24 HOURS IN LA HABANA, CUBA EVERYONE FALLS IN LOVE WITH HAVANA AND CUBA

How wonderful it is to be back in La Habana, Cuba.
I can proudly say and feel, I live in Havana, Cuba. I will upload pictures of my first 24 hours in la Habana and it has been nothing but a grand pleasure to the senses and a barrage of emotions.
These photos are from my arrival at Jose Marti International Airport until my arrival at my house in Vedado.

 The process of arrival and customs inspections have changed so dramatically in the last two years. I used to be anxious when passing through Immigration and Customs. Today the pleasant Border Control Officer with an unpleasant name of Yasser smiled and said  Welcome to Cuba and the Customs inspection of my cans of food was just cursory

 It was so good to see a colleague from work in Miami at the airport. Welcome to our Island, said He.

 These antique cars still plying the road remind us that we have arrived at the right place  La Habana of dreams and aspirations and desires 

 Arranging the pick up of someone from the airport is not easy, there are many commercial methods but it is lovely to be met by friends, but they have to find a car and petrol and driver to come and get you. This time I was met at the airport. A very coquettish woman at the Money Exchange changed my Euros to CUC (the tourist dollars of Cuba) and she asked me, do you have any chocolates for me?
Unfortunately  I did not

 At the Plaza de la Revolution, large portrait of CHE greets you and you feel welcome to CUBA

 This is where all the long distance buses arrive and it has a special atmosphere of arrival and departure, nothing is ever certain here. adding to the suspense of living in this island .

 I have seen these buildings hundreds of times but each time they appear fresh and feel good to make their acquaintance 

 You can genuinely claim that Cuba is one of the few countries in the world where the women are respected and have high status in the society. the above billboard says
You are more than just being ordered around

 The day of my arrival coincided with the founding of CDR the neighbourhood committes for the Defence of the Revolution and there were celebratory airs every where. The billboard above with young faces of the Revolution, the past two past presidents  Fidel and Raul

 It was good to arrive at the familiarity of the house.

The neighbours arrived promptly and set to work on the breakfast of eggs, juice, agua con gas and nice cup of cuban coffee 

 I had a packet of Jasmine Rice from Thailand which was a good addition

 I had asked my younger brother for some Israeli flags. Cubans admire the Israelis and what they have accomplished while the Government pays lip service to their Palestinian brothers. Israeli tourists and Israeli businessmen pump money into Cuban economy. Talk is cheap, but it does not improve the economy
Like in India and now in Iraq when people know about the innovations in Israel despite Hezbollah and Iran vouching to destroy it, they admire that little country. 

Very happy to be home and feel the genuie affections of the people here. Do not mistake the friendliness of Cubans for something else, they are genuinely warm people.

ISRAEL : A LOVE STORY

I have been lucky to visit Israel three times so far in 2018 and more importantly to be present there on 1 Tishrei 5779..the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Here is a photographic homage to this vibrant, innovative country, one of the more advanced countries in the world, despite the fact that the modern state of Israel is only 70 years old. Democracy, Nationalism, Desire to serve people as well as the world in general all are present. In this technological world, regardless of which part of the world you live in, you are either using some Israeli technology or innovation. Try to boycott Israeli inventions, and you would be living in the 19th Century!
here is a list of Israeli innovations!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Israeli_inventions_and_discoveries
It felt so good to be in Israel. I begin to understand some of the Israeli characteristics and behaviour, in the context of where they are and where they came from.
Unlike what you read in some of the newspapers, the interactions with Arabs living in Israel were pleasant and in Haifa you feel safer than you would in many American Cities!

 The Chances are that you would arrive in Tel Aviv around midnight or later. Interesting to watch the arrival information: many flights from Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe along with Turkey and Greece. (my flight from Athens to Tel Aviv was just one hour and half)

 I was waiting at the Arrivals area for a couple of hours before I caught a train to Haifa. It was very interesting to watch who was coming to Israel: Jews and Non-Jews alike. There is an increase in tourism from Asia, I could see Chinese, Indian and Korean tourists. Hainan Airlines just introduced the first non stop flight between Israel and China

 Israeli breakfasts come with a variety of salads and of course, it is all the food that I like.

A visit to Technion University which is like Harvard and MIT combined me of what I already believed in: Israel IS the start up nation and the hub of innovation for the ENTIRE world. A brief discussion with a Professor of Food Technology gave me some ideas of how to help the Native Americans with their Nutrition.

 Fresh fruits and vegetables are available fairly easily so most of the food consumed are freshly prepared.

 At every meal there would be fruits and vegetables and of course, most of the fruits and vegetables are seasonal and grown in Israel

 Right on the beach there are restaurants, very busy with people just shooting breeze (like the americans would say). Reminded me very much of St Kilda and Acland street.

 as usual, lots of vegetables and this one has a little bit more european orientation than the middle eastern one.

 Pita is so common here that all supermarkets are overflowing with them.

One of the many, many services to the older people is free gifts of newspapers to them at Petrol Stations. I am impressed with the medical care (which is free) to the population especially the older people. 

 abundant local vegetables, being prepared into special dishes for Rosh Hashonnah.

It was good to take advantage of pomegranates and in the arab quarter, one could drink freshly squeezed juice. It felt good after a nice falafel sandwich.

 How could one not be happy? 

 How do they do it ?

 There are lots of Arab restaurants, which is good as Jewish Restaurants are closed on Jewish Holidays and the place was full of regulars enjoying the Israeli cuisine

Haifa with its hilly geography is a good place to watch the sunsets over the mediterranean.

 The Israeli population is generally very health conscious. The beach is never far away and fully taken advantage of. there are herbs and spices galore available. Quite a few places to buy organic food supplies.

 Israel has culinary contributions from all parts of the world. Morocco and Tunisia has heavily contributed to the Israeli cuisine such as the one above, a fish dish influenced by Morocco.
Shakshuka influenced by Tunisian cuisine is now a staple breakfast dish in Israel and it is the face of Israeli cuisine in other countries

 You can see some of the dishes for the New Year Feast.

 My younger brother is an artist-chef and this is his preparation of a fruit place

 part of the cookbook library of my brother..He is a serious student of cooking 

 It was nice to see guava, made me think of my Isla Rica, Cuba.

 To introduce good foods to his children, my brother makes dishes such as above to which children are attracted. I did not see many Israeli children drinking coca-cola or eating french fries.

From Mount Carmel, one can have a bird's eye view of the bustling city of Haifa dn also what was its historic centre. Akko is in the distance and over the hills lie Syria and Lebanon to the North

 Who has the best Falafel in Wadi Nisnas? Of Course, Georg! The medical students at Technion even gave him a plaque

 George's Falafel has been around. The owner, behind, bought it from the founder and now runs it with the help of his sons.Very busy at any time of the day 

 A very tasty lamb dish influenced by Moroccan Jews

 These falafels are more than a meal. There is an Israeli Falafel joint in Marais in Paris, always with a line, with Israeli ambiance 

 Old fashioned barber shops always attract me .. reminded me of the ones in Old Habana.

Michelle Falafel is just across the street from George's, also equally busy. Next time, would taste falafel here and give you the verdict. 

So a stay in Israel is good for your body, your soul, your mind and needless to stay your stomach.

and you would say as you go back to your countries

The Future is HERE