ONE TIME LIFE  EXPERIENCE

Enjoying Paris during the Olympic & Paralympics games.

10 September  2024

It  is the first time in life that we are in an Olympic & Paralympic city during games.

The opening ceremony, even watched on French TV, was amazing and very professional. 

The unique flame this year, using hot airballon, came also as a special surprise.

The same overwhelming show was offered during the opening ceremony of the
Paralympics games, when the delegations, including various disabled athletes,
were  marching from the Etoile to the Concorde.

How exciting and inspiring!

The show integrated the well known Obelisk of the Place de la Concorde in a
fabulous sound-and-light- show,  so inventive and beautiful!

Even if you didn't attend any of the events, you couldn't miss the atmosphere in the streets.

Ad hoc arenas were created within Paris and the suburbs, - like the huge area at the
Concorde square, or beach volleyball with sand in front of the Eiffel Tower. 

In the centre of the capital, like the one at the "Hotel de Ville", big screens were set up
as well as a mini-arena for people buying a fee to come in and sit on leveled benches,
imitating real stadiums.

Around, organized stands had been placed encouraging people to buy food and
drinks while spending a nice time eating, drinking and watching. 

The shouts of the French people supporting French athletes also contributed to the
special atmosphere. Altogether, it created a wonderful ambiance, attracting many
people from all nationalities and giving a chance to anyone to "feel" the games.

We were lucky to find tickets during the Paralympics to attend a final of swimming
event which included an Israeli sportswoman.

The event took place at the La Defence arena, an amazing place which included that
day, like every other day, over 30000 people.

It is hard  to share the emotions that englobed us and everybody around to see how
the sportspeople managed -and won for some- in spite of their handicaps. 

My  recommendation is that if you ever find yourself in a city during the Olympic
Games, do not miss at least one of the selections, preferably including a medal
distribution show, the winner's country flag and the anthem!

Los Angeles is your next opportunity for the Olympics....

-
                                                                               

                                           Hypocritical World

11 June 2024 
                                                               

Eight months have passed since October 7th, 2023, when Hamas invaded Israel,
killed, raped, burned, and kidnapped Israeli citizens. 

120 hostages are still held by Hamas, without us knowing if, or when,
they will be released.

How many of them are still alive? How many are pregnant?
How many, boys and girls are still under the strength of their rapists?

The Israeli army continues to look for the hostages in Gaza and simultaneously
destroy the rockets and missiles that Hamas still launches at Israel, including
the center region.

While preparing this post, the Israeli army in a heroic operation 
released 4 hostages.  

A war is never easy, and the Israeli army is trained to avoid as many injuries
as possible among the civilians of Gaza. 

Not easy for any army, but in this case, the Israeli soldiers have to deal with
an enemy,   Hamas, which hides and launches rockets from hospitals,
house of civilians and even conceal weapons within baby cots.

At the same time, the terror organization Hezbollah, which considers itself
a political party in Lebanon continues to send rockets and missiles
daily to the northern region of Israel and farther. 

However, the world, including the United Nations, headed by its Secretary-General 
Antonio Guterres and the International Court at The Haag, harshly blame
Israel for war crimes during the ongoing battles.

Surprisingly-or not- the U.N. didn't blame Iran, or take action against it, 
for launching 300 missiles to Israel on Apr 14th!

Luckily, Israel intercepted them all. What if it wouldn't have???
Would the U.N. and The Haag blame Iran for it?
I am sorry to tell you, I believe that they wouldn't!

500,000 civilians were killed in the war in Syria !! 5 million were killed 
in Kongo!  Any world protest? any demonstrations?

The real HUTZPA is that they want to compare the Hamas slaughter of October
to the fighting of Israel in Gaza! G. forbid!!!! 
I would despise my army if this was the case! We all would here... 

A comment for the global readers :

What would be YOUR country's reaction if it was facing such an invasion of monsters?

Each democratic country, not to mention the non-democratic ones,
would bomb and wipe out anywhere the invaders came from!

What would be YOUR reaction if something similar had happened around you:
neighbors, sisters, wives, or children, not to talk about babies.

How would you react then, if your army came out to ensure your
and everyone's security?! 

There are many examples from the past in  Europe, the Middle East,
the Far East, where countries deliberately killed civilians without hesitation.

Do you remember a single protest or action raised by the United Nations or the world???

Surprisingly, not, only when Israel defends itself and its citizens,
voices come up to take action against us! 

Do you wonder WHY ???

I do not!

                                     10 days in JAPAN

30 April 2024 

We just completed a 10-day tour in Japan. What a fascinating experience!
The people, their behavior towards other people, their efficiency,
hence, a different world.

We visited Tokyo, Hakone, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo again before
our return flight.

We checked 2 options to explore Japan: one was to join an organized tour, and 
the second to travel independently where you can plan and control your schedule.

We decided that the second option fit us better and found an adviser,
an expert in Japanese tourism.

Niv Levy, owner of a company called "Ish- Haolam" ("The man of the world")
who built for us a plan for the 10 days we had available. 

I recommend very much his services (and I am not getting any commission.... 🙂).

The package included hotel bookings, transfers, private tours,
rails, and any service required, including a list of tips for our free days. 

Everything was according to the plan, not a single bug.

Here are some tips that might be useful 

1. If possible, take 2 weeks to visit Japan, 10 days is too short but
we couldn't make it longer.

2. In the hotel (especially if you arrive late) be aware of having some goodies
in your bags as no food is served after 21:30, even at the bar.
Also, note about breakfast, it ended between 0930-1000.

3. Buy a few adapters for all your electric items: sockets are different there.

4. If your time is short, pick up taxis to move from one place to another.
They can easily be found and their fares are quite reasonable!

5. If a dinner buffet is offered at the hotel, choose the mix - Japanese and Western 

6. A piece of advice that we received at some point in our plan was to ship your bags (service provided by hotels) to the last hotel on the itinerary.

it lets you free to visit places without taking your suitcases and also
avoid carrying them on the bullet train, which has only reduced space to store luggage.

Here are some highlights that we considered attractive and interesting
(there are more, of course):

Tokyo 

---------
1. Senso-Ji (*JI* means temple) and Nakamise market leading to the temple. 

2. Ueno Park -including the zoo in particular if you travel with young
children or youngsters.

3. Odaiba Island- an unusual place in a city like Tokyo.
You can enjoy the monorail to get there.

Hakone

------------ 
1.Sail on the Ashi Lake and take the cable-car to the "Boiling Valley".

2.Enjoy the open Sculptures museum,  a must if you want to enjoy art
in the middle of a huge and beautiful park. (70,000 sqm) 

Kyoto

---------
1.Following temples we recommend : 

Kinkaku (the gold one ) -  Fushimi - Sanjusangen - Kiyomizo.

2.The bamboo path - an amazing place! You follow a path that reaches
a temple, surrounded by huge bamboo trees.

3. The amazing gardens of Ginkaku temple 

Nara 

--------

1.Todai temple- the biggest Buddha in the world

2.The deer, walking around you freely around the temple, asking to be fed.

Osaka

----------

1.Umeda Sky Tower - great view of Osaka from the top.

2.Osaka Castle 

There is a lot more to say about Japan. I am sure you can plan explore
and enjoy , or if it is your first time in Japan, be assisted by
Niv if you choose to. 

To make this story short.... Definitely consider Japan your next destination!

And during your stay, remember this saying:

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do!"

Even more in Japan.....

   First Time surgery

29 February 2024.

After many years (lucky me), for the first time, I had to be hospitalized for surgery.

During my annual medical check this time, in addition to the regular tests,
I had to do a colonoscopy check, a must for everyone over 50. 

As a consequence of this check which wasn't satisfying, it was decided that
I had to go through colon surgery.

Luckily, the surgery took place at the Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan,
categorized by the Newsweek journal to be among the top 10 World's best
hospitals in the world, and reached the 9th on the list this year. (announced yesterday) 

My surgeon, Dr. Lior Segev, specializes in colon surgeries, is a
Senior doctor in Sheba performed the surgery, together with his team.
It lasted a few hours and included robotic tools.

The personal attitude of Dr. Segev as well as his high motivation for his job didn't
stop after the surgery was over... It continued during the 4 days of my stay in
the surgical department and contributed a lot to my tranquility of mind and recovery.

All the team at the hospital (Surgery Department C ) before and after the
surgery were amazing, polite, willing to listen, and professionally perform their duty.

No wonder Sheba gained such a worldwide rank.

My conclusions for today are as follows:

1. Do not neglect your health!
   
   
2. Get into the habit of having a yearly medical check!
   
   
3. Every few years, a colonoscopy check is crucial for the early
   discovery of colon issues.
   Any other kind of test will not provide such an acute result.
   
   
4. If needed, make sure to get diagnosed by a recommended doctor
   and choose the hospital accordingly.
   
   It is already 2 weeks after the surgery and I am feeling well,
   almost back to normal behavior, waiting to start again my fitness training.

Last but not least: 

I wish you all good health!!!

25 November 2023   

Update 15  December   - 70 Days since 07 October - see the last section 


Update  14 Jan 2024    - 100 Days since the Black Saturday -  07 Oct 2023 


                                                 Bring Them *Now*! 


See below - 14 Jan 2024 

50 Days during the war

Since Oct 7th,2023 called “The Black Saturday”, when the horrifying massacre conducted by
Hamas-ISSIS was performed, we are at war.

1400  people were murdered and 240 kidnapped, including foreign workers.

Israel then started to fight to stop the ongoing rockets sent from Gaza. 

This included entering Gaza and searching for the hostages.

The rockets were sent from Gaza to villages and cities in the south but were not limited to that area.

Cities in the center, such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and others, were targeted too, causing people
to hide in shelters.

140000 people from the South had to be evacuated to the center due to the heavy number of rockets.

This period was very challenging, including the sorrow for the families who had seen their children, siblings,
parents and grandparents shot in front of them, the anxiety for the hostages, and great concern for the
soldiers fighting in Gaza including 300,000 reservists.

I decided to start volunteering, like so many others, at an organization called " Brothers in Arms" which
established a huge logistic centre in Tel Aviv, to assist all those residents of the South who were evacuated
immediately on October 7th, leaving all belongings behind them. 

At the same time villages and cities in the north of Israel were evacuated too due to rockets from Lebanon. 

Very annoying and disturbing, worldwide organisations like the Global Women's Organization, UNICEF,
to name primarily those two, did not condemn what happened that day, as women were raped
more than once and then killed young children who saw, as well as their parents and others killed
in front of their eyes when they and others were taken as hostages.

A 3 1/2-year-old is being kept, with no family members, in captivity….

Isn’t it enough to make their voices heard? My question goes as well to the Red Cross who didn’t
do anything to force and obtain to visit the hostages! What a frustration for Israel!

     SUCH A WORLD OF HYPOCRISY!!!!!

At some point during the war, ongoing discussions were held by various countries and Israel
about releasing the hostages. 

On November 23rd, a partial agreement was reached to release 50 hostages.

The temporary ceasefire started on November  24th at 7:00 am and at 4 pm that day began a long but very
organized delivery of 13 Israeli hostages and 11 foreign workers.

Israel is paying a heavy price for it, as Hamas terrorists held in Israeli prisons were returned
to the south of Gaza. 

This has been the first phase of the plan to release our hostages and it is to be repeated in the
coming 4 days.

For those of you who are not aware, civilians are not supposed to be taken
as war hostages! Did you hear officials of any country shouting against it?!

The main question now are what will be the fate of the remaining hostages
kept in the tunnels of Gaza?

Are the 4 next days going to be as smooth as the first one?
What is their physical and mental health? For how long is the ceasefire going to remain?

I guess that the answers will come very soon.

Update 15  Dec 


106  hostages including children were released during the ceasefire,
80 Israelis and 26 foreign workers.

Still left 130 Israelis and 11 foreigners,  116 men and 19 women.

The process of releasing hostages was stopped as Hamas refused to follow 
the list of hostages according to the agreement. 

War continued to reach the location of the hostages and release them.
446 soldiers were killed since the Israeli army started this operation. 

All will be remembered by all of us. 

  let's hope that my next post will have good news about our hostages 

Update 14 Jan 2024 

In my last post from Dec 15th, I was hoping to have some good news by now

Unfortunately, there is no change for the better.

Still, 136 hostages are held by Hamas in horrible conditions, with zero or minimal
supply of medicines.

Some of them hardly get any food and are subject to degradation and despicable treatments. 

And yet, after 100 days, they're still there and nothing is settled for their return.
Do they have the strength to go on?  How?!

The war in Gaza continues(since 27.10.2023) and until now 188 soldiers have been killed.
A total of 521 soldiers, women, and men were killed since 07 October.

Israel, with the involvement of other countries, is seeking an agreement to
release the hostages, but without any result until today. 

It is our top priority to see all hostages back home!

Everyone in our county keeps hoping that it will be fulfilled soon...

It Is a must!  As soon as possible! *NOW*!

17 Oct 2023 

October 7th, 2023 will be remembered by all Israelis as the " BLACK SATURDAY. " 
 

At 06:30am that day, Hamas terrorists -over 1500- invaded our country from the Gaza strip, into the Israeli neighborhood

mainly populated by kibbutz people but also two small cities.

They raped again and again, they slaughtered killed and also kidnapped (as known today, close to 200 persons some badly injured)
without discernment: babies, children, youngsters, adults and elderly  citizens from the villages and cities,
not to talk about family pets.

They targeted a music, nature festival which attracted some 3000 youngsters. Those came to enjoy music with family
members and friends. It wasn’t just “by chance” that the terrorists fell on them; they had it all programmed.

Hamas behaviour is worse than  what was known of the ISIS and Al Qaeda organizations’.

It took a while until the army got involved. Meanwhile, the citizens on the kibbutzim and cities near the border
tried to protect  and defend their families and themselves. The media interviewed some of those who managed to make it.
There are some really  heroic stories.

A week after, Israel face over 1300 casualties, close to 3000 wounded, and over 200 kidnapped & missing people. 

An encouraging point after this devastating event is the ongoing and warm support that we receive from the world.

I personally  received a lot of emails and Whats App messages from friends and colleagues all over the world. 

I THANK YOU ALL for your concern! It helped me much!

A positive point,  internally and externally, has been the creation of many civilian organizations who volunteer
and assist so many people who were hurt and so many  that had lost their homes and belongings
for an unknown but surely long period. 

The war continues; when it is over, Israel will need to investigate why no information was received
about the terrorists invasion.

 We all are still under shock. It will take a very long time to recover and it will never be a complete recovery.

Nevertheless, we are strong and we will overcome and move on!

Normandy Topics 

01 June
------------
Being in Paris for many times, some bistros, are our favourites
and I would like to share with you .

All recommendations  related to lunches, which in most cases,
have a fixed menu allowing some choices. 

1. Triadou

This bistro was opened 87 years ago.

It  is located in the 8th area district of Paris , close to the
Gallerie Lafayett shop , Haussman Blv. 80th . 

Though the menu was suppressed at post-covid reopening ,
there still is a "dish of the day".

The food is tasty as used to be , the staff is  friendly, efficient
and speak English .

A meal for 2, which consists of three  dishes and  including one beer (6.50),
will cost 87 Euro.

We keep returning to this bistro when we are in the area, at least one time 
during our stay.

There is no need to book unless you are five people or more , but 
make sure to avoid the peak time between 12:30 and 13:30.

The last time that we ate there was in March 2023 

Here is the link which you can click :

https://triadou-haussmann.fr/en

2. Bistro Les Canaille in the Pigalle area.

This bistro is located in the 9th district of Paris , 25 Rue la Bruyère.

 Ensure you get to the right place as more than one restaurants are located 
at this number . 

Last March , we enjoyed the fixed menu :

37 Euro for a starter and main dish  or main dish and dessert .
For a three dishes meal , the price was 43 Euro. A glass of wine was 7 euros.

This is more a chef restaurant than a typical bistro .
The food is excellent , and I highly recommended this place. 

Here is the link which you can click:

https://restaurantlescanailles.fr/en-salle

3. Bistro Chez  Troquette

I recommend this bistro when you visit  the Attelier de lumieres before or 
after seeing the exhibition .

The locationd is in the 11th district, 10 minutes walk from the Attelier 
and a very reasonable price. 

The address is : 1 Rue Saint-Maur

Half a year ago the main dish would cost 15.50 Euros, and a glass of beer 4.20 Euro.

For a  meal with 2 starters, 2 main , one dessert and one beer ,
we paid 55 Euro which was more than reasonable.

Here is the link which you can click : 

https://www.chez-troquette.com

4.Le Relais de L'entrecôte

Last but not least.....

My recommendation goes to the branch in the Saint Germain area ,in the 6th district
of Paris, 20 Rue Saint Benoît.

The Entrecote is famous to many around the world for many years.
Here are some points for those that haven't been aware until now. 

First , there is no possibilities of advance bookings .

If you come for lunch, arrive 20 minutes before the time you wish to eat.

(it opens at noon sharp and is on a first come first serve basis ) 

to avoid long queue.

The same applies for the evenings.

As a  starter you get a lettuce salade with vinaigrette and for your main dish, 
an entrecote steak accompanied with thin chips.

The waitress will split your part in two , the second part remains on an heating plate 
and will be served to you 10-15 minutes later so that your food remains warm.

 
We paid 27.60 Euro . Provided that you want the house wine and a dessert 

you will add respectively 5 Euro and more or less 8 euro.

 My desseret recommendation is the Vacherin....... amazing .

The high quality of the dishes is being maintained for years.

Particulary the unique steak sauce which recipe is kept secret until today,

and the chips are the best ever.

Our last  meal was in March  2023.

Here is the link which you can click : 

https://www.relaisentrecote.fr/?page_id=396&lang=fr_FR

Feel free to raise any questions you might have on the subject 
at yacov.kopelovitz@gmail.com 
or to comment after your visit to any of those bistros or others 

Touring in Dubai

---------------------------------------------

25  Feb 2023

We completed last month a tour of six days in impressive Dubai. 

Further down, you will find my thoughts and advice for you, future visitors, based on my experience.

As an Israeli, it raised a lot of emotions to visit an Arab country.
The last time I did so, was 26 years ago to Morocco…

Let’s start with this important recommendation:try to come for a week, no less, and include Abu Dhabi,
no less impressive- another Emirate close to Dubai (1 hour and half  travel at most by car) and enjoy it as well.

If you wish to, due to the very nice weather at this period, you can allow yourself a
half day rest at the pool or the beach. 

Following below are some highlights which we personally enjoyed and found interesting.

1.Burj Khalifa 

The highest building in the world, amazing monument which provide a view of all Dubai.

The access to it is through the mall of the same name, huge and worth a visit.

I suggest to visit it late afternoon, so that at 6pm you will attend a great fountain show
in front of the Tower. 

2.Dubai Aquarium & under water zoo

This is located inside that same mall, so combine it in your visit.

As everything else in Dubai, this is also huge and impressive.

3.The Museum of Future

It opened its doors last year and is unique of the kind. You do need two hours to get 

an idea and I suggest not to book another attraction immediately after, as queues are long
even if you have tickets and you might be delayed.

4.The Miracle Flower Garden 

Another attraction with a visit at this park which has a unique design.
Allow yourself an hour to one and a half hour.

5.The Dubai Frame

Impressive, this building is built like a frame.

When you get to the top from one side, you cross a huge corridor which floor is made of (unbreakable) glass,
to reach the second side of the frame.

This corridor (the horizontal and upper part of this incredible piece of art), let you enjoy a unique view of Dubai,
top to bottom.
Mostly impressive, I admit it is even a bit scary, if you think at which height you are and on which material you walk…..glass…

6.The Palm Jumeirah Island 

This attractive area forming the shape of a palm leaf in the sea water, mostly touristic,
with  its sumptuous hotels (Atlantic) and many restaurants, is a famous holiday resort that have to been seen.

A monorail can take you there; an other incredible experience of Dubai’s wonders.

More attractions are waiting for you, including  the various markets around,

Al Fahidi historical neighborhood.

The Global Village, the desert safari including sand motorbiking, food, musicians and dancers.

All are worth a visit, you  just need to plan your priorities.

There are 3 ways to visit Dubai : 

with an organized group, touring by yourself or use the service of a local travel guide .

We preferred the 3rd option, a professional and pleasant  travel guide (Regina)  who prepared a plan
according to our preferences and was our guide  during the 4 days of our visit.
This is also what I recommend.

We had a great time and Regina was one of the reasons.

If you want more details please email me - yacov.kopelovitz@gmail.com 

For more posts - www.ykopel.com