Shortly, I will get offline and finish packing. Tomorrow, at the charming hour of 4:30 am, I will take a cab to LAX. From there, a flight to Toronto, where I am scheduled to change planes to a flight to Israel.
And there, as they say, is the rub. Because at the moment, the Israeli airport -- like pretty much all Israeli government agencies -- is closed, due to a national strike.
Air Canada says that as of now, my flight is still scheduled. More definite information will be available at 8 am Eastern. That is, at 5 am my time, about when I arrive at the airport.
So I could end up stranded in Toronto (they would give me a hotel voucher, and try to get me on the next day's flight . . . like all the people on TODAY's flight, which was canceled).
Good vibes, prayers, and other attempts to ensure that my flight gets me to Israel as scheduled would be greatly appreciated!
[ September 27, 2004, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
...I've heard that Toronto is a nice place...
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
Wow! What's in Israel (for you I mean)?
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
rivka, would it help if I gave you some tzedakat mitzvah? Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Two aunts & their families, grandfather, brother&SIL&new nephew, many cousins, lots of friends.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Ela, if that's what it'll take, I'm covered -- but thanks. Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
Well have a safe trip. I'm pretty pro Israel.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Safe travels.
Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
I really hope you get there alright, without any trouble. Best of luck and safe travels and all that jazz!
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrap...
My dad called me about this a few hours ago, when I woke up this morning, and I got really worried! It was right before my big final, too, so I hope I did alright (I just finished).
But BEHATZLACHA rivka!! I hope everything works out!! I'll be crossing my fingers for the silly strike people to stop this nonsense AT ONCE!
(((((rivka)))))
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote: Ben Gurion International Airport has announced that it will resume flights, but this will take a couple of hours - and in the meanwhile, passengers are walking around the airport, unsure of what will be next. El Al is feverishly preparing a schedule of flights for this morning.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*mutter* But Air Canada says that as of an hour ago, Ben Gurion was still closed.
. . . so, any Canadian Hatrackers wanna come meet me? Posted by Chaeron (Member # 744) on :
Sure, but living in Vancouver, it's a hell of a drive. Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
<hugs and best of luck>
keep the blue side up, Rivka...
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I'm at the airport, all checked in and ready to go. Flight doesn't board for almost half an hour . . . so I decided to not go cold turkey quite yet.
Looks like I should be getting to Israel as scheduled!
[ September 22, 2004, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
(I'm going to get me a wireless laptop like rivka someday)....
Best wishes! Have a safe trip and give big hugs to Raia from us!
Farmgirl
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*cough* I'll get a laptop someday too.
Right now I'm paying by the minute at an airline kiosk.
. . . addicted? Why would you say that?
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Have a great trip!
Dagonee
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Well, Dave and I will be in Toronto in about three days. If you are still there, we can cheer you up.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
You should definately come to Toronto.
Although I have no means of travel except legs, so the airport is a little out of the question.
On the other hand, I have stayed in a Toronto Aiport hotel for free by Air Canada before. During the 98 Ice Storm.
We got free pizza, too!
Have a safe trip!
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Nu uh, no Toronto, she's comin' HERE!
(((((rivka))))) See you soon!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Well, Toronto gets me for another 45 minutes or so.
But since my flight out is on time (yay Air Canada!), that's about it.
And just for the record, I'm not addicted . . . I'm bored.
No, realy!
And the rates at the terminal here are much better than at LAX.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
So, I've been in Israel less than a week (although it feels longer), and have met Raia (YAY!) and plan to see her again tomorrow; have met another online friend and have plans to meet up with yet another; visited the Wall and a bit of the Old City; got lost at least 6 times (but it was fun . . . mostly); and contributed quite a bit to the Israeli economy.
Posted by JaimeBenlevy (Member # 6222) on :
Wow Rivka that's awesome, what other places do you plan to visit? Have a great trip!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Was (and will be again) in Kiryat Sefer; will also spend a few days with my cousins in Zichron Yakov (up north, not far from Haifa).
Posted by AmkaProblemka (Member # 6495) on :
That sounds incredibly fun. I'm glad you got to go.
Posted by newfoundlogic (Member # 3907) on :
You're lucky its late September. When I went it was late July. 120 degrees on Mount Masada! Although without humidity it felt cooler than 90 degree Florida.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
rivka! this is so exciting! keep sendng the postcards (grin) -
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
NFL, that's why when I climbed Masada in the summer, I went up at 4:30 in the morning, watched the sunrise, looked around for a little bit, and came down again!
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I've always wanted to go see Masada, since I saw the movie..... (reminds self to add that to list for when I'm retired)
Farmgirl
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Farmgirl, if you come visit me this year, I'll take you there. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Home again!
I've never been to Masada, although I believe I've passed by it in a car a few times.
And while it was far from 120 F, it got pretty hot while I was there. Darn heat wave!
I had a GREAT -- if far from restful -- trip. But it's nice to be home. Posted by tt&t (Member # 5600) on :
Yay home!
Yay for having an awesome trip!
(((((rivka)))))
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*sniff*
*pout*
(hopefully) Postcard???
C'mon! How was it! What was the best part? The hardest part? Stories! Give us stories! pretty please?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I'm planning on it, Shan. Between stuff I jotted on my Palm and stuff that's still loose in my head , I'll come up with something.
Probably next week, though.
[ October 06, 2004, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Welcome back! Glad you're safe and had a good trip.
Dagonee
Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
yay! welcome back!
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*Anxiously awaiting the stories rivka can tell, because traveling stories are awesome!*
![[Wall Bash]](graemlins/wallbash.gif)
![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Ela, if that's what it'll take, I'm covered -- but thanks. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[The Wave]](graemlins/thewave.gif)
![[Kiss]](graemlins/kiss.gif)
See you soon!