I Met The Zohan

And he gives a wonderful haircut!  I’m certain the movie is based on him.  He’s got the same long curly hair, and is actually upset with Adam Sandler for not giving him credit.  He has a poster of the movie in his salon with his name, Yossi, written over “Zohan”.  He’s got this sweet habit of using the blow drier to cool his face every time he takes it out.  First for Yossi, then for you.  It should be embarrassing, but Yossi is anything but ashamed.  When asked if he’s dating, he responded that he can’t date women.  I thought he was going to tell me that he liked men, but I was mistaken.  Yossi informed me that he has tried, but they all get jealous of the other women he works with all day.  What an amazingly Israeli response!

In related Israeli news, Arlene and “The Hez” arrived in Melbourne last week.  They made it to my place at midnight on Friday night and went right to bed.  When they got up at 7a, I had just finished work and then went to bed myself.  It's a perfectly workable bed rotation.  I gave them directions and told them to find George and his coffee shop, and they set out to do so.  They toured the streets of South Yarra asking anyone in sight where to find George’s coffee shop.  When they arrived, Hezi found himself in heaven.  I woke up at 1:30p and saw Mom was in the apartment.  I was surprised to find out that Hezi was still visiting George.  At 3:30, we finally separated Hezi from his new best friend.  Melbourne will never be the same!

It’s been a great 2 weeks.  Melbourne is an amazing city, and even better during the Australian Open.  Novak Djokovic is staying on my street just a few apartments down.  Hezi and I made friends with his coach, Marian, and his physio.  Hezi told stories of his Davis cup days and by our second street encounter we were real buddy-buddy with them.  After a great time in Melbourne, we were off to Kangaroo Island where we stayed in Australia’s best resort, the Southern Ocean Lodge.  Enjoy the photos of this amazing place.  I got to see my first koalas and kangaroos.  I made friends with them all and even got to hold Ruby the baby Roo (known as a “Joey”) who has his own Facebook page.

We made our way to Sydney, where Hezi stewed in his hotel room for 2 days, in disbelief we were at the Sheridan. It’s a Levy vacation past-time at this point.  Mom and I toured the Opera house which has an incredible history.  On Sunday, they headed off to New Zealand, and I retuned to Melbourne to meet my friend, Kathy, who was staying with me for the week.  It was great to see the P’s, and I’m so happy they loved Melbourne.  It’s not easy to please “The Hez”, but this place did it for him.

I would like to be writing more often, but traveling is really getting in the way of my blogging.  There are lots of pictures in different albums this time.  I hope you enjoy ‘em!

Mom and Dad in Melbourne:

https://picasaweb.google.com/aussielevy/MomAndDadInMelbourne?authkey=Gv1sRgCK_h0rv4lZjRMg#

Kangaroo Island and Sydney

https://picasaweb.google.com/aussielevy/KangarooIslandSydney?authkey=Gv1sRgCN2mp4et2cL4Bw#

KPS and the Australian Open

https://picasaweb.google.com/aussielevy/KPSAndTheAustralianOpen?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn7rdKc1oHsiAE#

Also, after much reflection, I discovered why I came to Melbourne.  I thought this video would express my thoughts more personally.  If you’re reading this in your email, you might have to check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljv-swXfqoo&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL to see the video.

Prince Ali, Fabulous Me.

A warning note: this one's a bit long...so strap in!

Just as I suspected, my welcoming committee into the United Arab Emirates was exactly like this:

Go ahead...press play and enjoy for a minute!

With all the concern over my Israeli passport stamps, the Emirati people never made me feel uncomfortable.  It was after midnight by the time I made it to the Crown Plaza Hotel.  I parked my rental car and then promptly got propositioned for sex by a Canadian Airlines Flight Attendant.  He actually asked me to get in the car and take a ride with him.  If I wasn’t so creeped out, I would have laughed.  Do sex offenders still really use that line?

It turns out I was the biggest danger to myself.  Without thinking, I gulped down 2 glasses of sink water when I woke up in the morning.  I confirmed with the front desk that sink water is not for drinking in Abu Dhabi.  So I laced up my running shoes and went out for what I thought would be my final run.  The water front path along the Corniche stretches 6.5 miles from the Fish Market at one end to the Emirates Palace at the other.  I survived the run, freshened up at home, and waited for the contaminants to have their way with me.  Luckily, I never got the death.  I did suffer one messy poop situation…but with the whole lactose intolerance condition, you can never be 100% sure where credit is doodoo.

I found Abu Dhabi to be clean and beautiful.  The highlight was a cup of Jasmine green tea at the Emirates Palace, which came with 3 of the best cookies I’ve ever tasted.  It was just me, some live lounge music, and a few interesting NYTimes articles. 

On my way to Dubai, I took a 6 hour detour to see a Camel Beauty Contest.  I arrived just after it ended, but still got some photos that I consider well worth the trip.

Dubai has more charm than it gets credit for.  It is certainly over the top, but after my Gloria Jeans Coffees Soy Chai Tea Latte kicked in, I got into the mall culture over there!  Everyone told me to expect extravagance, and even still, I was amazed.  The mall itself is the destination.  People don't come to shop.  The one person I did see carrying a bag of purchases forgot it next to me while I was photographing the waterfall, leaving me with an awkward sense of responsibility and no idea what to do with the bag.  They come to see the underwater zoo, the aquarium, or maybe the ice rink.  The fashion cat walk draws a nice crowd as well.  When they’re through inside the mall, they exit as an exotic car paparazzi, marveling at the vehicles valeted before them.  The best part, though, happens from 6-11p, during the Burj Khalifa (world’s tallest building) Fountain show.  It’s spectacular! 

MJ’s “Thriller” welcomed me to the scene and I was completely hooked after that!  They followed with Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” (which I know every word and beat) and played Lionel Riche’s “All Night Long” (which I didn’t have an issue singing along to either).  That unexpected Friday night treat made my visit to Dubai.  The following morning included brunch at the magificantly designed and decorated Burj Al Arab (hotel in the shape of a sailboat, which is the only 7 star hotel in the world).  Thanks, Barbara, for the recommendation to check it out. 

The pictures tell a better story of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aussielevy/AbuDhabiAndDubai?authkey=Gv1sRgCKPZy6_Cs4ahbw#

I made a wrong turn in a round-a-bout into Masdar city near the airport on my way back from Dubai.  I had a little extra time before catching my flight, so I went with it.  I’m so glad I did.  My brief tour of Masdar city was worth missing my flight (although I’m happy I didn’t).  It’s the first and only carbon negative city in development.  Currently only the institute and student housing is finished, but keep an ear out for this place.

I was super-excited Adamo on my sprint through Masdar.  Make sure you watch until you get to the self-driving vehicle (about a minute in).  Absolutely nuts!

Happy New Year everyone!