A Journey to the Levant
We have invited a few Japanese friends and their children to celebrate Tanabata on our roof.
I hope everyone enjoyed it. It was a bit hot, but the children didn’t care. Maybe we should arrange a pool next time.
Photos attached (not of people, as I didn’t ask for their permission to post).
Just some photos of the octopus we cooked.
On the 5th of July, I went to see Blonde Redhead perform live in Hanger 11, Tel Aviv.
Summary: Disappointed. Completely agree with the review in Ynet (Hebrew).
The doors were opened at around 21:00. I guess i forgot what rock concerts are like in Tel Aviv, so I actually arrived at 21:10. Tickets were waiting in the counter. (200 NIS + 10 NIS commission, about 45$). Drank beer, and waited… and waited.
At about 22:00 Rockfour went on the stage, and wasted my time. I didn’t enjoy their show. I remember watching them about 5-6 years ago, and they were good. Maybe the stage/place was too big for them.
And then, I waited some more.
At 23:00 Blonde Redhead started their show… and my first impression was: “Hey, they use playback”. Guitars were live, Drums were live… but, they used playback for effects and additional instruments. WHY?
Their semi-live performance sounded exactly like their albums. I could just stay at home and listen to the CD. Could save me a lot of money and back ache. Stayed longer, enjoyed the songs from 23 and previous albums, including from “Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons”. Listened and swayed with the music when I had another revelation. They don’t speak. Kazu Makino said “Shalom” once, and one of the guys said: “Thank You”. Wow!
Left at midnight, about 1 hour before the show was over (according to Ynet).
One of the performers I have seen in Countdown Japan 06/07 was Salyu.
Salyu became famous when she portrayed the role of Lily Chou Chou in the very successful and acclaimed movie: “All about Lily Chou Chou” by Shunji Iwai.
She went on stage wearing a very funny and festive dress which the audience loved. When she started singing I was captivated.
She opened with a single from her new album “Terminal” to be released 2007.01.17. The song is “Tobira” and you can watch the PV on youtube:
Went to Countdown Japan 06/07 Rock Festival. Well, I went only on the 29th of December.
It was GREAT. Good music, great crowd.
I will try to review later some of the bands I have seen, but in the meantime just wanted to share some photos from the event:
Finally, my luggage has arrived last night. Unharmed, with all the content.
I have noticed the tag on the suitcase had the correct information:
AF272 flight on the 15th of December, which is the flight I was supposed to take after I missed my connection. So, what happened to my suitcase? I don’t know. I didn’t receive any information.
I now have to find out how to get my money back. I have spent more than 100$ on basic clothes/underwear.
I am not attempting to compete with Sylvain Bouchard.
It is just that last night we watched Ainori on TV. (Instead of waiting a few days, downloading, and watching on the computer).
We really enjoyed it.
Air France managed to destroy my trip to Japan.
Austrian Airlines flight was late out of Tel Aviv. I was sitting in the plane wishing I will make my connection to Paris, as I really didn’t want to stay in Vienna.
A few minutes before we landed I was notified that all connections were confirmed. I rushed to my gate only to find out the flight is delayed.
Again, stress, sitting in the plane wishing I can make the connection. About 10 minutes before we landed the stewardess notified that we will not arrive on time. However, just as we were on the way to gate we received another announcement. The connection to Tokyo is possible. I ran out of the plane. A ground team was waiting with a sign without my name on it. Although I checked-in 24 hours before the flight, I was not on the list. But, it didn’t matter as we were told a minute later that it is too late.
I spent the night in IBIS hotel next to the Airport. My flight was planned for the next day at 10:30 AM. I boarded the plane… YEAH… on my way to Japan.
If you think that my misfortune has ended, think again. My luggage didn’t arrive!
It is now 36 hours after I have landed, and still no news.
I am so angry and tired.
Thank you Air France for making my flight and arrival to Japan so miserable.
I am on my way to Japan.
Air France called me earlier today, and told me that my flight from TLV to CDG was delayed. Which means, I will miss my connection to Tokyo. (NRT).
I rushed to the airport, and Air France gave me alternative route to CDG. Austrian Airlines to Vienna, then another flight to CDG, which will allow me one hour connection to NRT.
Now, the mess doesn’t end. I forgot (and nobody reminded me) to mention the fact that I have a connection flight to NRT, therefore, my luggage will arrive to CDG and will wait for me on the belt.
Fortunately, on my way to the duty free I noticed that I made mistake, ran back to the Check-In counter, forced them to retrieve my luggage and re-tag it to NRT.
Now, I have to pray that my flight to Vienna will arrive on time, the flight from Vienna to CDG will arrive on time, and I will get to my flight to NRT. Who knows, maybe my luggage will arrive as well.
I had no time to argue with Air France. (They should pay for what they put me through) .I will do that on my way back or after I arrive to Israel.