The V Man Returns to Kibbutz Sufa
Trip Start
Nov 19, 2003
1
34
Trip End
Apr 29, 2004
Kibbutz Sufa and Negev Desert, Israel
Saturday, April 24, 2004
From Beersheva the V man would travel to Kibbutz Sufa to visit his kibbutz "family" i.e., the Enbals: Gili, (the matriarch), Tzvika, (the patriarch); Tamar, Ophir (sisters) and (brother) Alon.
The V Man called this kibbutz home from 1988-1991. 3 joyous years.!!!
Upon arrival to Beersheva, the V Man was greeted by his younger "sister" Ophir and her beau Tomer. Thank you both for retrieving the V Man!
Prior to setting off for Kibbutz Sufa, the trio sat at a large Beersheva mall not far from the train station. When Ophir left for an errand at a photo store, the V Man seized the opportunity to give Ophir's boyfriend the 3rd Degree!!!, i.e. where did they meet, what did he do, etc, etc. No kidding!!! [Hey, Uncle V has known Ophir for approximately 16 years!!!]
When Ophir returned the 3 set off in the direction of Kibbutz Sufa, together with two of Tomer's friends. A symphony of cell phones serenaded the V Man during the 1 hour trip.
Upon arrival to Sufa, the V Man was met by members of his adopted kibbutz clan. Hugs and kisses were exchanged and the V Man was treated to a fabulous schnitzel feast, washed down with Zichron Yaacov wine. Thank you Gili for a great dinner!!! Tayim Maod!!! (very tasty!).
Morning next, Gili, Tzvika, and the V man daytripped to the awesome Negev desert.
Just outside of Kibbutz Sde Boker the three left the marked road and 4-wheeled into the desert. Stopping at a cliff, and standing adjacent to a small Byzantine fortress, the 3 enjoyed the spectacular view of the Negev.
Next the trio visited the graves of Paula and David Ben Gurion, the latter served as Israel's first prime minister.
From the Ben Gurions' final resting place, the three drove to En Odvat for a short hike through a picturesque desert canyon. Lovely!
The hike was followed by a super picnic. Middle eastern salads, schnitzel and cold drinks satisfied the hungry hikers. Thank you Gili, Tzvika (and Mother N) for treating the V Man to such a fine day. And cheers for having the V Man as a guest at Hotel Enbal!
The Enbal family is not the only family that the V Man became attached to during his years at Kibbutz Sufa. While working as part of the gardening crew during his first days at Sufa, (circa 1988-1989), the V man became very close friends with his gardening boss, and metaphysics mentor, Mr. Trevor Fletcher. The V Man was introduced to the writings of Carlos Casteneda and Dan Millman via this expat South African gent. In return the V Man turned Trevor on to the teachings of Lao Tzu. Many a profound discussions were had during their days picking weeds, fixing sprinklers, and planting gardens on the kibbutz.
When the V Man returned from his desert outing, he hopped over to the Fletcher abode to greet the family and kibbitz. The V Man greeted Naomi, (Trevor's wife), with a kiss and the canine members of the family with a wave and pat. Later the V Man met the 2 Fletcher offspring Yonaton and Noah. Both have grown so much since the V Man first planted Nikes on kibbutz land so long ago. Wonderful to see them all.
During the V Man's short visit to the kibbutz he took a couple of walks with Trevor. The two quickly delved into subjects that they once gabbed about so long ago. This time the focus was parallel universes. [No they were not smoking The Herb!]
Also on the kibbutz the V Man had an opportunity to visit with Bernard, Margaret and their children. Bernard has surgically had a nargila attached as a fifth extremity! [See pictures, (a nargila is a middle eastern water pipe filled with sweet flavored tobacco)]. Beers were downed as the two discussed past, and present, times at Kibbutz Sufa.
It is common for a 12th grade graduating high school class, (in the kibbutz school system) to put on a play prior to graduation. The V Man attended the Herculean themed play of "sister" Tamar. Well done!!! Afterwards each student received their diploma. A lot more informal and fun than a US style graduation. Congratulations Tamar!!!
After a long weekend of gobbling schnitzel, gabbing, and giggling with "family" and friends, the V Man hitched a ride towards Tel Aviv. Thank you Naomi (Trevor's mother) for the ride to the Ashdod intersection. Much obliged.
Dropped off at the Ashdod intersection, the V Man hopped bus 212 towards Rehovot. Approx 15 minutes later the V Man exited the bus and headed to Kfar Gvirol, home to many families with Yemenite ancestry, and to the V Man's good buddy Andy, a Scotsman married to Ifat, a Yemenite lass.
With the festivities surrounding Israeli Independence ready to begin within hours, the V Man kept his initial Kfar Gvirol visit short. From Kfar Gvirol the V Man bussed his way to Modiin via Rishon Letzion and Ramle.
Ayelet and Uri were the reason for the V Man's trip to Modiin. The three ate dinner together and then gazed at rainbow colored fireworks as they lit up the sky over Modiin.
Morning next, Israel Independence Day, the V man devoured BBQed hamburgers and hot dogs in Tel Aviv together with Ayelet and her family. Yummy. The V Man can never have enough grilled grub.
Later that day the V Man returned to Kfar Gvirol to spend the night with Andy and his family. Before departing the next morn, the V Man would babysit a 2.5 year old and 1 year old. Believe it or not!!! (The V Man has photographic evidence if you doubt same.)
After babysitting, the V Man hopped a minibus and headed back to Tel Aviv for lunch with Amir. Following a meal on Sheinkin Street, the V Man bid Amir farewell and headed by taxi to Tel Aviv's famous Dizengoff street to meet Oren. Oren and the V Man visited beautiful Yafo, and then strolled the famous Azrieli mall before returning back to Jerusalem.
On their way back to Jerusalem, the V Man and Oren stopped in Abu Ghosh to dine with friends at the Lebanon Restaurant. Slurp!!! Meat skewers and humous disappeared moments after landing on the table. After dining in Abu Ghosh, and prior to returning to Jerusalem, everybody headed to the home of Matti and Michal for dessert. Matti cooked up banana-kahlua flambe for all to enjoy. Yum!
Morning next was the V Man's last day in the Holyland. The V Man met old buddy Yoel for lunch at Eldad Vizehu. The V Man was treated to a delicious steak. Thank you Mr. Z.
The V Man had an opportunity, the week prior, to pay a visit to Casa Zisenwine. Their he chatted with old chum Yoel and greeted Yoel's wife Ella as well as Etai, their cute baby boy!
Following steaks with Yoel, the V man toured the awesome Old city of Jerusalem with Oren, visiting among other sites, (1) the Golgotha where legend says Jesus was crucificed and (2) the Wailing Wall, a last remnant of the Second Temple. Afterwards, the V Man packed his belongings and was escorted, by Oren, to Ben Gurion airport where the Vagabonder boarded a Royal Jordanian jet for a trip, via Amman, to Bangkok, Thailand!!!
Comments
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