Sunday, June 2: The family went off to work and school this morning, and I did a few things around the house until my cousin Noa Lev arrived for a visit. We caught up on family stuff since I last saw her in February. It is always good to be with her. Her youngest daughter and family are going to Montreal in August for three years of Shlichut; so our next visit will be in October in the USA. Often, in the midst of talking or writing about my travels and those of my family and friends, I am amazed at our lives. We are doing things we never even dreamed of as children. In the afternoon, I substituted for the Nanny when the girls got home from school.

Monday 3 June: The heat wave continues...93F today. I slept late and then took the train into the city center for a browse along Ben Yehudah Street. The new light rail stop is about a five minute walk from Kate and Ofer's apartment. I bought a sunhat, had salad and gelato for lunch and watched the world go by...literally. As I sat on the patio of the cafe, I heard many languages as people passed by, and the variety of clothing options almost defies description, but I'll try. There are young girls in short shorts, tank tops and flip flops walking alongside Arab women covered from head to toe who pass Orthodox women almost as covered who pass soldiers in their khaki uniforms followed by women wearing too much makeup and too high heeled shoes teetering on the cobblestones street. All of this in every skin color and clothing in every color of the rainbow from black to tie dye kept me entertained as I ate my lunch. And that is just the women! A train ride home, some ice water, and the fan...life is good!

In the late afternoon I went with Ofer, Savyon and Sapir to Sapir's Judo class final meeting of the season. The kids...and the parents showed their moves, and Sapir got a trophy for the student showing the greatest effort for the year. I got to be the one to give her the trophy.

Kate had a long work day as today was the last day of the current year program. She got home about 9PM and the students are on their way to the airport. Ofer had an even meeting in Tel Aviv for a bank client. They have a hectic life. Wish I lived closer to help more often.

Tomorrow night we go to the theatre to see Sapir play Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden. That will probably warrant an entry of its own!!