Things learned in transit

[magid]

• Heathrow security really doesn't like things bought at non-EU duty-free shops.
  
• It's also so large that not only do they have buses between terminals, but also the medics ride bicycles inside the terminals.
  
• Israeli security is not interested in metal-free shoes yet. Nor are they as obviously concerned with the casual importation of agricultural products as the U.S. is.
  
• Logan has the grimmest international entrances. What an unpleasant way to start a trip.
  
• When there are individual screens and many video options to choose, it's much nicer to be able to choose one's own start time. Onscreen backgammon cane make up for this to some extent.
  
• Having the Camelbak as the one carry-on makes things much easier than the larger backpack, especially when there are connections to be made.
  
• Being met at the airport is incredibly lovely, especially after at least 10 hours crammed into airline steerage.
  
• Some kosher airline meals are actually worth eating. Or at least, some parts of them are.
  edit
  
• Security at Ben Gurion was the first ever to care about my (small, metal) crochet hooks, though they let them through in the end. (I think they're far more dangerous than nail clippers, which, had they had a nail file attached, would not have been allowed.) /edit

And now, considering it's 4 A.M. in this morning's time zone, and I got up for a 5 A.M. shared taxi this morning (read: the second half of the night was "enhanced" by travel stress dreams and intermittent wake-ups to check the time), it's time for bed (in my own bed! the glories of home!). Pleasant dreams, all.

Comments

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Welcome back!

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

What he said!

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thank you both!

It feels a bit strange to be home (so much green! everything in English!), even though I never transitioned into Hebrew this trip (the short version: the lingua franca of the ride was English, and that was both for the non-Hebrew-speaking riders as well as the Jordanians and Palestinians who don't speak Hebrew either).

[dancingdeer.livejournal.com]

Welcome back. Looking forward to more stories of the trip, and pictures.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Stories to come, hopefully with photos, once I figure out how to get them off the camera (not sure whether I can with this current [ancient] computer, actually).

[cellio]

Welcome home! Good luck with the time-shifting.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think the time-shifting would be easier had I managed to hydrate much more adequately in transit...

Ditto!

[avivasedai.livejournal.com]

No-one claps when planes land in the US. Funny, nu?

Re: Ditto!

[magid.livejournal.com]

I think there was clapping on one leg of the four to/from Israel (one landing was incredibly smooth, and the braking seemed to be less headlong too), and I don't remember whether there was at Sde Dov. I wonder how much is cultural and how much is people becoming blase about air travel.

[(Anonymous)]

Welcome back! Rest up before the approaching heatwave.

I continue to be impressed by your reflections and observations.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Heatwave?! Dang. I'd been looking at MA temps intermittently and fondly thinking it would be cooler when I got here... (my apartment has an unfortunate tendency (for the summer, anyway) to hold onto heat, which means it'll feel worse than higher temps in my friends' cool, breezy, and stone apartment. *sigh*)

And thank you. More to come once I'm awake enough to use my notes and able to get photos off the camera.

[(Anonymous)]

Cooler today, with a bit of rain. Heat wave begins over Shabbat.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Oy. I suppose I should leave fans on this Shabbat, then!

[tapuz.livejournal.com]

welcome home!

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I'm trying to remember all the things I left for "after the trip." Should've written a list...