Time to leave later today. It’s been grey since we got here, but somehow it added to the charm of the place with Halloween and everything. X-files trees and stormy-like beaches 📷
We were told these little “coffee huts” are everywhere in gas stations here. I like the idea:
With Sinwar's death, time to move forward
Sinwar is dead, and Israel’s Netanyahu is offering a “pardon” for Hammas terrorists if they release the hostages. This is good, and I’m glad to see this statement in English, but it’s not enough.
Israel was never too good at explaining itself to the rest of the world, and the war in Gaza (and in Lebanon) is just another example. Many people do not understand the details, and some don’t even know why Israel went to war to begin with. Once again, Israel leads two steps in the direction of war and half a step in the direction of peace.
There’s no question: the hostages must be returned. But instead of waiting for whatever leaderless fractions remains of Hamas in Gaza to take the initiative, Israel should step in.
Sinwar is dead, and Hamas is in shambles. Gaza is a hip of rubble, with thousands dead and millions without a home. It’s time to stop the onslaught and step in with humanitarian aid. It’s time to call other Arab nations - and the US - to step in and help the Palestinians to get the freedom so many Americans and Europeans feel they deserve (I don’t believe the Palestinians in Gaza can care about freedom at this point; they are to concerned with surviving the next day). The Arab nations will fail and argue among themselves because they don’t care. They never did. The US might draw some plans to look good for the elections, with both sides having different versions. And Israel will pull up its sleeves: “Well, if no one’s gonna do it…” and get to work. Yes, while the hostages are still in the tunnels. While the world is still screaming about genocide. Israel can still maintain an army presence to protect a project like this while still looking for the hostages. One does not prevent the other.
This is the chance to move forward and show everyone another side to Israel. It’s the chance for Netanyahu to step forward and tell his blood-thirsty right-wing Ben Gvir and Smotrich monsters-ministers to put a sock in it. It’s time to show the Palestinians that Israel can offer a better alternative than Hamas ever could. It’s not that hard: the houses Israel will erect will not come with built-in tunnel entrances in children’s bedrooms, and the mosques will not come complete with weapons stockpiles in their basements.
Everyone will yell. It will look like an absolute shit show. But if Israel keeps at it, just like it kept with the war, something amazing will eventually happen. People will see that the only way to do something is to do something and not just talk about it. Hamas will be destroyed because it will stop having a reason to exist. And maybe, just maybe, after years of work with help from other nations that will slowly join, Palestine will be free, with support from everyone, including the Israelis right next door who won’t go anywhere - not the river, and not the sea.
On the beach, this quiet small town was bathing in the sun. 📷
A trip to Rosario Beach in the afternoon finally turned on the “vacation mode” switch in my mind. Walking the trails near the cliffs and being surrounded by quiet and nature, and not a single piece of trash in sight, it’s shocking. New York parks are so dirty 😔
A warm-up photo with my camera 📷
Breakfast is veggie lasagna with a glass of intense juice at a local French cafe. A walk with a fluffy dog is next on the agenda.
Note to self, again: don’t write long posts. It doesn’t work well, especially after not blogging for several days. Short posts already take enough time between writing, editing, uploading photos, checking links, and spreading the word. Long posts never see the light of day. Split ’em.
In Washington, it seems there are parks around every corner. A park for a walk. A park for sitting on a bench and relaxing. A park for you and your dog - and then a dog park inside that park as well. There’s even a spot for gnomes.
Fun times. 📷
I don’t know Bob yet, but this place smells nice 🥯and it is much cheaper than flying to NYC, for sure ☺️
I’m up. Way too early for Seattle, but normal for New York. I’m ready to make coffee and ready to work, jump on my emails, fill up my schedule, drop down to pushups.
I don’t understand this time off. I’m not sure I like it just yet. What is happening?
Extra money for priority boarding. Buy lunch on the plane if you want more than crackers and juice. Pay up if you want space so your knees don’t touch the seats in front of you. Faster WiFi that allows you to work is premium.
And ads. Ads everywhere. On the walls of the jetway, on the terminal top walls, when you have to see them as you slowly zigzag in line to the security check. Before movies. After movies. On brochures.
Services are crappy in advance, so you have to pay your way out of the imposed sub-minimum. Sad.