Great hugs!!!!

Fiston

Emmy

 

This adventurous summer - put a period on this one

 24 hours traveling!  I feel like I'm in a fog. Where is my beautiful sunrise? I did not hear the rooster crow either.:(

Sunday was my last day. It was funday - so out came the pickup sticks and the jacks.  Ezra

Yves, me,Patrick and Ezra

Passy

Emmy

Olivier - Babysitter extraordinaire 

Belgian waffle and super coffee

, from the Shabbat dinner, came and had a ball! He danced with the kids and mingled with everyone. I told him he would "fall in love" with Minleaps as I did 5b years ago.  I hope he will return.  I read beautiful letters from the kids and left knowing I would be back.  I had a month of stressless joy. Teaching, dancing, eating cabbage and beans- what could be better.  I know Olivier loves me but he did not have to share his cold! lol yes I came back with a nasty cold. I'm sure people on the plane were unhappy since I did not have a mask. 

The security at the airport is weird. I forgot we had done it before.  We all had to get out of the car, leave bags inside and car went through this thing that looked like a car wash. Then the dogs are sniffing the car, and we go through detectors. If that was Newark or JFK  you would be waiting hours to get through!

The first trip to Brussels was 10 hours. But I was glad to be in Brussels so I could get my waffles and chocolate.  The 7 hours to NJ were long.  I got picked up Global entry is great, no waiting for passport control.  I did have to wait for my bag.  I got picked up and came home to a hot empty house.I showered, took a sleeping pill, and was in bed by 4:30, pm!  Woke up t 1 am hungry and made toast.  Then stayed up until 4 am and finally fell back to sleep.  It feels strange.

Doing laundry now and ordered groceries- certainly, two things that I am grateful for,  I read the beautiful notes from the kids, looked at photos and am actually proud of myself for going solo on this trip. I hope I was able to accomplish what Rebecca hoped I would.  So I reflect on this amazing summer. Israel also was an amazing experience, seeing my friends Zoe and Jakub and my relatives. Today few flights are going to Israel as war seems imminent.  So as I start to unwind I realize how lucky I am to have many wonderful people in my life and to feel like maybe I do make a difference.  I also have Ross and Jennie and grandkids.... AND I AM RETIRED !!!!!!!

What a day and איזו שבת יפה!

What a day and what a beautiful shabbat.  The  celebration  started late like Rwandan time lol. Come to think of it like Israeli time. Salama dressed me in traditional garb and all the girls were making up like all girls do. Finally it began with holding jars representing  agriculture and bounty.  Traditional dancing, speeches about Mindleaps and my attempt at speaking in Kirawandan which I had practiced  all night. The. Our Sof Shauva dance followes by traditional foods. I got a bit worried at this point eating unfamilar foods but I seem to be ok. After all the this I changed to a modest dress and Emmy, Raymond, Mayuya and I we t to Chabad. I never met Rabbi Chaim Bar Sela before and his now three children and lovely wife. He was so welcoming  and the guys were included and all waa explained. Other guests was a young guy from Israel traveling  Africa, a young Orthoxox .omsi. couple a.so volunteers  and some regulars. It's still daunting to meet Jews living here. They all expressed their love for this country. The food was wonderful especially  after hummus  and Challah. Which the guys loved. Alcohol flowed and conversation was froth with depth and joy.  One of the guests was also a Cantor so the shabbat servj e was extra special.  I forgot the touching speech  the students made for me and they write a lovely touching poem. Assouma insisted on taking off her bracelet and giving it to me. I cant be,I've I go home tomorrow