1/21/22
Israel is my happy place; no matter what is going on in my life, being in Israel stills my mind and warms my heart.
In the weeks leading up to the vacation break, the rules for tourists entering the country changed every few days. It got to the point where I did not believe that this trip would actually happen for us. The very expensive tickets that we planned to use were bought two years ago for the anticipated Bar Mitzvah of our Canadien grandson Ezra; he will be 15 soon.
When we finally got to Israel this past summer after a year and half, we were able to cash in on some of the ticket credit from the cancelled pesach/Bar Mitzvah trip. We had hoped to be in Israel for Sukkot for the Bar Mitzvah of our Israeli grandson Dovid, but that trip did not come to pass; the Bar Mitzvah was beautiful and wonderful, even without us.
We then relegated the credit and our hopes for being in Israel to this January break.
Miracles do happen!
We told ourselves that even if we sit in ‘bidud’ (quarantine) the whole time, we won’t complain. Just being able to spend time with our grandkids, one studying in Yeshiva(a Canadian, Elisha) and the 6 kids who live here, would be enough.
Yet, there continues to be drama, and more drama. Despite the multiple PCR tests that we both have taken, 4 in less than two weeks, we continue to be lucky enough to test negative.
Why 4?
I was advised to take a precautionary PCR before the required “to travel” PCR so that just in case I caught Omicron, I could count 8 days since testing positive (thankfully I did not) and still be able to travel.
This “8 days” was better than the original “11” that had been required.
This actually did happen to my husband Bob; he thankfully tested negative twice after a positive PCR result and thankfully only a small cough, three weeks ago. To ensure no problems(on the off chance he still tested positive) when we landed, Bob got a doctor’s note attesting to his recovery; there is no guarantee that the note would be honored when we landed in Israel.
We were taking no chances!
Thankfully he tested negative on the three subsequent tests he took.
Now, that leaves just me!
We landed in Ben Gurian and went for our ‘get out of the airport’ PCR and green bracelet; it was simple and quick. Results would be available in 24 hours, and you are permitted to be out of quarantine with or without results(crazy but true).
Bob got his results quickly; not me. Not that day or even the next one!
I am on a number of advisory chats with whom I consult about travel to Israel. They advised me to take a precautionary (there’s that word again) follow up PCR in case I somehow contracted Omicron on the plane.
I was free to leave the apartment (which I did) and walk around but just in case I want to go back to the USA on time, I should take another PCR. I’m not going there, it will take too long and only makes sense when you are going through it. Even then, I’m not sure.
And so I did; we have someone who comes to the house (about $110 as opposed to the $15 for the still not posted airport one) and get a precautionary test.
Twenty minutes after the technician left, I got my negative results from the airport test. I do not lie.
This morning I got my latest negative results from the at home technician.
I have not spent a minute in quarantine; I have been free to walk around with the Green Pass that was issued upon completion of my online medical form when I registered all of my vaccination cards for entry before my trip!
I am not a mellow or chill personality; it’s not a secret. I thought I handled all of this pretty well until this morning when I could not find my bag with some, not all, of my important cards. I looked everywhere, retraced my steps countless times, called the restaurant where we had lunch and cancelled my credit card(strangely, there was no activity??)
Just after I bought myself a new bag, I found the lost one back in our apartment wedged between some pillows.
It’s now Erev Shabbat in Israel; I am sitting in my daughter’s living room listening to Mordechai Shapiro’s music(he is my grandkid’s uncle) and watching as her four daughter team are cooking, cleaning, organizing and helping her bring in shabbat. Each girl has a special job: one folds laundry, one cleans the kitchen, one does the living room and one does everything else.
Rachel, my daughter, runs a private catering business; her two sons and husband help with packaging and making deliveries. They just left to drop yummy food at a client’s home.
We have to keep our eyes on the prize, focus on the goal and not let ourselves be deterred by distractions or stumbling blocks. It’s not easy, it’s not. Accomplishing what you are set on and achieving it, well that works for me.
I am in my safe, happy place and I am good! I hope that you are on your way to be comfortably in yours.
And yes, yes, yes; despite all of the drama and effort, it is good!!
Stay warm and safe and enjoy a Shabbat Shalom.
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