Started last night at about 2:30 am.  That was when I had my wake up call.  Yes, way too fucking early.  I think during our time in Israel if we crashed at that time...it was considered going to sleep early! LOL

Anyway, so at 2:30 I have my wake up call and I start getting ready and doing a once over around the room - making sure I did not forget anything...then I jump in the shower to wake myself up and then hop on the PC.  I check my classes once over before I disconnect the PC and then I send a noted to Lital, Yair and Adi - thanking them again for everything and saying my final goodbyes.  By this time it's getting close to 3:30 and I am off downstairs from the 14th floor.

I pay the last meal two meals that I had at the hotel - was just too depressed to go out and at the same time I KNEW I had to get some sleep - so no visit to Mike's Place LOL....and I wait for my cab.  The guy checking me out at the hotel said I am getting at the airport at least an hour too early, but I still went.  I was awake and I know it takes me longer to get to where I need to go - besides customs is a bitch.

Cab shows up, and we head out.  I recorded it on the camcorder - Tel Aviv at night.  It was surreal in a way.  Two weeks ago, we got here now we are leaving.  Two weeks ago we got here VERY EARLY in the morning - almost sunrise.  Now I am leaving before sunrise and everything is dark.  Even that view was beautiful - viewing the beach at 4 am!

I give the taxi a good tip (total cost was 150 NIS).  And, I am off to the terminal - and wait! LOL  Yes, I had to wait for an hour until I knew what part of the terminal my plane was going to be in and what gate I had to go to.
About 5:30 am I find out.  I head out to Gate A and am promptly questioned by IDF security and they put me on hold.  I was like WTF?  The girl questioning me hands me back my passport and walks away and people are passing me and I am just staying there per her instructions.  About 15-20 min of standing there looking stupid I flag another inspector and ask him for some assistance.  Within 5 min I am on my way. 

I was asked basically the same questions:  What was the purpose of my visit (business or pleasure).  Who did I see?  I start giving names, then he was like do you have phone numbers.  I said Yes.  I start pulling out my blackberry and he laughs and said no he doesn't need to see LOL.  He asks me if I am Jewish (looking at my necklace) and I laugh and said yes.  Then he asks if I am apart of a community, and I say no.  That prompts a couple minute conversation there.  A couple minutes later, he puts a sticker on my bag and I am cleared. (far easier than Shawn's experience I take it)

The Security is EXTREMELY detailed with the bag inspections.  I think one of the reasons I was potentially flagged was that I was there in Israel for 15 days yet I was only returning with my carry on bag.  It raised questions, though I kept telling them I had fed ex-ed the majority of my luggage previously in the week and even once pulled out my fed ex receipt.  Anyway, I get through border security and at this point I am in the Terminal waiting. 

A little side note, I found a Kosher McDonalds at the airport.  Now, let's get this straight right now.  Kosher McDonalds is an oxymoron.  How can you NOT have cheese on your burgers at McDonalds?  Honestly, it's the only thing that makes the burgers somewhat palatable.  Needless to say I was not impressed LOL  But I do think this is the one that the girls were at before they left on their vacation (though I could be wrong LOL)

While I am waiting to go through the last security checkpoint and get to passport control I start using my camcorder LOL...this is where security comes to me and asks me to turn it off - they dont want me to record the planes.  With that my camcorder goes in the bag and I head to passport control.  (this was the last thing I filmed in Israel)

They take forever to get the luggage cleared!  I tihnk that alone took about 40 min and by this time I start getting concerned if I will make it to my flight.  Between the security checks and passport control that alone ate up about 45 min!  During this time I wondered, ok what happens IF I miss my flight?  What do I do? Anyway, I didn't have to worry, I get to passport control and she doesn't even ask me a question - just stamps my exit visa and I am off to the gate and I manage to get there with literally 10 minutes to spare before they begin boarding.

I board the flight and am instantly depressed again.  Feeling regret that I am leaving. Yet I do - leave.  In about 5 hours I was in London.  With a 3 hour layover there...and then a nearly 11 hour flight to Phoenix.

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at 04:43 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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