Tel Aviv - Day Three

Okay, today I'm tired. It's not jet-lag tired, though, so I think I really beat the big JL this time. Being tired is actually a bonus - the more sleep I get on the plane, the better I'll feel when I get home.

I'm kind of sorry to be leaving our new Israeli friends after such a short time - they were incredibly warm and friendly, in addition to being great technical partners. I think the future holds some great things. We had lunch at a Hummus place that looked about as seedy as a Mission taco stand. It was but the best Hummus I've ever had, hands down. The Israeli way to eat Hummus is in a big bowl with Fu'ul (beans), pickled vegetables, an egg and lots of oil. Fan-freakin'-tastic.

After the day wrapped up we headed out for a brief dinner and then off to the airport. We arrived around 7:15 for a midnight flight - a little early, you say? Well, yes, but not as much as you might expect. The checkin counters weren't open yet, so we partook of the free wireless internet access for an hour or so until the counters opened.

Thus began our security experience. Getting from the street in front of the airport to the gate involves no less than nine checkpoints:

1. When we arrived, we were questioned by a guard outside the front door of the airport.
2. To get in line for the ticket counter, we were questioned, our passports and bags stickered, then directed to a bag scanner. (I'm carrying two laptops, both needing to be pulled out and scanned separately.)
3. Once we were scanned, each bag was tagged with a bar coded sticker. I foolishly reassembled my bags at this point.
4. Next we were directed to a counter where our bags were disassembled and swabbed. Anything electric needed special attention. (two laptops with power adapters and an airline adapter. game boy. digital camera. power converters. electrc shaver. And chargers, many chargers.) The stickers on each bag had to be scanned (hence it being foolish to reassemble my bags.)
5. Thoroughly stickered and searched, we proceeded to the ticket counter to check in. Aisle seat with power, baby.
6. After the ticket counter, we proceeded to a small shopping arcade where I got a lovely souvenir for Mel. (Betcha can't guess, dear!) To get to te gates, needed to pass through another guard station where they checked our tickets and passports.
7. Next up was another full security station, not three feet from the ticket check. All bags out again. (Two laptops.) I foolishly trusted the guard about leaving my shoes on. Beep goes the metal detector, off come the shoes. My various pieces of luggage take up the entire metal table after the conveyor belt, and one laptop is sitting on top of the cage that protects the exit of the scanner. Reassembly takes some time after this one.
8. Hey look! Passport control! Ticket, passport and exit papers, a few questions - nothing I haven't heard three times in the last half hour.
9. After passport control, a nice woman (side note: everyone employed by airport security is a beautiful, friendly woman between the ages of 21 and 28. Very effective at diffusing the situation, we thought - how could you get angry at them? They were cute!) checks our tickets one last time, and we're through!

Yow. Anyway, I'm about to board the plane to come home - I'll probably be pretty quiet for a few days while I recuperate. But then you're all used to that.