European Vacation . .XX. 00

Hello everyone

   I was twelve years old, when I read The Diary of Anne Frank... For several days I was walking in a daze and finally went into 'Jacob's Stationary Store, near our school, bought a thick hard-bound notebook and began to write my very own dairy; addressing it to 'Anne Frank' or actually' to her spirit...

Anne Frank	Anne's diary	Shira Cohen	Shira's diary

    I told her how much I admire her courage and writing abilities' and since I am also a Jewish girl about the same age she was, when she started to write her diary, I decided to write a dairy like she did, sharing the typical life of a twelve years old girl, who was born and raised in Israel... In my writing to Ann or rather to her spirit... I described my small dramas (which seemed very big) telling her about my family  and the friends from my neighborhood and school... I wrote about my feelings of Excitements and Joy Sadness, Anger and Frustrations with  'Life's Unfairness, my dreams for the future and the new budding emotions of love, which bloomed and withered in a speed of falling stars...When I was sad and closed my eyes, it felt as if Ann was Gently drying my tears and helps me overcome my 'Growing Pains'... She was  becoming my most Intimate and most comforting friend!  Years later Ann would 'Travel with me', on my first European trip... Ann became my closest companion and years later, was by my side when I boarded the ship to the USA.  I am going to share with you, dear readers, some of the pages in my diary,which is  now an old notebook,very old, with pages which are  bit yellow, like falling leaves in the Atum..X

1962

   "Well here I am on the Cruise Ship"Jerusalem"! A twenty one years young women, on her first Cruise to Europe; a trip she planned and visualized for so many years! Until now I have lived on a very "Strict Diet" of 'Casual Dates', avoiding men I may fall in love with; which would prevent me from achieving my dreams... After two years in the military,wearing 'X Ka  "x Kaki" Uniforms'; I am now wearing cloths with 'Rainbow Colors'! Since there is no danger of  falling into the 'Marriage Trap', during such a short trip; I am ready to play! I met a few 'Interesting Young Men', with whom I dance and 'Flirt'', among them 'Marcus, who is on is returning to his home in Switzerland, after a vacation in Israel with his parents, sister and their car... Marcus has been following me everywhere on the ship and when I told him that  Switzerland was one of  my destinations, he offered to take a few days off to show me around! How could I resist such an opportunity? I took his Phone Number...  Yours, Shira" 

          Germany

Besides Marcus, I met  on the ship a 'Middle aged couple', returning from vacation in Israel with  their car... They invited me to join them on their trip to Munich, and I was happy to except... We found out they live just a few streets away, from my mom's second cousin, with whom I was going to stay for awhile...  The three of us began our long drive, from the Italian port of Genoa, stopping overnight in a small, charming hotel... I was looking through the window; taking in the magnificent European landscape, especially the Dark Green Forests     I have never seen in Israel... The lush woods seemed very familiar, maybe because of the books I devoured as a child... I remember the stories about "Hansel and Gretel, the two kids who got lost in a Forest and met a 'Wicked Witch'... I must admit that when we crossed the border to Germany,  I had a few moments of 'Anxiety', when a tall Border Police officer, in Uniform came to check our Passports... It made me think of the the stories I read and heard  besides several  few movies, about the Nazis arresting people at the Boarder, during the second world war and felt 'Uncomfortable'... My new friends Clara and Mark, told me that many of the Israelis, feel this way as they enter Germany for the first time; even though many years past by since the X Holycast..."xYou will get used to it!" They assured me. After several  hours on the road, we finally arrived to my mother's cousins condominium, in a High Rise Building, in a suburb of Munich.. I thanked my new friends, exchanged phone numbers and took the elevator up to the Ninth Floor... Where my new hosts, my mothers cousin Sara and  her husband Bernie lived... Yours Shira

       

 

Sight seeing

    Sara and Bernie received me with open arms and took me to see        the"Most interesting places" in and around this lovely city... we dined      in 'Fancy' Restaurants, visited Museums, attended Concerts and met         a few of their friends... Bernie introduced me to Helmut, a pleasant      polite, thirty-two years old Textile Engineer, who 'Fell in love' with        me, after two dates and asked me to marry him and stay in Germany       It  was 'Weird' to go out with someone 'So Old' (and German...) but Helmut turned out to be an intelligent and sensitive man, with a great sense of humor, who took me out to see the city and introduced me to                                         several of his friends ... 

With Helmut

   Helmut couldn't understand, why I would not have a drink at the Night Clubs we visited...X"Israelis and alcohol don't mix!" I tried to explain."We were brought up to avoid Alcohol, except for a sip of wine on Friday night and some of the Jewish holidays and ceremonies..."Maybe the Israelis don't drink because we must be Alert at all times, in order to protect our little country in case of a War!" I said to my new friend, who seemed to accept  my 'explanation' and was sipping his drink by himself, while I was enjoying lemonade, looking around and 'Taking In' the unfamiliar scene of the Night Club; where I was looking around with eyes full of excitement and wonder...

    "Dear Anne

   A few nights ago, Helmut took me to an exclusive Night Club...  When the waiter was about to pour        the champagne for me, I covered the glass with my hand... Helmut became a bit Annoyed, which was a surprise; so I agreed to take a Sip and  had another surprise; I liked it! The two of us,were seeing each other almost every night  and this was the first time I have seen him Annoyed... x״A zip of champagne Vill not kill an Uzi shooting zolder like you!״ He said in his German accent; x" You don't have to protect your country right zis minute! How can you be a 'Voman of zhe Vorld, if you never tasted Champagne?!"  O.k  I'll try it!״ I said... The truth was that I was ״Dying״ to find out what Champagne tastes like, but didn't want to admit it... I have read and seen several movies about this 'Nectar' (Gigi one of them) and was extremely curious, so I let Helmut 'convince' me...  My first reaction when I tasted it, was that of a big disappointment!"I don't see what is the Big Deal about Champagne!" I said as I emptied my third glass  "It tastes just like lemonade!" I found out the difference when we were ready to leave and I was unable    to stand up or walk straight... Helmut who was 'Laughing his head off ', supported (almost lifting me)     on the way to his car. When he opened the door, I took one step forward and 'Threw Up' all over the seat...   I don't remember much from that moment on, except that I woke up the next morning at Sara     and Bernie's place, suffering from the worst pounding Headache I have ever had!

"Dear Anne

     Sara and Bernie were very amused by my reaction to the Champagne... I heard them laughing out    loud, when they spoke on the phone with their friend, who came to see me in the afternoon, after I refused to answer his calls, since I was very embarrassed... I finally agreed to come out of my room, after covering my head and face with a pillow case...X "Don't be zilly!" Helmot was laughing, removing the pillow case "In Chermany, everyvon trinks too much and trows up! My car is 'vashed and clean and I vill pick you  up tonight at zeven O'clock!" X He said. "Are you sure you still want to marry me after this?" X I asked him and he began to laugh:"Even more zen before libling! I can't vait to see you again pretty girl"...

"Not for Jews"

   Sara and Bernie owned an apartment in Italy, in a small beach.  town called Milano Maritime, where they used to spend a part of their summer vacation... As much as I enjoyed myself, I realized that I was happy to leave Germany behind... I couldn't stop thinking of the evil which took place in this country and found myself looking at all the older men in the streets, wondering if they were involved in the horrors of the Nazi Regime... One day, as I was walking with Sara and Bernie in a lovely park, lined with trees and flower beds, I saw a woman,who who sitting on one of a benches, warming herself in the sun,,, I couldn't stop thinking that this might be one of those benches, which during the war had a warning; "No Jews allowed"

 

    up XX

Italy

   Dear Anne,

"Dear Anne,

    Milano Maritima is a disappointment... It is a beach town, just like many we have   in Israel... After two days I began to feel bored and restless, wondering if I should leave for Switzerland earlier then I had planned...The three of us were sitting in a an Outdoor Cafe when a very pleasant looking man, approached our table and politely asked me something in Italian... Bernie, who speaks Italiamn, told me after talking for a while with the young man, that 'Luca' became curious, when he heard me talk talk to Sara in Hebrew and was wondering, which language it was..."What a great excuse!" Sara told me in Hebrew winking... Luca introduced himself as a student of economics, at the university of Bologna, who was spending his summer vacation at home. Upon hearing that I am a tourist from Israel, he asked if he may show his hospitality, by driving me around and asked if there was anything special I wanted to see "How about Venice?!" I said immediately, a bit too fast... Luca smiled at my enthusiasm and said some thing in Italian, which sounded like: "I am at your service"...  "Bernie, please tell him this will truly make me very happy!" I said looking into Luca's eyes and smiling one of my most beautiful smiles, holding my hands on my heart to express my gratitude...

"Dear Anne,
  Luca speaks Italian and French only, which made the conversation between us practically impossible... We drove to Venice in his small red car, trying to communicate by using the  small English- Italian dictionary, he brought with him and a bit of 'Pantomime'... It took       us about two hours to arrive to Venice, a city which immediately took my breath away!    Luca was very respectful, a true gentleman! The two of us were walking in this enchanting city, holding hands... We didn't really need words! I was amazed at the feelings of comfort  and total peace we were sharing... At times, if we wanted to communicate something important, Luca would stop one of the people who walked by, asking if they spoke          English and those who did, helped us understand each other and seemed to enjoy            being a part of our 'Silent Romance'...

Luca and I	By a canal in Venice	San Marco Square

   The night after we came back, Luca receiving my 'Hosts Agreement' to take me to a party   at his cousin's apartment... I couldn't wait to tell my Israeli friends about this Italian party... Most of the people were around our age and everyone was very nice and hospitable...They wanted to know more about Israel and were paying me attention and complement ('Bella, Belisema!') Dominic, one of Luca's friends who spoke English, helped us find out what we were unable to learn about each other...This 'Interlude' with Luca, has been one of  the most 'Innocent Romantic Adventure, I have ever had... The two of us were holding hands and were looking into each other's eyes... Maybe when there is no barrier of language, the souls' take over the need for words... Dominic was watching us, looking with awe at  what seemed to be   special 'Spiritual Connection', which rarely happens in people's lifetime... (if at all) and I could tell he was jealous...
Yours, Shira                                                       

 

 Bernie and Sara were genuinely sorry to see me leave... I once heard her telling a friend in German (which I started to understand) how happy she was about my visit and that I fill her heart with Gladness... There were tears in our eyes when we finally said goodbye, promising to keep in touch forever! Luca drove me to the Train Station, where I would take the train to Switzerland. It was very sad to say goodbye, knowing we will never meet again... He took my hand and brought it to his lips, then looked into my eyes and said in English, 'I love you.' I wiped a tear and for the first time kissed him lightly on the lips and I was watching him through the window of the moving train, standing on the platform waving to me, until he disappeared... 

Yours, Shira"

Switzerland

"Dear Anne,

    Marcus, who evidently received the telegram about my arrival, was waiting for me at the Zurich train station... It was Friday night and he insisted I come to his parents house for the Friday Night Dinner, before I go to the small hotel I was going to stay... The house seemed to me like a small palace; There was marble everywhere, huge circular staircase, gilded mirrors on the walls and crystal chandeliers... His parents, sister and grandparents who welcomed me and were warm and kind, were trying their best to make me feel comfortable... When we set at the dining room table, his mother recited the Hebrew prayer as she lit the candles, his father blessed over the wine and Marcus said the blessing over the Chalah (the Sabbath bread) My Israeli friends   and I were "Anti-Religion", which meant we did not like to be Forced in to celebrating some  of the Jewish Holidays ... So I was surprised to find myself 'Moved', by the ceremony and was amazed to see that our Tradition is still 'alive', in Jewish homes all over the world...

One of
Switzerland's lakes

Snow-capped
mountains

  Each morning, Marcus would pick me up at my small hotel and we would drive in his sport's car to a different destination... It was amazing to see how clean, almost manicured, Switzerland was  and how lovely were the lakes and the snow capped mountains... Marcus looked at me with great pleasure, every time I expressed my joy at the sight of something new... He said that my love of life and enthusiastic curiosity, were contagious and it was making him see all the places he took for granted all over again... It was clear that Marcus was falling in love! Two days before I was going to leave, he asked me to cancel my trip and stay in Switzerland..."My family is in love  with with you, just like I am!" He said. "I told them I am going to ask you to stay! How about it Shira? Please stay, get to know Switzerland and after we know each other better, I would like you to be my wife!" I told Marcus how touched I was but it was way to soon and fast, to make such an important decision... I explained that I am registered to study at the University of Texas and was obligated to teach in a Hebrew School... It was against my principles, to back out from obligations I made... I told him that I plan to spend some time on my own, so I can become more independent, before settling into married life and was surprised to see tears in his eye... "You never know what may happen in the future" I said, trying to comfort him...  The truth was that I did not care for Marcus this way, not like I did  for my silent Luca...

  After a week Marcus drove me to the train station, where I was about to take the train to Paris... When it started to move, I found myself doing what seemed to become a pattern by  now: Waving goodbye at the window of a moving train, to a man I will probably never see again... I settled in my sit and looked through the window... What a pleasure it is to see the passing view and the farmers,working in the ripe yellow fields. It resembled some of Van XGogh paintings... I was looking at the neat Bales of Hay, ready to be picked up  the fruit trees, swaying in the wind and the children, who were waving to the passing train... It was wonderful to sit like this, looking through the window! How soothing it was to be gently rocked by the movements of a train, listen to the lullaby of the singing wheels and trying   hard to keep my eyes open, so I wouldn't miss a thing...

France

         "Dear Anne,"

    I am in Paris! Right now I am staying in the tiny apartment of Marcel, my uncle Chaim nephew and   his only relative, who survived the Holocaust... I remember Marcel as a very thin, tall redhead teenager when he came to Israel in 1952, to meet for the first time, the only relative he was left with; my Uncle Chaim, who is married to my mother's sister Ruth... As a child, I was told that during the war, Marcel   was hiding in a basement in Paris.. I began to cry after seeing my uncle and aunt weeping, hugging and begging Marcel to stay with them in Israel, but he chose to go back to Paris, because he was very attached to the French couple, who endangered their lives, by hiding him in their house from the Nazis... Now he    was married now to Nicol, his a pretty Moroccan-Jewish wife and a father to their two months old baby David, who is now is now my tiny 'Roommate'... 

    I have never seen such a small apartment in my life! Just two and a half  tini rooms, including a small kitchen! In order to take a shower, one has to put down the toilet lid and sit on it, while turning the water on... I don't know if my hosts are very poor, or this is how people live in Paris... It actually brings to mind a similar apartment, I have seen in one of the 'Film Noir' of François Truffaut, I watched together with my high school friend Yoram, after we cut classes and escaped from our high school, to watch Art movies in  a small theater in Tel Aviv... Unfortunatel, my French hosts and I have a problem communicating, since they don't speak Hebrew or English and my high school French (which was never great) is kind of 'Rusty' Marcel knows some Yiddish and I remember a few words wich  I learned from my parents conversations with my grandfather, who loived with us. I know a bit of German, which is similar to Yiddish, which I picked up in my childhood from the family of refugees, who shared a house with my friend Miriam's family... So with Marcel's Yiddish and French and my mixture of little French and German, we somehow managed to understand each other... The Pantomime I used as a child, when I had to communicate with our Bulgarian speaking neighbors and lately, with Luca in Italy, helped as well... Marcel and Nicol were expecting my visit, after reading uncle Chaim's letter and received me with open arms... I gave them the gifts our family sent with me, which I have been carrying throughout Europe, together with the cute blue outfits and hat, my aunt Ruth knitted for the baby... Nicol's thirteen years old brother Jacques, who speaks a little English, came to help us bridge the gaps in our conversations and was able to correct a few miss understandings we made... After  a hearty laughter, Jacques reluctantly offered (rather was told) to show me the 'City of Light'... What a City!!!  We went to see tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triumph, the Louvre, the Opera Building and  of course the Champs Elise...

Notre Dame	Me and the Arc de Triumph	Eiffel Tower and me	In front of the Opera Building

   The Parisian men could be rather aggressive with their attention to women... One of them was persistent and annoying in particular! He was walking behind us, showering me with what seemed to be compliments in French, which Jacques refused to translate... I finally asked Jacques to tell this man to stop bothering me and go away! The kid looked at me and turned his head from side to side saying "No!" I was stunned and a bit heart: "Can you tell me why not, Jacques?" I asked a bit hurt."But I am not your 'Chevalier'! He answered... I could have boxed his ears if I was not laughing so hard...

          Yours, Shira",

            Dear Anne,

    I am on the train, sitting in a small compartment for six, on my way to La Havre,where         I am about to embark on one of the largest and fanciest cruise ships in the world; The S.S France, which will take me to the next part of my trip: The United States of America! Marcel   Nicol and I, became very sentimental when we said goodbye at the train station "Gare de Lyon"... Even my thirteen years old "Reluctant Chevalier"Jacques, seemed a bit sad... During the days the two of us ran around Paris, I used to annoy him, the way older sister would, by singing again and again the first line of the only French children's song I knew: ♫ "Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques, Dorme vous, Dorme voue?" He would yell at me in French to stop and cover his ears with his hands, when I wouldn't... I believe that in spite of my teasing (or maybe because of it) Jacques developed a 'Prepubescent' crush on me... When I was about to leave Paris, my new friends stood with me at the train station and we departed with hugs and kisses on both cheeks (the French way...) I boarded the train, looking through the window at my new family, which was a bunch of strangers, just a few days before and felt like crying... When the train began to move, they were waving goodby, shouting something in French... I was waving back feeling a deep sadness... I have known these people just one week, we could barely communicate properly, but I truly learned to love them! When Nicol lifted up my little 'Roommate' David and was holding his tiny hand to wave good By, I found myself  crying... 

    It was time to turn my attention to the five people, I shared my compartment with and    was  using my 'fertile imagination' to weave a story... Stimulated by movies, I have seen  about World War II, I imaginined myself sitting in one of the trains, during that period of time... "Maybe the old lady across from me, is one of Agatha Christie's heroins, who is going on a Secret Mission, behind enemy lines... The man besides x her, wearing a grey Fedora hat and a faded khaki raincoat ("A dead give away") must be a double agent... I moved my eyes  to look at the other passengers in the cabin and and saw a mother and her teenage daughter was wearing a Mini Skirt... Seeing the skirt, brought me back from 1940 to the reality of 1962... I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.   

    Nicol sent me on my way with a long bread called 'Baguette',stuffed with all kind of goodie There was also a paper bag, with fresh fruit and delicious Moroccan pastry, which she baked herself... I offered the pastry to my traveling companions... The only one who said 'No' ,was the 'Double Agent', who probably feared the food was poisoned. The soft rocking movements of the train and the rhythmic sound of it's wheels, made my eyelids heavy, in spite of all my efforts to stay awake, so I don't miss the Magnificent View of the French country side;the big trees, cultivated fields, big Frute trees, blue lakes and silvery rivers... So much water! It made me feel compassion for Israel, my beloved country and our 'poor Jordan River' which seemed  now, like a sad little stream...  I felt sad to leave Europe behind, but became excited again, as I visualized myself, boarding the French Ship 'La France' and crossing the Atlantic Ocean on my way to the USA ...

         Yours, Shira

 

Spreading my Wings . V ????? A problem xxxxxxxx

Hello everyone,

    In My Roots, I wrote in details about my oldest aunt Shoshana, who traveled to Europe and adapted the idea of Vegetarianism, when she lived in Germany... While`staying in England for a couple if years, she  got involved with the budding Suffragettes Movement (the original name of the Women Liberation Movement) After returning to Israel (rather Palestine as it was called then) Shoshana and her sisters became "Religious", almost Fanatic Vegetarians... It was said that Shoshana convinced her two younger sisters, that there is no need for any of them to get married and have a husband who will dominate and control them! After all, the two of them were known as respectable Midwives and she, was a Teacher and a Writer! The were financially independent and perfectly capable of taking care of themselves! My Three aunts, were clinging to their new ideology, with fanatic devotion, as if it was a religion! It seems now, that in a way, my poor aunts were many years ahead of their time! As they grew older, the people, in what was then a small, provincial country, used to criticize and ridiculed them... They became a subject of gossip and mockery;  “Look at these three old maids!” the Married women would whispered to each other behind their backs. “It wasn’t good enough for them to get married and have kids, like the rest of us! They thought they were better! look at them now; Three unhappy and lonley Old Maids!”

    After the three sisters could no longer work, they lived together in a small house, which my father, their youngest brother, bought for them...The other brother, my uncle Aron, who was a farmer, supplied all the fruit and vegetables they needed.  Three times a year, my parents with my brother Romy and me, would travel from  Jerusalem, by three buses, to my aunts home in Kfar Saba, the small village where they lived. My ten years old brother, used to protest whenever he heard we were going to visit our aunts and was reprimanded by our parents, who told him he should be nice and respectful towards his old and lonley aunts, who had no kids of their own and who loved us very much!

    Besides avoiding meat, vegans avoid any kind of chemicals, which may be used in food or on the human skin... My three aunts, washed their bodies and hair with olive oil soap only! For the same reason, they wouldn't wear any lipstick or dye their white hair... As I was looking at their wrinkled faces, framed by white hair, they seemed to my five years old fertile imagination, to be Three Witches, like those I saw in the fairy tales stories... To complete the picture, one of them was always busy in the kitchen, stirring some Brew in a large pot, with a long wooden spoon. There was a strong smell of cabbage, garlic and other strange and unpleasant odors, in the little house of the "Three Witches" which made me cringe, whenever they tried to kiss me... We were constantly told by them, what we have already heard repeatedly from our own parents: "Don't ever eat Candy, Ice cream, Popsicle, Cookies or Cakes!!! Remember that Refined Sugar and White Flour are pure Poison!" They also insisted that we chew our food slowly and count up to thirty before swallowing!

   On one of our visits, my brother and I were sitting at the table, eating our veterinarian desert, of grated carrots with lemon juice, cinnamon and honey, which was actually tasty, compared with the other dishes we were served before... Our aunt Lea, was standing next to us counting, to make sure we chew properly and not swallowing the food, before she comes to thirty, to make sure we digest properly...  Suddenly, Rami burst into an uncontrolled laughter, spewing the food in his mouth, all over the table and the floor! I was so afraid I'll do the same, that I swallowed my food in one gulp, way before aunt Leah counted ten... Later, on the bus back to Jerusalem, Rami told our parents, that this was the last time he is going to the house of these three insane witches! My father reprimanded him for making fun of our poor aunts and my mom wiped a tear, as she always did, when we talked about her three poor "sisters  in law...  "This is what happens to people who have too much education, they end up lonely, without a family of their own!" She would say, glancing me to make sure I heard her...

   As I was growing up, my mom was terrified that I may end up like one of my aunts... She claimed that she saw too many similarities between Shoshana and me: A thirst for knowledge, a gifts of writing and especially my conversational skills... The fact that when I was in High school, some of my short stories  began to appear in a local youth magazine, added to my mother's concerns, and so did my plans to travel abroad when I grow up, in order to see the world!  "Ima" would particularly get upset, when I was expressing my distaste, whenever the subject of marriage came up... "Just like Shoshana..." she would whisper in my dad's ear, casting a worried look at my direction. Years later, when my brother was around fifteen years old, I came back home after visiting a friend, and walked at the middle of a dramatic scene....  My father was yelling, my mom was crying and my fourteen years old brother, was very pale, cringing  at the end of the sofa, with his head bowed down... My hysterical parents found out, that instead of going to school, Rami was spending his days in the movie theater!  The worst of it, was the fact that in order to buy the tickets, he sold his schoolbooks!!!  My heart was aching when I saw my older brother looking scared and defeated... I felt very sorry for him, even though he used to insult me by calling me an Idiot, when I couldn't solve my math homework... Now, I actually admired his courage to do what he did! After all, how can one compare sitting in the classroom, to sitting in the movie theater!

   Rami grew up to be a handsome young man, trying to look like Clark Gabble, his movie star idle... He  was talking about going to America, after his military service... (probably dreaming about becoming a movie star.)  It never happened... Rami and his girlfriend Dalia, decided to get married, shortly after he completed his military service and began to work in Bank Discount, where he would eventually became a vice president and stay there until his retirement...

Hollywood, CA	Clark Gable	Rami	A movie theater	Dalia and Rami's wedding

   I clearly remember some of my visits to my brother and sister-in-law's small rented apartment. Rami was twenty three and Dalia nineteen, when they had their first baby, about a year later the second son was on the way... Most of the old furniture in their apartment, which were donated by family members, did not match and the color combination was an eye sore... In the winter, cloth diapers were hanging on a rope, across the living room, above a portable kerosene heater (no "Pampers" in those days). The floor was always littered with toys... Once, my dad almost broke his neck, when he stepped on a small fire engine with six wheels, and started to zigzag on the tile floor, speeding out of control towards the kitchen... Whenever I came for a visit, wearing my military uniforms, I often met Rami and Dalia’s friends, who came for a visit with their own babies... Over coffee, tea and Dalia's home baked cakes, the conversation was mostly about the babies colds, stomach aches, new teeth and dipper rash. After a while, the couples would begin to talk about their common dream, of getting out of their small and crowded rented apartments and buy their own condominium... After listening to words like Loans, Payments, Mortgage, Interest Rates and Collateral... I would excuse myself and go to the next room, to play with my baby nephew Eran, staying there until he fell asleep... I was convinced that the way my brother and his friends lived, was not for me! It didn’t occur to me, that these young couples were very happy, loved each other and their babies and enjoyed building their nest and future together... I didn’t know then, that through hard work, Rami and Dalia would eventually achieve their dream of leaving the rented apartment and through out the years, will sell, buy and upgrade three condos, which were beautifully furnished and decorated with love and good taste...

   My military service finally came to an end! I started to work and save money for my up coming trip to the US... For almost a year I worked at two jobs: Teaching school in the morning and in the evenings working at a Youth Club, with kids who lived in poverty and crime stricken neighborhoods... My dream of traveling was becoming a reality, with every check I deposited in the bank. I was very excited, however my biggest concern was how to support myself when I arrive to the US... I once read that "What we call  'Coincidence', is actually God’s way of remaining anonymous..."  One Saturday morning, my father was enjoying his day of rest, sitting in his favorite reclining chair and reading the weekend newspaper... He suddenly called me over, to look at an add from a Jewish congregation in Texas, which was looking for a teacher of Hebrew and Jewish studies...

Dan Carmel Hotel

Postcard of Dan Hotels

   Two days later, I was on the train to Haifa, the beautiful city on the shore of the Mediterranean sea... At the lobby X of the grand hotel Dan Carmel where I met with an elegant older lady, Mrs. Klein. She and her husband, who were traveling in Israel, volunteered to interview potential teachers for their Temple Hebrew School. The two of us set in the plush and spacious lobby, where we drank tea and talked... Mrs. Klien told me about the temple and the Hebrew school attached to it, and handed me the curriculum to look it over... I presented copies of my teaching credentials and letters of recommendations, given to me by the school principle, were I worked during the day and others, by the Youth Club director where I worked in the evenings... Mrs. Klein told me, that there are several other candidates for this job  job, "however, so far you are my favorite!" she said. "You definitely have good taste, Mrs. Klein," I answered, and we bouth laughed. This lovely lady promised to call the congregation's president that very evening and phone me the following day, with the final answer...

   I was unable to sleep most of the night, waiting for the call ,which came the next morning, with the news that the job is mine! This lovely lady told me that I was chosen over the other applicants, mainly because I planned to study at the university for my BA, which would take four years. "This way, we can count on you as a teacher in our Hebrew school, for more than just one year, as it happened before, with previous teachers... I am looking forward to see you in Texas!" she said before hanging up and my heart almost burst with joy and relief!  Was it just a coincidence, that my father happened to see the add in the paper? Was it another coincidence, when my mother’s cousin Zipora, who lived in Germany, came for a visit a week later and upon hearing my planed trip to Europe, before I continue to the US, invited me to stay with her and her husband, for as long as I wish?  Everything was falling into place! I felt as if a magic carpet is landing at my feet, ready to fly me towards my destiny!

   During my childhood, I have heard about my mother's cousin Zipora and her tragic story... My mom and her grew up in the same small village. Zipora was two years younger and the two of them were very close. Zipora was known to be the most beautiful girl in the village... She met and married a man who lived in Tel Aviv, the big city and moved there... During  those days, Tel Aviv was considered to be the largest and most "European" city in Palestine, especially in compression with their small village... Zipora finally accomplished her dream, of getting away from the small village and live in the big city, with their little girl... Rumors said, that Zipora's husband was "Doing business with the British..." who were very popular and admired, during that  period of time, for liberating our country from the cruel and primitive rule of  Turkey, the Ottoman Empire, during the First World War.  Zipora and her husband, became very involved with the British occupiers... She became known, not only as one of the most beautiful women in Tel Aviv, but as one of it's top hostesses! It was said, that her home was always full with High Society People; English officers and their wive,  as well as known Israeli writers, poets and musicians...

Ready to FLY!!!

    One day, the small city of Tel Aviv, was shaken by the one of greatest scandals it ever had! The rumors were flying from one house to the next, arriving to the remote village of Zichron Yacov and spreading throughout the rest of the small country! Everyone was talking about Zipora, who fell in love with a British officer ("Not even Jewish!!!") left her husband and their four years old child and moved to England!  As the years passed, rumors said that this English husband died from some kind of a disease...  "It didn't take her long to find another husband!..." The rumors said, "this time, her new husband was German..." Zipora's family in Israel disowned her, refusing to meet with her, or allow her to see her daughter, during the few times she came back... My mother was the only one who welcomed her to our home... When Zipora  came for a visit and heard about my plans to travel in Europe, on my way to the US, she invited me to stay at their home in Germany and later go with her and her husband, to their summer apartment in Italy... I happily excepted!

   My extended family and friends, could not get over my courage of traveling by myself, to such far away places! Some were envious, not only because of my trip, but mainly at my ability to resist the pressure of Marriage... Every young Israeli’s dream, was to travel out of our tiny country and see the world, before settling down...There were goodbye parties, given by my friends and family members, where I was showered with small gifts; ("Easy to travel with..." ) There were hugs, tears, advice and good wishes,  mixed with a bit of envy and admiration... "Don't forget us! Make sure to write!" I was told as they hugged and kissed me good by.  Some were crying, as if I was moving to the moon, or to another planet...  I on the other hand, was intoxicated with joy and a sense of accomplishment, as I was getting ready to embark on this biggest and most exciting adventure of my life!

With Love and Light,
Shira

"You're in the Army Now!" . V OO

1960-1962
Hello everyone,

 Before boot camp

 Boot camp

   Unlike my graduation from elementary school, I have no memory's from my high school Formal Graduation,or the party which followed... Most probably because my friends and I were  excited to become "Real Adults'',who couldn't wait to join the army and begin to defend Israel,our small,vulnerable,  beloved and beloved country!

   Boot Camp cooled off some of our enthusiasm... My greatest difficulty was not the strenuous exercises back-breaking walks, repulsive food, or even sleeping in a one long barrack, with twenty women, facing one another... It was the attempt of our commanders to turn us from Me into We! It felt as if 'They' (the officers) were trying to change my Identity, Personality and Break my Will and Spirit, in order to fit me into a Mold... And I didn’t like it at all, nor was I going to let them do so!

 our Uzis- right

Galia & me(left)

   I made a few friends, with whom I  would have long and lasting friendships... Galy, who’s bed was across from mine and several others whos names I have forgotten...Boot camp was not exactly the place for my 'Inner Rebel'; which was born in High School was  very unhappy now with the Restrictions and Regulations and was pushing me to brake as many of them as I was able to... One was sneaking to the Officers Showers, which had individual stoles,  in order to escape the dreadful experience, of showering together with twenty, naked female solders, in one long and crowded room...By doing so, I took the chance of being sent to military jail, but I was willing take it just because the crowded showers, reminded me the photos I have seen, of naked bodies, squeezed together in the Nazi's gas chambers, which were made to look like showers... 

Field training

On a break

   Non of my friends, was willing to join me in the officers showers, mortified that I would even dare thinking about it and suggesting, such a thing! So I went by myself in spite of the chance I may get arrested if caught ... After Basic Training, we were dispersed among several branches of the military... Even though all the girls were well trained in the use of fire arms, we were not expected to be in the Front Lines... The office I worked in was located in the previous 'Palace' of a prominent Arab family, who ran away when Israel was declared to be a Jewish State..... It was situated on top of a hill and had a breath taking view of the Mediterranean Sea... This 'Mini Palace' belonged to a wealthy Arab Pasha, who abundant it during the war in 1946 and fled with his family, to one of the Arab countries... Judging by the number of rooms, this Pasha, must have had at least ten wives and many children... When the war of independence was over, the Israeli military turned the "Palace" into one of the Central Command Posts, where I was doing clerical work, which was not very suitable for my personality, to put it mildly... It was a delightful surprise to find my friend Henia from boot camp! The two of us became "instant" friends with Zippy, who was working in the office across the hall... Zippy had a terrific sense of humor and the two of us would become lifelong 'Best friends'!

   My job was to send notices to the civilian reserved officers, notifying them about the date of their upcoming Yearly Training, which they must participate, in order to stay fit and ready to fight, in case of    a war...Years later, I would joke that if there was a war, while I served in the army, Israel may be loosing  it because of me... I didn’t mean to do it but I made a real blunder with the paper work... My boss, Major Daniel and I, got along very well and became good friends, in spite of the fact he was my commending officer... Danny told me how in his youth, he wanted to be a writer and like I me, was writing poetry and short stories, but it seems fate sent him to another direction The Military! He admired my gift of writing and the poetry wrote, which I often shared with him, during our lunch break... However, he could also be  very frustrated with me, when he asked for a file, which I couldn't find because I misplaced it... he would often  loose    his tamper and have a fit of anger: “What am I going to do with you?!" He would yell in a frustration Xof a  fatherly commander": I am aware that you would rather be some place else, writing poetry, but you must remember that you are in the army now!!!”  He would later apologize for loosing    his temper, though I couldn't blame him for being angry and made an effort to change and become more organized, but  as much as I tried I was  unable to do so; and like a caring father, he forgave me...

   We began our day at 7:00 a.m and ended it at 6:00 p.m, except for staying for 'guard duty', every two weeks and sleep over on folding beds. with a gun by our side...  Solders like me, who lived nearby our Command Post, were allowed to go home after work hours, so besides our uniforms, there was not much  difference, between us and civilians, who worked in an office, except for the fact that we were not payed Each morning we stood at 'Attention' for the Flag Raising Ceremony and late, would march for several blocks through the narrow streets of Jaffa, in order to be reminded, that we were solders! The delighted (and annoying) neighborhood kids, marched behind us yelling: “left, right, left, right, forward march!”  and the shop kippers, would be stand by the doors, smiling and clapping their hands as we passed by...

Henia

Tsipi

 Henia and Tsipi, were among the girls who were serving together with me, in  the "Green Place" (as we named our 'new home'). The three of us developed close friendship, which would last for many years... At one point, I sugested to   create a social group, in order to hang out after our working hours and on the Sabath, our only day off... We decided that each girl would bring one or two "Quality Guys', so we can have a group of friends to socialize with after work hours and on Friday and Saturday nights... Henia who brought Gadi was among the first to get married, Jacob and Tsipi would also become  a husband and wife... The rest of our group, which grew larger, as the years past by, would would stay together for many years ("Accept for Shira, who started the group but left for America!") Years later, I will come with my my husband Al and the two of us invited them to come and stay at our home in California, when they come for a visit to the U.S! And several couples did indeed...

   The group usually met at Tsipi’s home, since it was centrally located in Tel Aviv. Tsipi's mother past away three years before, when Tsipi was only fifteen. Her father was always out, 'looking for a new replacement', which gave us the freedom from parental supervision...  On Friday nights, when our "Nemesis"X,(the religious Jews) went to pray in their synagogues, we gathered at Tsipi’s  place to play cards which we said was "Our Version of Praying”...We intensely disliked the Orthodox Jews, resenting the fact that because of the religious party in the government, public transportation was forbidden ,on the Sabbath, our only day off ! No one in our group owned a car in those day...We created fun events, like Costume Parties for Purim (a "Jewish Halloween")... listened to records by American and British singers and bands, went together to see good movies, ate in inexpensive restaurants (mostly Arabic food in Jaffa) frequented small theaters and took long hiking trips... These days, most of this original group, who’s members are still together, except for the few who divorced and those who have new partners, after the originals one passed away, the group still gets together once a month, except"Shira, who is in America!"

   No one in Israel would ever admit to dislike being in the army... Many like Henia, even stayed in the military after being discharged (this time getting payed)... For me, serving in the army was a Torment...    It felt as if I was spending time in jail! I couldn't wait for the day I'll be free and go on my planned trip to Europe before continuing to a chosen university in the US...  In the meantime, I started to study at a night school, in order to earn my Credentials as a Hebrew school teacher. I was dating, but refused to have a steady boyfriend, afraid to take any chance, of breaking someone's heart, like I did to poor Moti... Besides no one and nothing was going to complicate my life and stop me from accomplishing my dream of going to America! Tsipi became very excited, when she heard about my plan of studying in the US and decided to join me after completing her military service, which would be seven mounts longer then mine...

   In those days most of the young women got married in their early twenties, usually after completing their military service. The social pressure to have a steady boyfriend, was enormous and I was tormented by my parents to do the same... In a previous post (My Roots) I have written about my father’s sisters, the three aunts who ho never got married.  In later years I would realize, that these aunts were the main cause of the pressure my parents inflected on me, to get married... (Especially my mother!) I didn't realize then that my Fear (almost Phobia) of getting married, was connected to these three unmarried aunts and to my parents fears that I may never get married...

With Love and Light,
Shira

The Fun Years . V, O O .(change the 'bold Black Letters' below)... Change big letters..XPhoto of my yellow book

Hello everyone,

A. Puppy Love

   I have great memories from Sokolov High... Although I was still friendly with a few of my friends      from grade school, I was socializing mainly with my new high school friends. As spring arrived and      buds appeared on the trees,"Romances also starting to bloom", among the students in my high school      my friend Dina (who taught me to love Classical Music...) was crying over her boyfriend Brosh, who    fell in love with Sonia; Dina's best friend...

Dina and me	Hiking with friends	Standing behind Sonya

      Brosh was the most a popular guy in our school, was adored by girls from all grades...My poor       friend Dina, who fell in love with him, was soon Heartbroken...Dina was not the only girl in school     who cried over Brosh: I was the only one, who couldn't understand, what they found in him, since            I didn't find him"Attractive" at all; I liked him as a 'friend' only...The two of us had lot in common          We were bouth "Double Sabras"(parents also born in Israel) We shared a familiar way of life and a   similar scene of humor and became very good friends, way before Dina was rejected by him...Even though I enjoyed and liked Brosh mind and 'Fun Personality', I told Dina that if my friendship with       him bothered her, she should let me know so I will not be his friend, to which she answered:"I truly appreciate your loyalty Shira, but please don't be ridiculous!X I know the two  of you are just friends!"x

Brosh

Yoram

  I always enjoyed having 'Male Friends' as much as female friends! Brosh was one of my closest "Male friend", besides Yoram, who was classes ahead of me  and was another 'Best Friend'... The two of them were very different from one another and I enjoyed  their company, in spite of (or maybe because of) those differences. One was a 'Rule Beaker'; in charming, crazy way. The other was reliable and grounded, with a dry sense of humor. They bouth owned a 'Vespa' Motorcycle',which we used on our way to see movies: American and French ' "Film Noir, Italian 'Avant-garde', Surrealistic movies and especially American  film like Hitchcock's thrillers and were 'laughing our heads off ', as we watched the 'Heart-wrenching' Indian and Turkish' Melodramas...We also enjoyed going to the Zoo and  look at the Monkeys, In Jaffa   the 'Arabic section' of Tel Aviv, we sat in one of the Outdoors 'Cafes', slowly sipping Turkish coffee in Tiny decorated porcelain cups...  We talked about everything, including the stories we heard from our grandparents, who came as pioneers, to build our beloved country... The amazing thing was, that we were "Just Friends!: (No Romantic Relationship!) We told to each other about the 'Temporary Partners', we were 'going out' at the time and were exchanging advice about the complications of our "Romantic Life" which was changing rather frequently...

  Dena and Sonia, were not the only girls, wounded by their first 'love affair'. Another girl from Freshman class, threatened to commit suicide, when Brosh 'dropped her' after three weeks of Going  Steady'... The teachers and principal became involved, demanding that Brosh goes to the girl’s home and "Straightens Things Out!" He was mortified... "Help me Shira! I don't know what to do! What do they want from me?    I don't even Like Her!" He begged me to go see the girl, calm her down and try to talk her out of 'This Insanity".. Being his 'good friend' I agreed and would never forget this "Experience",which I believe      was the day my 'Future Therapist' was born... The instant the small apartment door opened; her 'Hysterical parents' grabbed, literally dragging me to their crying daughter’s bed... They were talking in a mixture of broken Hebrew,Yiddish, Hungarian and Pantomime, saying again and again: “Lo ledog, lo ledog!” which is Hebrew for 'Don’t Worry' and was making 'calming gestures' with my hands, gently but firmly, pushing them out of the girl’s room to the"Salon" (living room) and closed the door behind them... I then turned to the weeping girl (whose mother was wailing on the other side of the door) and gave her a' piece of my mind', for putting her parents through such an ordeal! “What’s the matter with you?!" I admonished her “Are you a 'Cry Baby' or a High School student?!" Then 'ordered' her to get out of bed, (where she spent the past five days) wash her face and took her out of the apartment, leaving her weeping parents behind... 

   We walked to"Jerusalem Boulevard", where I bought her (and me) Ice cream cones in the small 'Kiosk'  and we sat on a bench, licking our ice cream... GentlyI told her that she must grow up! “Snap out of it!  You are making yourself and your parents Miserable! Do you want the Kids in school to laugh at you?! "No man is worth dying for!" I declared and made her repeat these words several times, with conviction and loud voice! The poor girl did so and was looking at me with  great admiration; After all I was older then her in one year and seemed to be 'more experiencd'...  She calmed down and I was finally able to  take her back home... I saw her smiling for the forst time and telling her parents something in Hungarian pointing at me. The parents hugged and kissed me, and were'wetting' my face with their tears, hitting my shoulders and back until it hurt! 

   I came  back home where my parents and Brosh, who was sitting biting his nails, were waiting for     me..."You owe me a lot!" I yelled at Brosh... My parents and I were laughing Hilariously when he got      on his knees, thanking and blessing me, while keeping his hand over his heart..."Don't you dare sending me on such  missions ever again!" I yelled at him, joining my parents laughter... In later years, I would often wonder if this experience, was the reason for choosing to became a Psychologist...

  After describing my ordeal, mimicking the parents Hungarian accents and imitating the girl saying       out loud X“No man is worth dying for!!!" Brosh and my parents were wiping tears of laughter. "It      was Not Funny when it was happening!" I said..."Shira! "You are My Idle now Shira!" X Brosh said,          I will always be there for you! I promise to do Anything you want: Take you to the best restaurants            in Jaffa, drive with you on my Vespa (motorcycle) to visit your friends and do your Math homework!"  This experience with the 'suffering girl', who was so miserably in love with Brosh, in addition to Dina   and other girlfriends, who were going through similar Heartache; made me decide and declare that I      am not ready or willing, to be a part of these 'Stupid Childish Games!' Not that I didn't want to have a boyfriend! I wanted it very much; with all the Longing of a sixteen years old Teenager, but I didn't meet anyone so far, who appealed to me... After all how could I ever compere any Israely i met so far, to the good looking men I read about, in the Hebrew translations of great love stories and watching the 'Heart Braking' handsome men on the movie screen?

X   My home-room teacher Mr Seel, had his pride deeply hurt the previous year, when my mother stood by me, as he showed her my 'forged' signetuers of the school absentees... He must have known    she was covering up for me and was frustrated! In order to save his      'wounded pride' he was waiting... I could see him looking for any opportunity, to catch me breaking the rules... I on the other had was always looking for more rules to break, in order to win this "crazy game", which the two of us were playing... We were walking around the small school, like two boxers in the ring, circling and eyeing each other suspiciously... The whole school was aware of this power game and cheered with delight, when I won yet another round...

   Mr. Seel, was teaching us History and Geography, twice a week; during second and fifth periods and    those of us,who didn’t do their homework, used the first period of our absent-minded, old Chemistry Teacher, to complete or copy the answers, of our more diligent friends... Mr Seel who suspected that  'Something was going on', surprised us one day, by entering our class-room ten minutes after our chemistry lesson began and with a knowing smile (looking at my direction) asked for our History        homework... The students handed him their notebooks and so did I... However, it was my "Geography Notebook... He left the class, sending me a look of  "Let's see what you'll do Now!"I completed my History homework and when the Chemistry class was over, walked to the teacher's lounge, apologized     to Mr. Seel for 'Mistakenly' giving him the wrong notebook and handed the"right one"... My teacher stared at the notebook, nodding his head very slowly, then lifted his eyes and was looking at me with        mixed expression of Admiration and Resignation... We both knew that he had lost again! From that       day on we gave up our power games and became good friends...

    It was during my high school years, when I discovered my great desire for traveling!  However, it was impossible to travel in our small country, before coming face to face with the signs:"Danger! Border Ahead!” borders with Lebanon and Syria in the North, borders with Egypt in the South and border with Jordan in the East... The only "border" we didn’t have to worry about, was the Mediterranean Sea... As I grew up, I began to feel "Claustrophobic" as if I was 'closed up' in a small place... I wanted out! I had to take off, be free, able to walk everywhere without running into one of the familiar stop signs: "Stop! Border ahead!    

    Even though, I promised myself a "Big Trip Abroad" after my military service, I couldn’t wait much longer to fulfill my "Wander Lust”!  So I came up with an a great Idea; to get our class out of Israel on      a“Learning Trip!” In order do so, I met with my “New Friend” Mr. Seel, at the Teachers Lounge and 'presented him' with my plan ..."Since we have just learned about the Greek civilization, it would be    great if we travel to Greece and see with our own eyes, the places you have been teaching us!"Mr. Seel removed his glasses and looked at me: “And where would the students find the money such a trip?” He asked. “As you know Shira, most of the families in Jaffa are European refugees barley make a living!”       I had an an answer ready: Since it was 'customary', for some students to work during the hot summer vacation  in a Kibutz' (Agricultural Settlement) and be we'll paid, we could do so and use our earnings for the trip! When I saw the doubt in my teacher's eyes, I suggested to talk to the kids about earning extra money, by giving private lessons, baby sitting or any other possible work available after school hours... "We’ll help each other find jobs!" I declared... My teacher looked at me for a while, then banged his fist  on the table and said with excitement: “Let’s do it!”  Mr. Seel, who was also teaching in another private high school invited some of those students to join us on this venture and selected students from both schools, to form  a committee, which would plan the details of the journey!  We were all 'wired up'        and found it difficult to concentrate on our lessons...

C - At the Kibutz

On a break

Working at the kibutz

   When summer vacation finally arrived we went to work in one of the kibbutzim, in northern Israel. We picked fruits and olives from the trees, worked in the fields, gathering potatoes (a back breaking work) helped milking the cows, feed the chickens, collect egs and enjoyed taking care of the Adorable kibbutz children, who were playing out doors in the hot days of the summer...

Milking	'Water fun' for the babies	Collecting eggs

   One can only imagine how devastated we all were, after realizing that in spite of our efforts, we did    did not have the 'Sum' we needed for our trip to Greece... Mr Seel became our hero when he came up   with a solution: Instead of Greece, we could travel to Cyprus, which was a small island, much closer       to Israel and had plenty of Greek Archaeology to justify our trip! As a matter of fact, the island was     half part Greek and the other part Turkish... Our teacher believed, this trip will be very helpful when     we begin our future History Lessons about the Ottoman Empire!

D - Cyprus.   X

Sailing away	When dreams come true!	Cyprus

  Since the voyage would take only eight hours by boat, we would not need sleeping cabins and could  save money... Mr. Seel and Miss Liron (the 'Homeroom Teacher' of the other high school) found out that we will not be charged at all, since we are students and the trip is only six hour away from Tel Aviv! We were all wearing our white and blue school uniforms when we bordered the ship  and were taken on a Tour which including a visit in the Captain's Cabin... Later, we stood on deck, watching the shore of our small country getting farther and farther, until it disappeared...  For most of us, this was our first trip out  of Israel... We were surrounded by blue water and were looking at the big waves below... This was our first trip away from Israel and I couldn't help thinking it was "My Doing!" and was smiling with a great pride and satisfaction... 

Visiting the boys
in the dorm

Limassol

   Before arriving to Cyprus our two teachers were able to find 'Free of Charge' sleeping accommodations, in school dormitories, which were closed for the summer vacation... We also slept for several nights in a Prison, which was empty since it was going through renovations! A large air conditioned bus, was waiting for us! The driver Stavros became our best friend! We taught him to say in Hebrew "Good Morning" and he was teaching us the equivalent wards in Greek... The boys tried to teach Stavros 'Dirty Words' in Hebrew  pretending they were innocent names of food; but were stopped after receiving some 'Blows on the head' from the furious (but laughing) girls, who hit them with whatever was available! I will never forge the first time, my feet touched the ground of Cyprus...Years later, when I was a university student studding in the U.S, I was sitting in front of the T.V, watching the first steps Neil Armstrong was taking on the Moon...  and was experiencing a similar sensation, when our feet touched the ground of Cyprus for my first time      away from our small, beloved country Israel...

Famagusta

A toast with Coca Cola

   We spent unforgettable times in this small Island: "Getting drunk" on Coca Cola, which we tasted for the first time, since the Arab countries ordered the Coca Cola company, to stop selling it in Israel...We were having the time of our life, as we discovered new vistas, different culture, food and music; trying to pronounce the strange names of the cities, rolling them in our mouth and tasting their strange sound: "Limasol Larnaca  and Paphos"...                                                                    .

     How amazing it was to be free of the feelings of 'Constant Danger and worries, of  being attacked  by     by one of our Arab Neighboring Countries... The fear of a sudden war, which until this trip, we were not even aware we had; since it became normal and a constant part of our life and reality in Israel... It was strange to realize, that  the people in the streets, were not Jewish and were speaking in a language which was not Hebrew... What a 'small world' we lived in until now! We were always singing as the bus was taking us through and around Limasol, until we lost our voices...  The local residents, especially the Teenager, were delighted as we were , to get to know each other. We we were invited to their clubs and were laughing, as both sides, were trying to communicate in broken English...We also tried to teach each other songs in Hebrew, Greek and Turkish; laughing hilariously at our pronunciations and were invited to visit several homes of our new friends... Without realizing, our Consciousness was excpending, in-spite of the fact we were away for three weeks only. We came back to Haifa’s Harbor, much more mature than when we left...

E - First Boyfriend

Moti

   A few weeks after returning from Cyprus, my friend Gadi, who graduated from our high school a year before, began his required military service training, to become a Pilot, in the Israeli Air Force, which was a very respected position! On one of his days off, Gadi invited me to a party with a group of his friends who I had never met before... When I came home  that night, I woke my mother up and said: “ze-hoo-ze!” (Hebrew for “This is the One!") His name was Moti, his blue eyes were half closed; I asked him if he inherited a 'Chines gene'  and often teased him, by singing time and again, a children song about 'Two Chines men   with a Big Violin"... Moti was smart, sweet, gentle and older than me by three years...

   I finally had my first Boyfriend! Even though High School graduates in Israel, were drafted to the military right after High School, some of the brighter students, were allowed to go on studying at the university and after training in the army, during their summer vacation, become officers and were expected to serve additional time in the military... Moti, who was one of them, majored in Mathematics (The subject which"Ruined my life"!)  We got to know each other's families, spend time in each others home and our parents were delighted to see the budding of our First Love...“Maybe now, you will finally be able to learn the Multiplication Table!” My father teased me... I am not sure if I was in love with Moti, or just 'In love with love'... Either way, it was my real First Love. We were together for two years and when I turned seventeen, Moti told me that his sister, who was two years older then him, would be getting married the following year and suggested we have a Double Wedding...

   Poor Moti... Instead of the romantic reaction he expected, I burst into a loud laughter! "Are you nuts? Marriage? I am only sixteen! I am not ready for marriage!" I needed to see the world, the places I read about, the 'Eiffel Tower', 'La Rive Gauch' in Paris, the old Coliseum in Rome, the 'Leaning Tower' of  Pisa', the Acropolis in Athens, the Wind Mills of Holland, the Fjords of Scandinavia, the Swiss Alps      the Big Ben in London... I planed to go to N.Y after my military service, live in Greenwich Village       and write my Masterpiece! See the Empire State Building, Radio City and cross the U.S from coast to coast! I wanted to visit the Grand Canyon, travel to Texas, in order to see the the oil refineries, which I saw in  the movie Giant,visit Indian Reservations in Arizona, listen to Jazz in New Orleans, gamble in  Las Vegas and travel to California to see Hollywood, where all the movies I loved lived!

   Maybe the Lion at MGM, is still roaring in one of the studios... Perhaps I will be lucky and get to         see some of my movie idles: Robert Taylor, Clark Gable, Stuart Granger or Rock Hudson, walk in         the streets in L.A... Maybe I could see their ' Hand and' foot prints', which are embedded in cement         in the Hollywood pavements!  Getting married?!  It sounded to me like Death Sentence'! Poor dear   Moti, I am sorry I broke your heart; please forgive me sweet boy, if you are still around, if you were     not killed in one of the wars, together with so many young officers like you...You didn’t deserve the    way I treated you... Please try to understand, that I had to be disconnected and free, so I could achieve    my dreams! I told myself that your love and devotion, were suffocating me and you wanted to'Imprison me and 'clip my wings', make me give up the exciting future I planed for myself... Even now, so many years later my heart breaks, when I remember the pain in your half closed blue eyes, when I said my    final goodby... I am truly sorry for hurting you the way I did!

  The trip to Cyprus, strengthened my resolve that after my military service, I would travel throughout Europe and continue to the U.S... I had it all planned: After I graduate from the university with a B.A        I will travel each year to another English speaking country around the world, where I study at the local university for one year... This way, I'll eventually be able to get my PhD, while supporting myself as a teacher in the Hebrew schools of local Jewish communities...  How amazing is the creative power of the Subconscious mind once it is programed!  Eventually, I would accomplish almost all my dreams! I would come to the U.S, receive my B.A, live in 'The Village' in N.Y, publish a book about Manhattan, travel around the U.S and eventually fall in love and marry Al...  After our daughter Karen was born,  I went back to school, received a Master's degree in Psychology and later on a PhD... I did not accomplish my dream of "Studying each year in another English speaking country" (Canada, South Africa, England Australia, New Zealand) However, I would eventually visit these countries (except for South Africa)   with my beloved husband Al... So don't ever give up and Keep on weaving your dreams!"  

With Love and Light,
Shira