Boker Tov, Ahuvi!

So I'm awake. It's 7:30am as I'm typing this and I'm pretty much awake and over the jetlag. Michael is asleep because he's having a harder time of things. Poor guy.

Our apartment is situated in Nachlaot just a couple blocks south of the Machene Yehuda Shuk, the most amazing and fantastic place for foodies like myself in the whole world, let alone all of Israel. It's a little farther than the place we stayed last time, but I hope it isn't so bad.

The flights were ok. We had some trouble with seats because, even though we'd paid Delta good money like 4 months ago, the stupid airline put us on standby because they oversold the flight -- something I strongly believe should be illegal: I'm talkin' to you, Mr President Obama!

We got on the flight ok to New York but it was awful at the end. We were stuck in the center (as in no window seat access at all) and it was terrible and partially to blame for me almost barfing because of the heavy turbulence as we approached JFK. Motion sick as a dog! We hit the icy ground with a wild thud and I was sooo sick! The plane was late and we taxied on the tarmac forever until we got to the gate.

Thus, once we were allowed off the flying torture machine, we ran like mad to the next gate, only to be told that we, once again, did not have actual seat assignments. I got this lecture from this SOB Delta employee that I "should've gone online and requested seats when I got the tickets, bla bla blah" I told him that I did and was unable to do so because HIS website wouldn't let me. He then began to lecture me about how Delta and most airlines oversell tickets. I told him that should be illegal and we went back and forth because he was excusing it because it wasn't illegal. I began getting very upset because, one way or another, he was telling me that this was all MY fault. I was trying to be polite, but I was tired, hungry, needed very badly to use a restroom, and paid lots of money to be on this flight and he was very, very bad at customer service! I refused to be the blame for Delta Airlines messing up my flight plans because THEY oversold the flight. Not. My. Problem. Jerk. I verbally kicked his ass.

Later, when we got to Israel, we saw this story online and I had to laugh and wonder if that dude was the cause.

At any rate, we did get on the flight. They waited for us. This was somewhat more pleasant because it was smoother. Very little turbulence. It was longer though, of course. They fed us meals and they were actually really, really good for airline food. We had kosher meals of chicken and pasta and then turkey sandwiches. I got some old lady's unopened chicken as a second helping because I was starving! Airline food never tasted so good.

Unfortunately, we didn't move as much as we should have and both Michael and I came off the plane with very swollen legs. It was a bit scary but the swelling has gone down considerably.

Upon disembarking the flight, we went through immigration and then customs. All our bags a came in just fine, THANK G-D! I do believe this to be a first. We met up with Michael's uncle Mark after baggage claim and he took the two-ton bag Michael's mother had sent with us for Mark and the family. We then boarded a shuttle, as Mark had to return to work. This was about 3:30pm Israel time. Rainy Israel is a gorgeous sight. It is so green!

When we got to the neighborhood, it was hard to find the apartment and very, very cold. Michael walked up and down our street while I waited with the luggage ... and the cats. He found it but couldn't get in. I went upstairs and tried the code. It worked, we got in we were safe and we passed out! I woke a few times in the night, but as I said at the beginning of this post, things are good now for me. It's 8:30am now that I'm writing this portion and Michael is still asleep.

Our plans today are to go to the shuk, get some breakfast there (RUGALACH!) and do some shopping. Possibly, we shall go to the Kotel as well. I can see the Knesset from our bedroom window and there is a lovely view of Jerusalem in general. You may have noticed I didn't post any pictures yet. That is because they are still packed away and I am typing this under many blankets, wearing my footie pajamas. I hope to take photos today, so stay tuned for that.

In any case, hope all is well in galus and I'll write more soon.