CRASHING A SEDER IN CAPE TOWN

Question of the moment:  Is one technically crashing a seder (or any other gathering) if one asks to be invited?  In other words, if one solicits an invitation to something, is that considered crashing? You be the judge, but that is how we ended up at the Cape Town home of phenomenal hosts and brand-new acquaintances Adele & Raymond Klitzner.  

 

From the moment our dates were set for this our African journey, I became somewhat of a pest by asking everyone I thought could be of help:  Can you help me find a home in Cape Town where we can have first seder? Going to a synagogue would not be the same; it is hardly an intimate experience when one KNOWS the community, so walking in as strangers was not appealing. Plus the opportunity to interact with a small group to experience our Jewish traditions half a world away was something we knew we would savor.  

With our amazing hosts

Ever since I took over the reins of my family's Seder, I have always included "strays" -- people who want to observe but have no where to go, plus many non-Jews interested in the holiday (they always ask to come back). The fact that Passover is our most widely-observed holiday might come as a surprise to some.  Suffice it to say, a good guess would be Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), or certainly Hanukkah. But it is Passover where more people come together to celebrate the Jews' liberation out of Eqypt into freedom.

The path that led us to this home was the result of Jewish geography at its best:  our clergy's wife/wonderful friend connected us with an LA resident/Cape Town transplant (their sons are great friends and schoolmates) who connected us with her dear Cape Town friend/now host.  We immediately began emailing.  She:  "Take a cab or Uber from your hotel (15 minutes away) and my sister will give you a ride back!"  At that point we hadn't even met ...

My biggest concern was the fact that we were arriving the morning of the Seder after 36 hours of travel.  What if I fell asleep at the table or, worse yet, the hubby did and started snoring?  Turns out he wasn't the only one prone to occasional head nodding during the four-hour evening. Nevertheless, after arriving, unwinding, cleaning up and armed with See's Candies packed from home (what else does one bring??), we were off to the Camps Bay area of Cape Town.

One of the family doggies -- just a love!

The evening exceeded all expectations.  Yes, four hours is about twice the length of our own seder, including the time it takes us to eat.  But this experience was so much fun, complete with wonderful table decorations:  frogs (everywhere), masks, sunglasses and a variety of the traditional Haggadah -- the prayer booked used for this occasion.  Since I was not able to be with my own sisters, I was happy that Adele's were there plus her beautiful mom with whom our daughter Hannah shares the same name (and spelling). This was among the many reasons to feel at home. We were warmly welcomed into this very lively group of 22 and host Raymond did a phenomenal job of leading the seder. If I could import him one time to LA, it would be an honor. Neither the hubby nor I read or speak Hebrew, but we were able to follow along and participate quite well. I especially appreciated their allowing me to take photos to be able to remember it all.

	Traditional chicken soup with matzoh balls; flattened and fried matzoh balls (above); dinner is served at left, including chicken, brisket, potatoes and atypical (for our home) -- roasted pumpkin and the meat at front is tongue.

Our takeaway can simply be put this way:  it is a remarkable thing to be so very far away from home and yet feel a kinship and common thread by virtue of traditions observed and passed along through the generations.  Thank you to the Klitzners from the bottom of our respective hearts for sharing their home, friends and family with a couple of wandering Jews.

OPENING DAY, BABY!

Baseball is back! Yes, I know the season started a week ago, but the Boys in Blue had away games until yesterday.  I haven't missed an Opening Day at Dodger Stadium for years and years.  Remarkable? Only if you consider I paid ZERO attention to the sport until I met the hubby .. in fact, when he "informed" me baseball would be a big part of our life together, my response was likely "ugh" or "seriously??"  I am a true convert; in fact, I watch games even when he is not around.  I have been to a total of 35 MLB stadiums (counting both old and new parks) -- PLUS attended games in both Tokyo and Seoul! How is that for a seriously converted fan???

  

What's that you say??? Boring ... zzzzzzzz.  I will let you in on my secret to sitting through about 18 Dodger games each year, plus whatever post season there might be (hey, anything's possible!).  Ready? Bring reading. That is my saving grace.  I can watch the game but still get a lot done between innings or pitching changes. Unless we are entertaining guests and that might be construed as rudeness, I show up with books, magazines, sometimes a tablet plus my cell phone (with back-up battery).  Even if I am immersed in something, the minute I hear the crack of the bat I can instantly look up and not miss anything.  It is a beautiful system.

     

My other secret weapon is having EDIBLE food at the game, which usually requires bringing my own. The Dodger organization is pretty good, but the hot dogs just stink -- even though they outsell every other MLB park.  Ugh.  At least last season, we got Jeff's Gourmet Sausage way out in right field.  Hot, snappy, fresh grilled and Kosher (which means a lot to many at the park), plus downright delicious.  But you could easily miss a full inning making the trip there and back.  I just find somewhere to sit by a monitor and enjoy my dog before heading back to my seat..

For this year's home opener, the Dodgers began what will most certainly be their year-long tribute to the great Vin Scully who retires at the end of the season. Instead of the traditional first pitch, the pre-game festivities announced Dodger royalty who proceeded to the plate, including Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hersheiser, Don Newcombe, Hank Aaron (Vinny called his record-setting home run), the inimitable Sandy Koufax along with the current-day Sandy, aka Clayton Kershaw, Maury Wills, Tommy Lasorda, and, of course, Vinny.  Sandy and Vinny hugging in the photo below is an image for the ages.  A memorable day, save for the final score ... but it's a very long season.

         

I've written before about not traveling during the summer when everything is crowded, with prices higher and the hot weather, but seeing various stadiums would require setting those challenges aside.  A few of the stadiums I've yet to see:  St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, the new Cincinnati and Pittsburgh could all be done on a strategic driving trip.        

 

Starting at St. Louis (1), then Cincinnati (2),                    Detroit (3),   Cleveland (4) and Pittsburgh (5)

Also synonymous with April?  The Final Four, Easter and Passover (usually), the end of tax season, a big trip somewhere, spring flowers, and baseball ... what a great time of year all around!

PLANNING A TRIP TO AFRICA

I am an adept travel planner -- both for myself and for clients -- and likewise undaunted by it.  The hubby and I tackle fairly ambitious itineraries for three weeks each spring, and I do all the planning.  None of these trips are with groups nor are they via cruise ships, and many involve driving wherever we go.  But when it came to planning the upcoming trip to Africa, I'll admit I needed to call in the heavy artillery.  How does one even begin to decide where to go on this massive continent with 54 countries?  Obviously one can rule out those on the travel advisory/warning lists, but that still leaves a huge number of countries offering safaris and destinations friendly to tourists.   Alas, what to do.  Forthwith, my step-by-step ...  First, who do you know that's been to Africa who travels in a similar manner to yours?  Whenever I encountered someone I knew who had been, I did some brain-picking:  Where did you go?  How long?  What time of year?  Did you use a travel company?  Likes and dislikes? How did you fly there?  But - and this is a big but - as with anything you can spend all your time collecting information that does nothing more than serve to be confusing.  Outline a basic framework and stick to it!  Don't be susceptible to constantly changing your mind by adding yet another piece of info.  Through trusted contacts (beginning in 2014) I was referred to three invaluable resources:  DK Grand Safaris, African Travel Resources and the company ultimately chosen: andBeyond.  From there I was on my way.  Note, like getting to Africa itself from Los Angeles (28 to 30+ hours or more), this is not a short process ..  Once you decide on who you are going to work with, narrow down your choice of countries to a few and then go deep into finding out which work best for your particular goals.  A big one is the time of year you want to or can travel, because heavy rains can play a big part.  Obviously cost is another big one ... and this is not a budget destination for sure.   Another key point is determining how to get to where you are going.  I am a strategic, long-range planner regarding award seats with a pretty great track record.  Many times the itinerary is planned based on the best air and then settling on the ground game, so to speak.  We are flying through London and then south to Cape Town as our starting point; coming home is from Johannesburg to Hong Kong for a completely different experience.  Options are key and I must give kudos to the folks at American Airlines for their help.   The potential downside to booking far in advance are the schedule changes. About six weeks out, I was reviewing our seat assignments (about which I am admittedly obsessed).  I couldn't access some info online so I called American and spent a good hour on the phone.  One flight had been changed, and I was concerned that any delay from our departure (not exactly a long-shot) would result in a missed connection with a domino effect.  I had them change us to an earlier flight which added a good connection cushion.  Had I not called ...! The takeaway is to reconfirm all your booking details!  Well worth the investment of time. In a little over two weeks, the hubby and I will be heading to Africa having been vaccinated, equipped with copious amounts bug repellent, stocked with extra camera batteries, neutral colored clothing, duffel bags, no jewelry, and a sense of adventure. Every person I spoke to who has been to this part of the world absolutely raved about the experience.  So I look forward to sharing my stories with you ...  Are you thinking about going somewhere but are stuck getting started? Do you need some ideas and/or expertise in planning your next adventure?   Instead of spending your valuable time, send me an email (travelwithterib@gmail.com) and let's see how I can help you!