One more tv reference, if I may. There was a commercial that I just loved.

A young couple (teenagers) are on a date. He is turned toward his friends, whom she cannot see, they help guide him through the date, motion to take her hand, hold up the menu the right way, it was adorable. The couple gets up and the guys give a high 5, only to see 2 young women doing the same on the other side.

I get so fed up with American commercials, they are beyond ridiculous and stupid.
I change the channel the second they come on and the idea that someone gets paid for this crap is scary, not kidding. This commerical is brilliant and I was very impressed. Probably one of the best commercials I have ever seen.

Israel, briefly here, has some wonderful tv programs. Shemesh, Parnas in the Tavern, Lag B'omer(met one of the actors here in LA), and my favorite, Zu Artzaynu, all brilliant and very creative. Unfortunately, saw none of these while here, they are probably old. Thank you Israel Film Festival and Drishat Shalom.

Time to go........

Up to the lounge for that final chocolate pecan cake. You can check out here but opted to check out at the front desk, watching my time and wanting to get to the airport early.

I thank them warmly for their wonderful and outstanding hospitality. They wish me a good trip and that I come back, which I will.

Down to reception and to that same beautiful woman who brought me in in the first place. I go out of my way to be waited on by her. Paid $100 US, the rest on my debit card. All went thru, whewww. The Rennaissance not taking the certs put me off by over $300/400. Also, I had about a $100 US in extra expenses here. Naughty me.

Also, fyi, if you rent a car in Israel, they authorize your card at US $2,000. I couldn't do that. OUCH Just so ya know.

I filled out the comment card and thanked them dearly, shaking hands with the staff. I hate goodbyes, they are awful.

Out to a taxi and Mr. Mossad gets me a taxi, Ben Gurion, Toda.

We make the same journey toward Ramat Gan.

A stupid bus cuts a turn and misses the light, makes all of us miss the light, too. Driver is not happy! Let loose that horn!! Yeah. I am loving it. Someone who drives like me.

By the way, everytime a bus came along and drove alongside of us, it freaked me out!!
I can't even imagine Jerusalem. Cringe.

It was that emotional drive, that farewell, always a pain. For some reason, Singapore was one of my hardest to leave, very sad. Everytime I would drive my rental car to Dorval in Montreal, very sad. Leaving Paris, si triste.

The taxi driver was cool, some English. I asked how much, he gave me a ridiculous number, like a $1,000 US, then laughed.

On to the highway to Ben Gurion. We talked a little, I took my last look at Tel Aviv.

A car almost hit us and he was cursing at him, then saw his sign, " Oh, security! it figures it is security!!" then cursed the guy, I loved it! This guy was fun. Mr. Security idiot just drove off.

Back to the open lands and interesting highway signs. Most are in Hebrew and English, one was in Hebrew and Arabic, no English.

He offered to take me to Jerusalem, even the outside of it, just to see it, I said no, wanting to get to Ben Gurion and he said ah, don't worry, check in will take 5 minutes. NOT! for us foreign people, for the Israelis yes. So I passed and explained that now I have incentive to come back.

We hit the Airport checkpoint and he said Shalom, the guy waves us on. This is easier than LAX, lovely. So we Yanks are going overboard!?

Then you can see the new terminal. The ELAL hangars. Then our terminal.

Tropical trees abound and a big parking lot in the middle. I would expect more security, but figure it is hidden.

He drops me off. He charges more than the other ride, I still give a good tip.

I like him.

Off to get a cart and then find an entrance. Half the doorways are blocked, ugh.

The entrance was the final seen in 'Besame Mucho.' Kind of cool.

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