seat by the window... As it began to move, my hart was beating with excitement, matching the rhythm of the wheels   I was looking forward, to finally see London, the city I have seen in the movies and got to know so well through some of my beloved books...

With Love and Light,
Shira

European Vacation II . V, XXX OO

Hello everyone,

   I have been leafing through the pages of my old diary, in order to remember my second European Trip After all, many years past by, since I was the young woman, who disembarked from the Queen Mary in England's South Hampton Port, during the summer of 1965 and sailed on La France, which took me to the U.S.A...  I was feeling much more mature, independent and (hopefully) more sophisticated... After all I traveled through Europe, continued to America, lived on my own, worked and traveled for two years all over the US (well, almost all over...)  Gained a full command of the English language and completed two years of college education... I also saved some money and was handsomely paid, for my work as a Unite Leader at Camp Young Judea", during the summer before this trip and was not ready, to go back home to Israel... However, this will not take place before going back to Europe for the second time, so I can visit the countries I have missed two years ago, during my first visit!

London, England

"Dear Anne 

   I stepped off the train in London, umbrella in hand, walked outside the terminal and was extremely disappointed... "It Was Not Raining!  The sky was blue and the sun was shining bright... For a moment I  wounded if I made a mistake and instead of taking the train to London, I took one to Rome...The London   I read about in books and saw in the movies, was supposed to have Gray clouds and constant 'poring rain'! and the streets should be crowded with people, holding ope  black Umbrellas above their heads... When I expressed my disappointment, to the owner of the small Bed and Breakfast hotel, where I stayed she put her finger on her lips and said:"Hush Lassie, let's count our blessings, the rain will come back soon enough!  Don't worry dear,  I promise you will see plenty of it!"

London Taxis

London's Umbrellas

  How lovely this city is! I find my way by looking at a small map, then walk for a while, take a bus or get on the London Underground,in order to arrive to my destination At times I splurge and take a taxi, which looks like the taxis I have seen in the black and white movies, about the second World War... So far I visited the National Gallery the British Museum and went to see Hyde Park,Trafalgar Square the famous 'London Bridge' and discovered the Tower of London, where Henry the VIII, ordered the execution of his many wives...

Big Ben and me

The British Museum

   Covent Gardens seemed exactly as I remembered from the movie My Fair Lady... I was excited to visit the "House of Parliament" and became nostalgic, when I heard 'Big Ben' chiming the same melody as our 'Grandfather clock did, which I heard my entire life at my parents Home... I was enjoying every moment, in spite of the blister on my left foot, the result of running around London wearing high heels...

The Tower of London

Westminster Abbey

    I have always believed that when visiting a new country, the most impotent thing is getting to know the People... One of them is my sweet landlady, Mrs XX  who helped me "Nurse my blisters, by soaking my foot  in warm water... Every Afternoon, we would have our TEA, served in delicate antique china set, which used to be her grandmother's...The tea is served with delicious pastries named Scones and Crumpets, covered with butter and dripping with home made Raspberry Jam... I named the pastries "Stones and Trumpets", which made my landlady roar with laughter.... After saying that I fear I have gained several "'stones" (pounds) of my own, because of these daily Tea parties, my land lady laughed and assured me that I have nothing to worry about, since I have a "Lovely Figure!"..."You don't want to look like our model Twiggy, who looks like a 'Broom stick', do you Lassie?" She asked. "No!" I said and helped myself to another  "Trumpet"... The British are so polite! When I stop people on the street, to ask for directions, they patiently and graciously direct me to my destination and then say:"Thank you"... At one point when I asked a good looking police officer, how to get to Buckingham Palace, he smiled, gave me directions, thanked me and then said in his charming British accent: "Are you invited there for Tea?" "I wish!" I answered smiling...
Yours, Shira"

Holland
"Dear Anne
  I started my second tour of Europe, holding in one hand, a book called 'See Europe in five dollars a day' and in the other, a 'Eurail Pass' which is train ticket, similar to the Greyhound bus tour, Tsipi and I took in the U.S.A...This pass enables 'poor students' like me, to travel all over Europe by train, up to three months  for a minimal fee, as long as we don't visit the same country more the once... (Kind of strange isn't it?)

Holland's windmills
and tulips

   How lovely Holland is, with its colorful tulips, picturesque Windmills and bridges on which lovers lean on... The tourist agency at the train station, was filled up with many travelers like me, who lived on a small budget... Since it ran out of affordable hotels, I was  offered  a room in a private home, suitable for a student pocket...I was delighted; "How fun would it be,  to stay at the home of a local Dutch family, and experience living in this country the way the residents did; aAgreat way to do so!

  Charles, a twenty-five years old psychology graduate, from Mississippi, with a short, black goatee, took a room in the same house. as I did... He rescued me from the hot pursuit of an Arab student from Syria, who refused to leave me alone, even after I told him that I am a Sargent in the Israeli army (Thus, his enemy...) Charles and I took a streetcar to the apartment of a widowed, middle aged Dutch woman, whose Jewish husband, was a concentration camp survivor and passed away two years earlier... We spent two days getting to know some parts of this beautiful city...  We took bus tours, X sampled the food in the local restaurants, went dancing and Charles (not me) was falling in love.... "Please come with me to Paris!"   He urged me, but I didn't care for him that much, besides, I have seen Paris before and there were so many more cities to discover in Europe and such a short time to do so!

By the Canal
in Amsterdam

   The day after Charles left, I took a tour on one of the canals,where I met two American    guys; Richard and Josh... Both showered me with attention, and seemed to compete with one another, who would please me more!  We shared a similar sense of humor (light and  a bit cynical)... Like me, they loved to laugh and after several hours on the boat the three of us became close friends! We were walking together on the sidewalks, with me in the middle and our hands wrapped around each other's waist...

   I wanted to see the red-light district, but they insisted it was not a place for me! We     sat at small sidewalk Cafes, looking at the people who walked by, trying to guess what   were heir nationality and occupation... After a while, we resumed walking, singing and giggling... People turned their heads to look at the happy 'Threesome', who seemed to be 'drunk on life'... Some would turn again to look at us; again, probably wondering about the connection between us..."Were we friends or   Friends? Is it some kind of a strange small romance for three?" I don't think we knew what it was either nor did we really care... My two 'knights' told me they were leaving for Spain the following day in a rented car and begged me to join them, but I declined... "Sorry, but I have already made plans to go to Brussels and Rome...They tried to convince me to change my plans, but although I was tempted, my Intuition told me it may lead to complications... It would be best to save this 'Beautiful Encounter' in my memory bank just as it was: Unusual, Sweet, Pure and Full with Joy, Laughter and Innocent Love, just like it used to be when we were in Kindergarten, so many years ago...

   The day after they left, I took a bus tour from Amsterdam to the countryside... At one of the stops, I began a conversation with three American officers, stationed in Germany: Terry, Jerry and John. When  we got back on the bus, John sat next to me... We didn't talk much, he was a bit shy and I liked it... the   two of us were looking through the window, at the 'moving tapestry' of colorful tulips and the many Windmills...John was tall and handsome, his blond crew cut was shining in the sun, like a golden field     of wheat, which was just harvested. I had a strange urge to move my fingers through his hair,  but wouldn't dare doing so...

John and I

  John did not try to impress me, nor did he put his arm around me on the bus, or later as we were walking... He was very gentle, sweet and attentive; so different from some of the aggressive"pawing" men, I have met on my trips... We spent three beautiful days together In one of the nightclubs, where we went to dance, the band was teasing us by playing the melody: "Love is a many splendor things"... "If they only knew we have just met the day before" I whispered in John's ear... The people at the club were looking at us with tender smiles... We must have made a lovely picture: His hair was short and very light, mine was dark and reaching my shoulders... We were bouth tall, good looking and seemed to be madly in love; which in a crazy way, we were... I put my head on his shoulder, feeling the softness of his maroon sweater on my cheek and he rested his chin on my hair...If only this                    never ends, if we could just stay like, this frozen in time,with no expectations from one another...

Anne Frank's house

  The next day ,we went to visit Anne Frank's House, the house of my dear       old friend, to whom I have been writing in my diary for so many years."Can  you see from wherever you are, the long line of people from all over the world, who read your diary and come to see the place where you hid, during the war?   I wish you could see all these people, patiently stand in the long line, waiting   to get into the home, they know so well from reading your famous dairy!  I do  believe that as much as they admire you, not one of these people, has or had the special bond, which you and I have shared  during rhe years,Ann, not even one! one......                                                 

  It was time to take the train to Belgium. ... John asked if he could join me, but I refused...Unlike Charles  he didn't push and I loved him for that... I felt that the beauty of what we created, was in the moments     we spent together... Why should we risk ruining it? John came with me to the train station and before        I boarded, he carefully brushed aside a strand of hair, which covered my eye, then gently kissed me very gently on my forhead... "You are so beautiful" He whispered "I'll miss you!" and I felt like crying...
Yours, Shira"

Rome, Italy
"Dear Anne

Carla and me

   On the train to Rome, I set across a vivacious Italian woman, named Augusta and her twenty years old niece Carla. Their English was limited, but somehow we were able to converse...They laughed uproariously, when I told Augusta she reminds me of Anna Maneani, the famous Italian movie star. "Every one say like this!" Agusta told me in her broken English."Now you talk who Carla look like? Maybe  Sofia Loren?" "No" I answered, "Sofia Loren is big, Carla is very little, she looks more like Gina Lollobrigida"! "You know names the actors Italiano? I know all actors Americanos! You Chira look same sister with Eva Gardner!"(I wish!) We became fast friends and they insisted I share the lunch they brought with them on the train...

Anna Maniani	Sophia Loren	Gina Lollobrigida	Ava Gardner

  Before we got off the train, I gave them the name of my hotel and the very same evening, they came to take me to their apartment for dinner... There I met several young men and women, they invited to meet me... I was received by everyone, as if I was a long lost relative! My new friends, took me to see several 'places of interest' in the city, among them, one of the most fashionable streets, The Via Veneto as well  as the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and many other well known Tourist Attractions...

  

The Spanish Steps

The Colosseum

  I made my new friends promise me, to come to Israel, so I could reciprocate their generous and lovely hospitality! After three days in Rome, they insisted on coming with me to the 'Stazione Di Treni', where I would take the train for Naples. We parted with kisses, hugs, tears and promises to visit each other... The train started to move, I was waving goodby to my new Italian  friends, from the window window,to my new                    feeling as if we have known each other forever....
                                              

"Dear Anne,
    A young man wearing a suit, was sitting by himself, when I entered one of the small compartments of First Class. (I decided to splurge and sit in one, before my trip came to an end...) 'Prego! Prego!' He said when I asked his permission to sit across from him. He lifted my heavy suitcase and placed it on the rack above my seat.  His name was Paulo, a lawyer, traveling from Rome to Naples on business. His English was perfect, since he studied International Law in England, several years before. He invited me to dine with him at the train's restaurant, ordering a bottle of Italian wine, to have with our pasta. I told him I  was not used to alcohol, not even to wine, but he convinced me to try, saying the wine he ordered is very mild. After several sips I started to feel a bit intoxicated... On the way back to our cabin, I had to hold on to the handrails of the narrow corridor, to prevent myself from falling... "I think I am drunk," I said, trying to adjust myself to the movements of the train. Paulo couldn't stop laughed; "But this wine is like water Chira! You didn't even have one full cup!" He protested... We were talking and laughing, during the time it took us to get to Naples. When we arrived to the outskirts of the city, Paulo became very serious. He stood up, put on his jacket, cleared his throat and said: "I never felt this way before Chira! You are the most beautiful, interesting, intelligent and fantastic woman I have ever met! Will you marry me, my angel from the Holy Land?"  To my surprise he seemed genuinely offended, when I started to laugh. "You are kidding aren't you?" I said and to my astonishment, I saw tears coming to his eyes. "No, I am not kidding! I really fell in love with you, don't you believe me? I know it is too fast, but you are leaving to go back to Israel, I don't want to loos you, please say yes, I promise to make you very happy!" 

    I honestly don't know if this was the wine, a typical Italian melodrama, or if he really meant it...
Yours, Shira"

Naples and Brindisi, Italy

 "Dear Anne,

Naples

There is a saying: "See Naples and Die!" I read somewhere, that it was a warning

for travelers, regarding a deadly Cholera epidemic in Naples, which took place during the 1880's... Personally, I believe that it realy means:"You should see Naples Before you die!" Since it's beauty, takes people breath away! I had incredible three days in this beautiful city, meeting lovely people, touring, dining in local restaurant  and was going with the new friends I met, to dance the Twist, from one nightclub to another... On the fourth day, I left for the port of Brindisi, to board the Greek ship which would take me back home, to Israel...  I was standing on the deck, waving goodbye to the new friends I met in Naples, who insisted on driving me to the ship...  We were all wiping our tears at the same time... As the ship began to move, from the port to the open sea   I became very sad, wondering if soon, I will also get married, like the rest of my friends, have kids and will never travel again by myself..."At least I saw the world and had lot's of fun." I was thinking...

Port of Brindisi

   Is coming back to Israel would make a stop to my need to wander in foreign cities, listen to sounds of  strange languages and ethnic melodies, enjoy the new flavor of unfamiliar food and smell the unique aroma, which each new country seemed to have? Is it all over now? What about Spain, the Scandinavian countries and Russia, What about Africa? the Far East and China? Would I never be able to see, the cherry blossoms and the Pagodas of Japan? How about India and the Taj Mahal? or Hawaii, Australia and new Zealand, Brazil Argentina and the Amazon river? There is so much more I would like to see... Is coming back to Israel, means the end of my traveling?Am I now going to get married and have babies like everyone else? Is this trip the last one before I settle down, get married and have kids, like all my friends?  Was this trip  finally going to satisfy my  thirst and desire to see the world ? Only the future could tell...

Yours, Shira"

On the way to Israel
"Dear Anne,

The Parthenon

   I am sharing a cabin with an Israeli young woman about my age. Yesterday we stopped in Athens and I was able to visit the Parthenon! I am reflecting on this last European trip and remember how I enjoyed every minute of it, especially the short and unfinished  Romances... I think about the 'strangers' I met on the River Cruises and the people in London, Brussels, Rome and Naples... All the men and women who were complete strangers, I learned to care for and love, in such a short time... The intimacy and especially the pain of separation, were so intense and surreal, it was almost out of this world!  and maybe it was... How do I love all those innocent and short "Love affairs", which have no Past and no Future, just the pure moment of the Present, the Now!Yours, Shira"

Los Angeles, CA, USA
2017
  How could I have known then, that throughout the years, I would visit again, with my American husband Al, most of the places I feared I will never see: Ireland, Scotland and the Scandinavian countries, Russia, Mexico, South America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti, in addition to a few countries in the Far East... As I am reading now (so many years later) the faded wards in my old diary, l can see all of this through the lenses of my new Spiritual Understanding and knowledge: All the "strangers" I met, were  not strangers at all... I believe that we have  know, loved and recognized each other, because we shared our past lives together!It could explain the magical sensation, intense moments and pure love, we felt when we met each other, as well as the pain of saying good-by...Maybe there is more than a grain of truth that these encounter felt as if they were "Out of this world". Beause they probebly were...

With Love and Light,
Shira