Now it can be told

I lost my passport somewhere between the airport and my daughter's house upon arrival last week. I had been traveling for 32 hours, and although that's no excuse, it's probably the reason. I called the taxi company, whose name I had the presence of mind to note as I entered the cab, and I called the airport lost and found. Nada. I was so anxious and embarrassed that I didn't tell a soul. Monday morning I braved the unfamiliar bus lines in an unfamiliar city, and thanks to an old-fashioned paper map, I found my way to the Vancouver American Consulate and reported the loss. I was dismayed to learn that not only is it forbidden to enter the Consulate with a cellphone, as it is at the Embassy in Tel Aviv, but unlike Tel Aviv, there is no checking facility. After asking around the neighborhood, I learned that a crummy-looking coffee shop across the street does a booming business checking cellphones and laptops for $5.00, no guarantees, no receipts, no nothin.' So I decided to risk it, and let them store my iPhone.

The security to enter the Consulate made airport security look puny by comparison. Luckily I had not lost my Israeli passport, which was acceptable as photo ID. The over-systematized service windows did not systematize emergencies, of which I was one, so I had to wing it. My passport was invalidated, so all you imposters out there won't be able to use it, and I was given an appointment to return for an emergency passport Wednesday (yesterday), so I did. This time I left my iPhone home and saved myself $5.00, and brought two pictures of the appropriate size and composition. Luckily I had a photocopy of the lost passport (highly recommended for all travelers!), so I was able to complete the application form thoroughly and as a result, a mere two hours later I left with a replacement passport, good for one year!

When I told my daughter, she thanked me for keeping it a secret; the trials of home ownership are stressing her out sufficiently these days.

My granddaughter, the realtor

Source: Via YouTube viaarwen (screenplay) via elswhere (editor) and colleagues at greenspanbuxprod.

Deserves an Oscar for editing, costumes, production design, sound track, sound editing, and acting. I think I'm biased, but is that any reason for me to recuse myself in this day and age?

A fast post-fast post

Couldn't resist the catchy title, even though my own fast was lame!

I'm having lots of fun squiring my cousin and his friend around "my" Tel Aviv, introducing them to my favorite places and people. They've each been to Israel many years ago, so I could watch them enjoying how much things have changed. I realized again how amazing Yom Kippur in Tel Aviv is: the quietness makes the place impressive, dignified, and yes, even Holy. For 25 hours.