Bike Ride from Tel Aviv to Haifa

I met up with Stephan and Eric at 9am at Arlozorov and Namir St. in Tel Aviv.  We then headed north on the main highway.  Since it was Shabbat, the traffic was sparse.  What an amazing day!!!!  The weather was nice and cool, following a week of rain and cooler temperatures.  A little bit after Ceacariya, we rode uphill into the Carmel Mountain Range which runs all the way into Haifa.  We had dips and climbs, and it was tough.  Along the way there were olive groves and the local Druze make oil, labaneh, hummous, etc...  We stopped to eat and it was fantastic.  Take a look at the photos and you'll see.  We ended up in Haifa later in the day and had dinner at Eric's family restaurant - Maxim.  Good food to end a wonderful day.  We rode 120 km in about 6 hours, (with time spent eating and checking out the views of course).

Before Israel

I stayed at Ricardo's house before I left with El Al at JFK airport.  Ricardo lives in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn, New York.  I met up with Ryan Kitson, Reem Al-Zahawi and Nura Qureshi.  Fortunately, I had Ricardo's bike to ride around town.  We went to eat and drink at many amazing restaurants and bars.  Reem, you are awesome for giving me the turquoise bracelet and necklace (which is hanging on my wall).  Thank you Nura for helping me with my bags, you rock.  The photo of Ricardo was taken right after he got off his motorcycle.  Thankfully he is still alive considering how dangerous NYC traffic is.  (Remember to always get the other person's info if you ever get into an accident).  New York was a blast and I had a great time, morning, afternoon and night.  Thanks to all who hosted me, especially Ric!  I love you guys.

The airplane ride was loud.  One family had two children that were running around and constantly yelling.  Always remember to bring earplugs when flying!!!  I watched a little bit of "The Bucket List" - a film with Jack Nicolson and Morgan Freeman.  It's about two older men who go through cancer treatment and develop an amazing relationship.  It helps put serious health issues into a new perspective. 

On the El Al flight, I was surrounded by many religious people which was a bit awkward.  Was I excited to move to Israel?- Yes, very much.  Not for religious reasons but for change.  For starting a movement and to continue the trend of volunteering for the public good.  To raise cancer awareness.  And for Tikkun Olam - to help make the world a better place to live in all ways and for all people.  I didn't sleep too long on the flight, yet I am ready to start a new day in a different place with a different language.  Mazel tov to Nefesh b'Nefesh, Adi Fargon (my Shaliach), my family and friends, to all who believed in me: Jody, Sue, Mom, Brian, Emily, Barbara, Dr. Recht and Lynn Adler.  All of you are great!

Corey's first blog

Hello everyone,  This is my first blog.  Photos will be uploaded shortly.  I still have much to figure out about how the blog system works.  Call me old fashioned, but I have never made one before.

Living in Tel Aviv is great!  I live in the center of town right next door to Dizengoff Mall.  I'm a few blocks from the Mediterranean and there are cafes, clothing stores and restaurants galore. The weather has been hot, but it is now cooling down.  This makes bicycling around the city a little less sweaty...

For Yom Kippur, I traveled to Kibbutz Dan, the most northern kibbutz in Israel.  I fasted in the beautiful region about the Kinneret lake.  My friend Shirley and I went walking around a bird swamp that houses some of the millions of birds that are currently migrating through Israel. There were also large rodents, that were brought in from Brazil, swimming around the canals.

They are not shy, so be careful if you ever go bush-whacking there.

A good Sukkot to all who celebrate it.  For the next week, school is out.

Good news: I went to see a neurologist yesterday and everything is great with my brain. 

Have a good day.