Thanks for reading - its been a great holiday.
See you soon and love you all.
Lshana haba bYerushalayim
Paul Rochelle Talia Gaby Elisa & Hannah
Monday, December 28, 2009
Steinbergs in Melbourne
Just landed...
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Steinbergs in Paris - Disneyland ups&downs and Grand Palais
Disneyland Paris was a great day with both ups and downs (especially the Thunder Mountain roller coaster which was great!). Travel tips....
3 bad points to consider before going to Disneyland Paris:
a. expect to wait 60min's in a queue for every ride.
b. check with the public transport information if there is going to be a strike (at the end of the day).
c. try not to carry a handbag (at all) - which is prone to pickpocketing.
1 good point to consider before going to Disneyland Paris:
a. The best time to go on rides is between 9-11am and 7-10pm when the crowds are sparse. At those times it only takes 5-15 min's to get on a ride. The rest of the day should be full of watching parades and shows and trying to find the Disney characters and enjoying. We learnt this lesson kind of the hard way, but it still turned out alright. Between 10-12 we went on 4 rides, 12-7 - 2 rides, and 7-10 about 8 rides. The rides were very very good and although we spent too much time in a couple of queues (especially Thunder mountain) the excitement made up for it. Now that i think about it i just realised that many of the made-up cute houses/cottages next to the rides are actually built to contain the long long long queues for the waiting public - strange.
So anyway, Disneyland Paris was great but with a few unexpected and unfortunate events which did spoil the day a bit. We can't figure out whether Rochelle was pick-pocketed or she may have dropped it accidentally, but she is minus her purse... Because we're close to the end of our holiday i don't have time to get new c/cards (especially now over xmas time) so i've basically got a chunk of money to tide us over for the rest of the trip (now 2 days) and left almost zero credit in my c/card balances (i can top them up if i need to make any major purchases). Then when i get home i'll get new cards.
The other unfortunate event was when we got to the RER train station (just outside the front entrance) we found out that the drivers had gone on strike that evening.
So.......
What do you do?
What do you do with 4 sleepy kids in the middle of virtually nowhere at 10pm when the train system has gone on strike - and there's NO notices (french or english) as to what you should do... And then you go up to 2 girls also standing around to ask them what to do and they're visiting tourists from Israel (whose French is poorer than their English) and they also don't know what to do... To cut a long story short, about 100 people packed into a bus to another train station about 40mins away, which took us to Gare D'Est (50mins). From there 2 metro trains took us home (another 20mins). So we got home around 1.30am - and believe it or not we were all ok. We had a warm cuppa with a bit of Talia's bday cake and then flaked out till almost 10am this morning.
...OyVey.
This is another perfect opportunity to make the point that all the girls are real troopers and do soldier on when they need to, without much fuss or causing commotion - kol hakavod to them. Even on these last few days the girls are still having new and interesting and exciting (and unexpected) experiences. What doesn't ---- us, makes us stronger (and wiser). Absolutely.
Today in Paris it was around 5 degrees and a bit wet. Thankfully no wind but unfortunately no snow which we were kind of getting used to and enjoying (not a white xmas after all). We got out at 12pm and ventured to the Grand Palais. Here's another traveller tip - if you come to Paris, SEE the Grand Palais. It was built for the same Exposition that the Eiffel Tower was built for in 1900, but for many years it lay dormant, closed and run-down. I remember seeing this amazing building with a massive glass and steel framework roof on my 3 previous visits to Paris (over 20years) and wanting to see it from the inside. Well, about 3 years ago they re-opened it and today we went inside...
It
is
awesome.
Currently they have a fete running on the inside and it couldn't have filled out this massive hall any better. There was a huge ferris wheel (about the only ride we didn't go on because it would have cost us over 50bucks) and lots of big spinning and upside down rides - and lots and lots and lots of fun. We all had a ball.
Afterwards we walked up the Champs Elysees (past yet another Village Noel) to Sephora again and the girls bought some small perfumes. Then we came home and are now going to bed, so we can get up early to open our presents - ha ha.
We'll go do Shabbos shopping in Rue du Rosiers, Marais, again tomorrow and possibly try to see Montmartre. On Shabbos we're thinking about walking to the Luxembourg Gardens and perhaps the Rodin Garden to see The Thinker (the original). If we have time Talia wants to go ice skating again at the Trocadero, so we might try to fit that in Motze Shabbos.
Sunday morning, 10am, the shuttle comes to pick us up for the airport, then...... home.
This is a great holiday...
P
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Paris...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Steinbergs in Paris - Versailles take 2
It always pays to read the tourist guides. For future reference, Versailles is closed on a Monday. Don't become aware of that 3 stops before you have to get off there - like we did. :-(
Although, we thought there is a silver lining. The book said that the jardins (gardens) are open every day - hooray!
No. They were closed because of the snow. Ov Vey.
So.......
We got to Versailles just before lunch and we decided to wander the old main street (Rue Royal). It is very pretty, and well worth a stroll for an hour. Then Gaby saw a hairdresser, and asked the obvious question. So for the next hour ALL the girls had their hair shampooed&cut. They deserved it after 3months away (they did have their fringes cut regularly in Israel) and thankfully the Versailles hairdressing prices are not like Paris(!). After that we jumped back on the RER train, had our lunch that we brought with and took the train all the way back to Opera station.
We walked out of the metro and turned around and there was the Opera building. It is a real knockout. We decided to take the self-guided tour inside and it was terrific. This is the first time i've seen the inside. It is a truly amazing building. The staircase, the main hall, the auditorium, the library and the exhibitions. We even tried to catch a glimpse of the phantom. Very impressive.
Afterwards, we braved the pre-xmas crowds at Galeries LaFayette (behind the Opera), and believe me - there were crowds! I reckon there were 50 gendarmes in the intersection out the front trying to direct and synchronise people and traffic - not much success. The main dome area is beautiful at the moment with a gigantic xmas tree and massive presents hanging (falling) from the ceiling. Check the pics. We wandered up to the 5th floor to look for boots for Talia's bday (tomorrow) but they'd run out of stock. Rochelle surreptitiously bought Talia some little Hello Kitty gifts up there, and after a bite to eat (we had a great table - facing the street corner with all the crowd frenzy & the eiffel tower was on the horizon), Rochelle wanted to go back for more 'window' shopping. I tried to put my foot down to go home, but to no avail - we were in the girls clothing section of Galeries LaFayette... Girl heaven. Rochelle and the girls sifted through some magnificent dresses and shoes by 'Monsoon' in a section called 'Accessorize' - very glitzy.
After a couple of hours, the staff told us that in 10mins they were closing off the cash registers, so the girls rushed to buy buy buy. And for that experience, lets just say that when i got back to our apartment i had to top up my credit card. Perhaps i'll try to put my foot down harder next time - yeh right. We took a taxi home.
Although, we thought there is a silver lining. The book said that the jardins (gardens) are open every day - hooray!
No. They were closed because of the snow. Ov Vey.
So.......
We got to Versailles just before lunch and we decided to wander the old main street (Rue Royal). It is very pretty, and well worth a stroll for an hour. Then Gaby saw a hairdresser, and asked the obvious question. So for the next hour ALL the girls had their hair shampooed&cut. They deserved it after 3months away (they did have their fringes cut regularly in Israel) and thankfully the Versailles hairdressing prices are not like Paris(!). After that we jumped back on the RER train, had our lunch that we brought with and took the train all the way back to Opera station.
We walked out of the metro and turned around and there was the Opera building. It is a real knockout. We decided to take the self-guided tour inside and it was terrific. This is the first time i've seen the inside. It is a truly amazing building. The staircase, the main hall, the auditorium, the library and the exhibitions. We even tried to catch a glimpse of the phantom. Very impressive.
Afterwards, we braved the pre-xmas crowds at Galeries LaFayette (behind the Opera), and believe me - there were crowds! I reckon there were 50 gendarmes in the intersection out the front trying to direct and synchronise people and traffic - not much success. The main dome area is beautiful at the moment with a gigantic xmas tree and massive presents hanging (falling) from the ceiling. Check the pics. We wandered up to the 5th floor to look for boots for Talia's bday (tomorrow) but they'd run out of stock. Rochelle surreptitiously bought Talia some little Hello Kitty gifts up there, and after a bite to eat (we had a great table - facing the street corner with all the crowd frenzy & the eiffel tower was on the horizon), Rochelle wanted to go back for more 'window' shopping. I tried to put my foot down to go home, but to no avail - we were in the girls clothing section of Galeries LaFayette... Girl heaven. Rochelle and the girls sifted through some magnificent dresses and shoes by 'Monsoon' in a section called 'Accessorize' - very glitzy.
After a couple of hours, the staff told us that in 10mins they were closing off the cash registers, so the girls rushed to buy buy buy. And for that experience, lets just say that when i got back to our apartment i had to top up my credit card. Perhaps i'll try to put my foot down harder next time - yeh right. We took a taxi home.
This morning we really did go to Versailles. It's only a 30min RER train ride (very smooth) so its no big deal. When we got there it was cold and there was snow everywhere. But of course the crowds are still there, so we avoided them by going straight to the jardins first and had an early lunch (12pm). It turned out to be a good idea. You MUST see our pics of the gardens in the snow (link below). It was really very very pretty. It was cold but thankfully no wind, so it was fairly tolerable (even for Hannah). The girls sat on my raincoat as a picnic blanket and we had our lunch. This is the second time Rochelle and I have had cheese&tomato baguettes on the garden steps of Versailles (that's a travel tip for you).
After lunch Talia, Gaby & I went for a quick walk all the way down to the last lake, making a detour through some of the woods on the side. This is my 3rd time at Versailles and i've never gone further than the first set of steps in the garden. It was well worth it. The fact that it was all covered in a blanket of snow made it a real novelty too and perhaps more sensational as you brave the elements. Again, check our pics of the walk to the last main lake - such good pics - almost all of them like a postcard.
We had to rush back because the cold was starting to take its toll on Hannah, and we moved inside.
By this stage, around 2, the crowds weren't as bad anymore so it was easier to walk around the palace. We actually went straight for the main state rooms and didn't worry about too much else because now the girls were getting a little antsy and were getting anxious to finally seeing the hall of mirrors (which we've been talking about for several months). They were very impressed with the hall of mirrors, although they really were expecting to see a hall completely and utterly be-decked in mirrors. I can't say i blame them too much - i remember going there at the age of 15 and thinking the same thing. Anyway, it only took them a minute to adjust and fully appreciate the hall and all its magnificence and significance (they learnt how it was used by Louis XIV as well as how the Treaty of Versailles was signed there). We were all impressed with the Kings & Queens bedrooms and then we finally made our way out and back home. Versailles was a great day - 2nd time around as well. ;-)
I must go now. We have to get ready for Talia's bday tomorrow and... DISNEYLAND PARIS! (i haven't once seen the word 'EuroDisney' here - i don't think it caught on...)
Melbourne in 7 days! Woohoo!
P
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Paris...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -10 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Sunday, December 20, 2009
Steinbergs in Paris - first few days roundup
You've already received today's details of our running around - Grande Arche, Notre Dame, Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysees - on 8 different trains. Tonight we've kind of had it...
However i want to write down about our last few days too. We arrived Tuesday afternoon last week, and after dumping our bags at 24 Rue Champ De Mars (7th) we quickly went for a look-see to the Eiffel Tower around the corner. It had a massive impact as expected. Talia went bananas and was giggling a little uncontrollably. Gaby & Hannah were a bit dumbstruck and were saying 'i can't believe we're seeing the EIFFEL TOWER!'. Hannah now, whenever she gets bored, asks "Can we go to the Eiffel Tower?". It was getting late and we'd been flying that day so all we could muster was a walk under the tower, saying 'no,no' to the spruikers trying to push mini eiffel towers on us, and a spin on the carousel beside the tower. By the way, at the moment the Tower is lit up every hour for a few minutes with sparkling flashing lights. It is really spectacular - see the video upload on picasa below.
The next day (Wed'y 16th), and thankfully a clear day, we actually went up the Tower. We began by all of us standing in the long line for the lifts, and then Talia asked 'i thought we were going to walk up?' - she'd remembered i'd talked about it earlier... So up Talia, Gaby & I walked to the 2nd floor (about 35min's) and Rochelle, Elisa & Hannah got there about 15min's before us. It was actually a lot of fun walking up and is quite intriguing walking up thru the steel work. Every flight of steps there are information boards about the tower and its history which thankfully also gives you a moment to catch your breath.
We had lunch on the 2nd storey and then went all the way to the top. Strangely despite going up from approx 200m to 300m the view doesn't change all that much. From both vantage points: a. it's still a long way down, b. you can see every part of Paris, & c. it's still a long way down...
After coming back down we walked across the road to the Trocadero, where pre-xmas they have setup a 'Village Noel' of mini cottage-shops to tempt you with cute gifts and places to eat. (Today we found an even larger Village Noel setup at the Grande Arche in La Defense.) Night was beginning to approach (4.30pm), but just below the main steps of the Trocadero, there is an ice skating rink setup so T,G,E&I all went for a skate - the girls went really well, and i'm a natural of course. When Hannah started to 'lose it' (cold &/or tired) around 5.30, we marched back home stopping briefly at a Village Noel cottage for some yummy vegetable soup. By that stage we'd spent the entire day in and around the Eiffel Tower. It was terrific.
On Thursday we woke to snowflakes falling, and in no time there was a few inches deep of snow outside our door. It was beautiful and the girls were so excited by it. The girls couldn't wait to get out into the snow as we went to the Louvre. I must say, the Louvre was a bit arduous - for all of us - but certainly there were great moments. We went straight to the Mona Lisa, which we all found impressive - especially with the throngs of people milling about. Then we went for lunch... Amazing how food is a necessary part of a days travelling. After lunch we walked thru the Egyptian rooms and the girls were really interested to see the mummy that i'd been telling them about. They knew it would be intriguing and a little scary, which was exciting, but when it was finally a few inches in front of their faces i think they were a little 'taken aback'. It is awesome and sensational. We finished off the Louvre with the Venus de Milo, a beautiful work of art and i think a nice way to finish off. Although when i asked the girls if they thought she was pretty, their considered opinion was that they didn't necessarily think she was particularly good looking (after having another careful & considered look at her face, she does look a little blokey - plus she's a sz.14 - sorry V.)
Friday was a rather quick day, but a BIG day - Hannah turned 3! After taking it slow in the morning and opening some little presents we had bought her from a children's bookshop at the Louvre, we went to the Jewish district for our pre-shabbos shopping. We took the Metro to Rue de Rosiers in Marais and had a kosher lunch, then quickly picked up our Shabbos groceries and came back home. It's the first time i've been to this area of Paris and it is gorgeous. Walking these streets it is easy to imagine how bustling it would have been in the 1930's prior to 75,000 Parisian Jews being shipped off during the Holocaust.
Friday night was the last day of Hannukah, so we had 16 candles lit: 3 candles for Hannah, 9 chanukiah lights(8+shamash), and 4 shabbos lights. They were all illuminating our rear window courtyard area and it was beautiful.
Shabbat (yesterday), we spent the day mostly at home -yay!- although we did get out for a walk in the snow. We walked the long block around Ecole Militaire, which starts at the very beginning of the long Champ de Mars (the park at the base of the Eiffel Tower) - a thrill to see the Eiffel Tower from that perspective. Anyway, we couldn't wait to get home because Hannah isn't bearing up the best in the freezing cold. But our 3y.o. is still a terrific trooper and she has a very understanding soul.
Shabbos was nice and today was a long but rewarding day. If we can get up early enough tomorrow we'll go see the Palace of Versailles. The girls want to see the Hall of Mirrors.
We'll take it easy though...
BonNuit
P
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Paris...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -10 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Steinbergs in Paris - 4 in 1
Today our 4 little troopers have again done us proud. We did 4 major sites and have been on 8 different trains on the metro today. As i write the girls are finishing off their ice cream at Vesuvio [italian] restaurant on the Champs-Elysees.
We started at 10.30 (very respectable) and went to the Grande Arche - La Defense. This building is spectacular and it has a square archway so large you could fit the Arc De Triomphe inside. Out the front there was [another] Village Noel. We had a photo with 'Sinterklaus'(he looked lonely) and a big snowman, and then had a lovely pumpkin soup lunch.
After we caught the 2 trains all the way back to Notre-Dame and the girls were fascinated by the Gothic appearance inside the cathedral and all the beautiful stained glass windows, although we made a quick exit when they started their Sunday arvo Mass. Outside we admired the cute gargoyles and the flying buttresses, and we stood on Paris 'point zero'.
In the last couple of hours we went to the Arc De Triomphe and have walked part of the way down the Champs Elysees - until our hunger pangs kicked in and had to have dinner. The girls were once again knocked out of their sox at the A.D.T. We did a puzzle of it last year and have been waiting to see it up close ever since. It didn't disappoint, and the Champs Elysees is all lit up with white trees for Crutzmach.
Check out our pics from today. We're leaving the restaurant now (not that ex'y), and we're going to window shop for a few minutes in the zero weather until we can no longer bear it (i.e. Hannah) and we'll get back on the metro to go back to our ap't on the Rue Champ de Mars.
Have to write more later about the last few days too... (and Hannah's bday yesterday)
Love PRTGEH
We started at 10.30 (very respectable) and went to the Grande Arche - La Defense. This building is spectacular and it has a square archway so large you could fit the Arc De Triomphe inside. Out the front there was [another] Village Noel. We had a photo with 'Sinterklaus'(he looked lonely) and a big snowman, and then had a lovely pumpkin soup lunch.
After we caught the 2 trains all the way back to Notre-Dame and the girls were fascinated by the Gothic appearance inside the cathedral and all the beautiful stained glass windows, although we made a quick exit when they started their Sunday arvo Mass. Outside we admired the cute gargoyles and the flying buttresses, and we stood on Paris 'point zero'.
In the last couple of hours we went to the Arc De Triomphe and have walked part of the way down the Champs Elysees - until our hunger pangs kicked in and had to have dinner. The girls were once again knocked out of their sox at the A.D.T. We did a puzzle of it last year and have been waiting to see it up close ever since. It didn't disappoint, and the Champs Elysees is all lit up with white trees for Crutzmach.
Check out our pics from today. We're leaving the restaurant now (not that ex'y), and we're going to window shop for a few minutes in the zero weather until we can no longer bear it (i.e. Hannah) and we'll get back on the metro to go back to our ap't on the Rue Champ de Mars.
Have to write more later about the last few days too... (and Hannah's bday yesterday)
Love PRTGEH
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Paris...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Steinbergs in Paris - Eiffel & snow!
Very excited.... It's 8.30am Thurs morning (17th) and its just started snowing in Paris! The girls are going crazy collecting snow which is starting to build up already.
Very happy that we went to the Eiffel Tower yesterday when it was a clear day. The girls were 'freaking out' (in a good way) about being there.
Talk more soon... Gotta get up to go to the Louvre.
Love,
Us!
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Paris...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -10 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Steinbergs - Israel to Paris
Hi All!
We're currently 2hrs into our flight (at time of writing) between Israel and Paris. It's mostly a fairly smooth flight with the occassional rough patch - every now and again you can hear the engines rev up a little and the airplane banking left&right, i think in order to avoid some turbulence around us.
We're all very excited to be arriving in Paris soon. We'll be staying close by the Eiffel Tower in the 7th Arr. I reckon as soon as we settle into the apartment we'll go for a quick look-see - its mostly all the girls have been talking about now. The only un-envious part of going to Paris you might find is that the current temp is '0'degrees (yes, zero) and snow is forecast... although the girls are excited about that too.
The last week in Israel has pretty much felt like coming down off the 'high' of the last 3 months. After 7 nights at the Dizengoff Suites in Tel Aviv, we've spent the last 2 nights at the Kasman house (Ruty&Zvika, daughter of Eli&Elisheva Galili - my Dad's cousin) in Shoham, which is only a few minutes drive to the airport. Ruty&Zvika and their family (especially Gil - their recently bat-mitvah'd daughter - mazaltov!) have looked after us and have rounded off our Israel experience in the best way - with a true Israeli loving and caring family. Our deep gratitude to them.
3 nights ago on motzei shabbat we spent 2nd night Hannukah with the Frumkes family at Shlomo and Ofra's daughter's house in Ness Tziona, just nearby Rishon LeTzion. Shlomo Frumkes is the 2nd cousin of Rochelle's Zaida Dave Neistat OBM (if i'm wrong about that Shlomo will definitely correct me). It is the 2nd time we have been with the Frumkes family and we all got along really well, including all the kids. Their daughter Michal has a beautiful house and Ofra's buffet was first class. It will always be a pleasure to return to Israel and spend time with all of them.
It is really fantastic ending our time here with family. Sunday night we had another big family bbq at the Kasmans. We got to see Eli&Elisheva again, as well as Ruty's brother Shlomi&Ronit with their boys and Zvika's brother's family too. All the chefs did a superb job.
Just to go back a step, I don't remember if i've mentioned Nana Esther's cousin Gitle in Tel Aviv yet... Because she lived around the corner from our dira, Gitle had coffee every morning with us at breakfast (at Ducks on the corner of Dizengoff&Gordon), and she was so good to us. Gitle organised for Rochelle&I to go out to see a show in Yafo(Mayumana) and she also babysat that evening - a welcome respite. We had Shabbes dinner at her apt with her son Udi & g'children. Gitle was terrific.
Yesterday [Monday] morning i drove with Eli at 6.30am all the way from Shoham to Amirim in the north (2hrs). It fulfilled a dual purpose of a. attending Uncle Bert's 1 year memorial service, & b. to say goodbye to all of Joy's family (Bert's daughter). They are like my brothers & sisters in Israel and i will miss them. Unexpectedly i was asked to say something at the memorial service. I hadn't prepared but it was a great honour to have spoken.Of course this trip may not have occurred without the original impetus of wanting to come for Uncle Bert's 100th birthday - which also was yesterday.
It's now 3hrs into our flight, and Rochelle is sitting behind me with Hannah who has just fallen asleep(yay). She just asked me what i was doing - i showed her my mobile, and she asked ''Are you writing the final Israel blog?''. I could not answer, as my throat choked up and even as i write now the thought of answering 'yes' makes my eyes well up with tears. Steinbergs are pretty tough but we can't help being sentimental.
It has been a wonderful 3 months. Elisa is sitting next to me and she has grown up so much - all the girls have. Hannah is talking beautifully and saying some words in hebrew. (Gaby just pointed out that we're now flying over the Swiss Alps - the view out the window is awesome and has made me perk up - check the pics soon!) We have experienced the best of Israel: spirituality, religion, history, sightseeing, family, friendship. Most of all, the 6 of us spending the entire time together, and experiencing Israel as a family unit has been... what can i say except very very special. It has been a joy.
Thank you to all our family and friends in Israel who have helped to look after us. Every moment we shared with you is cherished and unforgettable - you all have our deepest gratitude.
We're currently 2hrs into our flight (at time of writing) between Israel and Paris. It's mostly a fairly smooth flight with the occassional rough patch - every now and again you can hear the engines rev up a little and the airplane banking left&right, i think in order to avoid some turbulence around us.
We're all very excited to be arriving in Paris soon. We'll be staying close by the Eiffel Tower in the 7th Arr. I reckon as soon as we settle into the apartment we'll go for a quick look-see - its mostly all the girls have been talking about now. The only un-envious part of going to Paris you might find is that the current temp is '0'degrees (yes, zero) and snow is forecast... although the girls are excited about that too.
The last week in Israel has pretty much felt like coming down off the 'high' of the last 3 months. After 7 nights at the Dizengoff Suites in Tel Aviv, we've spent the last 2 nights at the Kasman house (Ruty&Zvika, daughter of Eli&Elisheva Galili - my Dad's cousin) in Shoham, which is only a few minutes drive to the airport. Ruty&Zvika and their family (especially Gil - their recently bat-mitvah'd daughter - mazaltov!) have looked after us and have rounded off our Israel experience in the best way - with a true Israeli loving and caring family. Our deep gratitude to them.
3 nights ago on motzei shabbat we spent 2nd night Hannukah with the Frumkes family at Shlomo and Ofra's daughter's house in Ness Tziona, just nearby Rishon LeTzion. Shlomo Frumkes is the 2nd cousin of Rochelle's Zaida Dave Neistat OBM (if i'm wrong about that Shlomo will definitely correct me). It is the 2nd time we have been with the Frumkes family and we all got along really well, including all the kids. Their daughter Michal has a beautiful house and Ofra's buffet was first class. It will always be a pleasure to return to Israel and spend time with all of them.
It is really fantastic ending our time here with family. Sunday night we had another big family bbq at the Kasmans. We got to see Eli&Elisheva again, as well as Ruty's brother Shlomi&Ronit with their boys and Zvika's brother's family too. All the chefs did a superb job.
Just to go back a step, I don't remember if i've mentioned Nana Esther's cousin Gitle in Tel Aviv yet... Because she lived around the corner from our dira, Gitle had coffee every morning with us at breakfast (at Ducks on the corner of Dizengoff&Gordon), and she was so good to us. Gitle organised for Rochelle&I to go out to see a show in Yafo(Mayumana) and she also babysat that evening - a welcome respite. We had Shabbes dinner at her apt with her son Udi & g'children. Gitle was terrific.
Yesterday [Monday] morning i drove with Eli at 6.30am all the way from Shoham to Amirim in the north (2hrs). It fulfilled a dual purpose of a. attending Uncle Bert's 1 year memorial service, & b. to say goodbye to all of Joy's family (Bert's daughter). They are like my brothers & sisters in Israel and i will miss them. Unexpectedly i was asked to say something at the memorial service. I hadn't prepared but it was a great honour to have spoken.Of course this trip may not have occurred without the original impetus of wanting to come for Uncle Bert's 100th birthday - which also was yesterday.
It's now 3hrs into our flight, and Rochelle is sitting behind me with Hannah who has just fallen asleep(yay). She just asked me what i was doing - i showed her my mobile, and she asked ''Are you writing the final Israel blog?''. I could not answer, as my throat choked up and even as i write now the thought of answering 'yes' makes my eyes well up with tears. Steinbergs are pretty tough but we can't help being sentimental.
It has been a wonderful 3 months. Elisa is sitting next to me and she has grown up so much - all the girls have. Hannah is talking beautifully and saying some words in hebrew. (Gaby just pointed out that we're now flying over the Swiss Alps - the view out the window is awesome and has made me perk up - check the pics soon!) We have experienced the best of Israel: spirituality, religion, history, sightseeing, family, friendship. Most of all, the 6 of us spending the entire time together, and experiencing Israel as a family unit has been... what can i say except very very special. It has been a joy.
Thank you to all our family and friends in Israel who have helped to look after us. Every moment we shared with you is cherished and unforgettable - you all have our deepest gratitude.
Hey, we've just started descending!
Now for Paris... Woo hoo! Here we come!
Love
Paul
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Paris...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Steinbergs in Israel - quick Eilat roundup
Y'know there isn't that much to write about Eilat. It was more of a personal break for us all because we've been running around like headless chooks a little. We spent a really lovely 4 nights at the Hilton Queen of Sheba hotel. It is magnificent, with every amenity we needed - i.e. bed, food, pool, kids club, sun.
The only tiyul we did was to the underwater observatory. i think the biggest thrill there was seeing the massive sea turtles - extraodinary. Otherwise, we walked the promenade and outdoor markets, sat & swam by the pool, and.... Nuthin.
Shabbat dinner was a real treat and an interesting experience at the hotel. Everyone got wine and chalot, and as the people filtered into the large dining room you could see everybody doing their own kiddush. If you ever get the opportunity, i recommend partaking in a 'communal' shabbat dinner in one of these big fancy hotels - it's not your average dinner. Everyone says 'shabbat shalom' as you walk past each other at the various shabbas-dic buffets. Very nice, special and heimisha.
The only tiyul we did was to the underwater observatory. i think the biggest thrill there was seeing the massive sea turtles - extraodinary. Otherwise, we walked the promenade and outdoor markets, sat & swam by the pool, and.... Nuthin.
Shabbat dinner was a real treat and an interesting experience at the hotel. Everyone got wine and chalot, and as the people filtered into the large dining room you could see everybody doing their own kiddush. If you ever get the opportunity, i recommend partaking in a 'communal' shabbat dinner in one of these big fancy hotels - it's not your average dinner. Everyone says 'shabbat shalom' as you walk past each other at the various shabbas-dic buffets. Very nice, special and heimisha.
On Sunday we left Eilat and drove to Tel Aviv - the 'big smoke'. En route we drove through Timna Valley which was quite fascinating and probably would've been better if we'd had a whole day to explore. Also, the Ramon Crater was suitably impressive, especially when you walk out onto the deck that hangs over the edge of the cliff face - oy vey.
Today, Tues 8th, we had a good time walking through the Carmel and Nahalat Binyamin Markets. Bought the girls some 'Israeli t-shirts' we'd been promising them and also bought a couple of magnificent stained glass mezuzas. We also drove through Yafo and the Yafo Shuq, but didn't stop to explore. The Yafo shuq looks hilarious - a real flea market of antiques and bric-a-brac and crap. In fact they have everything including the kitchen sink (and lots of them too).
We're just taking it easy now in our last few days in Israel. We're pretty much over shopping and shuq's and ruins, and museum's and nature reserve's, etc etc. I think we're really starting to gear up for our 12 nights in Paris (next Tues) and then, dare i say, home.
Love us
ps. the temporary Aussie number 9015-9718 is now disconnected.
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Tel Aviv address: Dizengoff Suites, cnr Gordon&Dizengoff.
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Monday, December 7, 2009
Steinbergs in Israel - Eilat roundup & Tel Aviv arrival
Our apartment is very nice. We have 2 bedrooms plus a living room/kitchen. The main b'room is up a flight of stairs and connected to a large rooftop balcony which looks out over the city (nice if you like bauhaus - lots of bauhaus). We're staying in the Dizengoff Suites which is very central, on the corner of D'off&Gordon Sts.
We're going to take it easy in TA. Over the next 7 days we'll see the Palmach museum, Holon Institute, Jaffa, if possible Haifa, and visit some family/friends. Parking is atrocious, so if someone has any ideas...
Just having b'fast downstairs now with Gittel. I'll write later with the Eilat roundup...
Love us.
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Steinbergs in Israel - Eilat
Anyway, just at this second it's 8pm and we're sitting on the Eilat beach under a blue lit umbrella sipping a beer and gin&tonic while the girls play by the lapping waters of the gulf of aqaba. Hotel California is playing in the background. This is awesome.
We arrived today at the Hilton Queen of Sheba hotel, situated on the foreshore of Eilat beach. We've had a swim in the pool already - it is a fabulous place. I think this place is probably a much better experience now as opposed to during peak season with throngs of people and awful heat. It is warm and pleasant and we feel like we have the whole place to ourselves.
Going back to our room now. Very content.
See ya. Luv ya.
P&R
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Steinbergs in Israel - Ein Gedi
Tues 1st Dec - Ein Gedi
Today was really terrific at Ein Gedi, except for the Dead Sea bit at the end. Started with Talia and i watching the sunrise over the Moab mountains from outside our room at 6.15am, and we were soon joined by the whole gang. The weather is superb (me'ule) at the moment. I'm sure everyone would love buckets and buckets of non-stop rain, but for sightseeing it doesn't get better - 22-24c with a slight breeze. After an early 7.30am b'fast in the dining hall, we jumped in the car around 9.30 and began our daily trekking with a visit to the Bet Kneset Atica, or old Ein Gedi Shul and village - from around 2000yo. When we came to Israel one of the things that i had in mind to show the girls were the preserved mosaic floors. Unfortunately we haven't seen that many, however today made up for it. This mosaic floor was a truly fabulous example of ancient craftwork. Absolutely stunning, a real humdinger. We were all so impressed with the details and colours and we spent a good half hour examining it. There were inscriptions and signs of the zodiac, and menoras, and peacocks, etc etc.
Everything in Ein Gedi is very close. Even Massada is only 17km away. The mosaic shul is only 1min from our guest house, and the nature reserve is 30secs away (drive out one driveway and in the next), and the kibbutz is 2mins away.
So then we went to the Ein Gedi National Park, where you take the waterfall trail along the floor of the gorge where numerous spring are flowing out of the mountain (some flow from as far away as 200km, from the direction of J'lem). This walk/hike took us about 3-4hrs and i tell you these girls are all troopers! Especially Hannah who walked almost the whole way - extraordinary! She was very excited to walk up and down steps and over the rocks (mostly holding hands) and through puddles and ponds and flowing creek beds. There are about 4 major waterfalls every few hundred metres and we stopped at each one, including for lunch that we'd brought with. It was quite exciting reaching the end where there was a quite high double waterfall flowing down from seemingly dry rockface. The wildlife of ibex, hyrax, crab, snails, birds, et al, kept us all entertained as we walked and were kept in wonder by our surroundings.
This was our last opportunity to go into the Dead Sea, so at around 3pm we went for a swim - or tried to. The light wind was stirring up the water to small crashing waves, the rocky and salt crystal floor hurt our feet and made walking difficult and the leering 'cousins' made for some easy decisions: A. Leave, B. never swim in the Dead Sea at a public beach, & C. in the future always go to Kalia Beach in the far north of the sea (mud there too!) - its the best.
Drove 1min up the road to Ein Gedi Kibbutz around 4pm. Decided to have dinner there when the restaurant opened at 6, and we walked the well maintained gardens beforehand. It is quite beautiful. Had a very lavish dinner (buffet), and invited Marilee from Colorado Springs to dine at our table with us which made for some unusual but interesting conversation, specifically about her views on Israel. It was quite enjoyable.
So we've come back to our room and our now getting ready to venture down south tomorrow to Eilat - should be a blast - staying at the Hilton Queen of Sheba for 4 nights.
Today was really terrific at Ein Gedi, except for the Dead Sea bit at the end. Started with Talia and i watching the sunrise over the Moab mountains from outside our room at 6.15am, and we were soon joined by the whole gang. The weather is superb (me'ule) at the moment. I'm sure everyone would love buckets and buckets of non-stop rain, but for sightseeing it doesn't get better - 22-24c with a slight breeze. After an early 7.30am b'fast in the dining hall, we jumped in the car around 9.30 and began our daily trekking with a visit to the Bet Kneset Atica, or old Ein Gedi Shul and village - from around 2000yo. When we came to Israel one of the things that i had in mind to show the girls were the preserved mosaic floors. Unfortunately we haven't seen that many, however today made up for it. This mosaic floor was a truly fabulous example of ancient craftwork. Absolutely stunning, a real humdinger. We were all so impressed with the details and colours and we spent a good half hour examining it. There were inscriptions and signs of the zodiac, and menoras, and peacocks, etc etc.
Everything in Ein Gedi is very close. Even Massada is only 17km away. The mosaic shul is only 1min from our guest house, and the nature reserve is 30secs away (drive out one driveway and in the next), and the kibbutz is 2mins away.
So then we went to the Ein Gedi National Park, where you take the waterfall trail along the floor of the gorge where numerous spring are flowing out of the mountain (some flow from as far away as 200km, from the direction of J'lem). This walk/hike took us about 3-4hrs and i tell you these girls are all troopers! Especially Hannah who walked almost the whole way - extraordinary! She was very excited to walk up and down steps and over the rocks (mostly holding hands) and through puddles and ponds and flowing creek beds. There are about 4 major waterfalls every few hundred metres and we stopped at each one, including for lunch that we'd brought with. It was quite exciting reaching the end where there was a quite high double waterfall flowing down from seemingly dry rockface. The wildlife of ibex, hyrax, crab, snails, birds, et al, kept us all entertained as we walked and were kept in wonder by our surroundings.
This was our last opportunity to go into the Dead Sea, so at around 3pm we went for a swim - or tried to. The light wind was stirring up the water to small crashing waves, the rocky and salt crystal floor hurt our feet and made walking difficult and the leering 'cousins' made for some easy decisions: A. Leave, B. never swim in the Dead Sea at a public beach, & C. in the future always go to Kalia Beach in the far north of the sea (mud there too!) - its the best.
Drove 1min up the road to Ein Gedi Kibbutz around 4pm. Decided to have dinner there when the restaurant opened at 6, and we walked the well maintained gardens beforehand. It is quite beautiful. Had a very lavish dinner (buffet), and invited Marilee from Colorado Springs to dine at our table with us which made for some unusual but interesting conversation, specifically about her views on Israel. It was quite enjoyable.
So we've come back to our room and our now getting ready to venture down south tomorrow to Eilat - should be a blast - staying at the Hilton Queen of Sheba for 4 nights.
The next report will fill you in about that...
P
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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FW: Steinbergs in Israel - Gedera & Ein Gedi
Dudu took us for a nice walk around the old streets of Gedera, culminating in a walk through a semi-private sculpture garden. Sculptures in every shape and form, welded, glued, attached from all sorts of junk, especially metals. Was great. Had a great big family lunch with Chen, Itai, Liron&Shaqed&Nadav, Mor&Yair&Elona, Shai, Osnat&Shai&Roni. I was given honour of kiddush again. A lovely afternoon with lots of food and drink(JWgold-yay!) and Lhasa's wine. That night we sat around watching TV (Israeli Survivor - hilarious but not very tznius).
Sun 29th - Drive to EinGedi (via J'lem): left about 11am and had a leisurely drive to ein gedi via J'lem. Stopped at the Kotel for a daven, the Cardo to replace a piece of jewellery, and Ir David to replace another piece of jewellery. Then drove on to Ein Gedi, staying at the Beth Sarah Guest house. It doubles as a youth hostel, but we were upgraded to 2 interconnecting rooms away from the young rabble. Not many options for dinner in Ein Gedi. We had dinner at the buffet in the guest house and we gorged ourselves on salads and meat and schnitzels and potatoes and drinks.
Mon 30th - Massada: after brekky in the dining hall with ALL the kids and the arabs and christians and non-denominationals we drove 17km south to Massada. Went up the cable car which freaked the kids out (in a good way) and then walked around the top for about 3hrs. The girls and i (bli R&H) walked down to the Northern Palace(i've never seen it before) which is a scary walk down the side of the mountain and culminated our tour with seeing the gigantic southern cistern which we were all too scared to walk into (my vertigo kicked in very swiftly, knees turned to jelly). Came down the cable car again with lots of squeals of excitement and then had a nice lunch there, which they didn't charge us much for because they were about to pack up(holiday tip ;-). We ate at about 3pm and had so much that we didn't eat dinner - when we got back to our rooms we showered off all the dust and went straight to bed.
Tues 1st Dec: Ein Gedi Reserve and Kibbutz:...... To follow...... (just eating dinner in the Kibbutz at the moment - wow and yum)
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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