I was sitting quietly in my room sorting quarters from Euros when a knock came at the door.  A man that I did not recognise appeared.  He said he was there to take me somewhere.  It was ok he told me. We would go to the home of the owners of the club.  I walked with him down to the car and we drove off into the night. driving along a secluded road his cellphone rang, he answered a couple quick questions.  Plans had changed.  Soon we arrived at the gate of a high secuity area along the coast.  He talked to the gaurd in Hebrew.  After a short conversation we turned and went to a side gate.  Slowly the 12 foot raser wire gate began to open.  I wondered what would happen next. . .

Soon we came upon a man on the side of the road.  It was Ehud who owns the local kayak club building.  Ehud in real life is a Tugboat captain and is in charge of bringing large coal carriers in to feed the giant power plant that fills the local skyline.  Hadas and the gang were struggling with traffic in Jerusalam and were not coming back to met me as they had hoped.  Ehud was determined I would not pass up another meal.  I have to admit I was feeling very guilty that they all have went so far out of their way to be sure I eat. It must not be as obvious to them as it is to me that I can aford to miss a meal here and there.  In the end we went for diner at a nice little restaurant near the plant, then walked back to the club.  I thanked him as he walked back into the darkness to return to base.  This is what it means to have guests in Isreal.  I have to admit its hard for me to accept such hospitality given the sort of self-reliant attitude I’ve gained over the years. Yet them it seems quite natural to be nothing but exceptional hosts. I have to learn to take hospitality in the spirit it’s given and not always feel so bloody guilty!!

Above is a photo of the guesthouse on the shore where I, Jeff Allen and Phil Eccles are staying.  I walked back from here to the club in the darkness just a few minutes ago.  Near us is a small school of some sort. I can’t read the signs!  Outside in the dark a young man was working with a young woman who was lying on the ground doing leg lifts in the grass.  Just as she would start to lift her legs he would place a brick between her feet which she would hold in place as she raised her legs into the air.  Then she would lower her legs until her feet were just off the ground.  Her partner would remove the brick, then she’d bring her feet to the ground.  Then they would repeat the process.  This they did outside, in silence, in the dark.

 As I mentioned, this morning we did get some time out paddling.  The water was lively and fun. I really wish I’d have had a bit more energy at the time!

So tomarrow the symposium starts in ernest. I have full classes 2 times each day with 9 students in each.  I’m not sure who will be assisting yet, but it should be fun.  We will be teaching rolling of course but with a more “traditional” bent provided by me.  In the end it’s hard to tell whether Isreal will build a strong traditional paddling community.  But one thing is sure, it’s quite an honor to spend this weekend being part of the introduction.

Related Posts:

1. the show so far
2. Meanwhile in Israel
3. Fog Bowl 2010
4. Hot Summer Sun
5. D Am Em G

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