The Saga Continues

Today two men are in my house putting up an awning for the balcony.  It was supposed to have been done three weeks ago, but no matter - it is now being done.  The men are from Colombia so I have a chance to speak Spanish, to our mutual surprise.  A man from Russia put together my sideboard from Ikea, an Ethiopian worked on my kitchen cupboard.   A very religious young man, side curls and all, came into my house to put together bedroom closets.  Pleasantly surprised that: 

a) he was working and not in a yeshiva

b) he worked in a woman's house 

The Yemenite man who fixed my shutters this morning explained that they were a mess because of the stray cats who claw their way into the homes.  This is the fault, he added, of the Russian and Ukrainian women workers who feed the cats against the rules.

And just to add that everyone of these workmen who entered my house kissed the mezuzah on the door as they entered.  They touch it with their right hand and bring it to their lips.

Yesterday I went for a neighbour's birthday lunch with three other women.  As we arrived the first was sitting outside drinking wine.  We joined her.  The 4th, who had reserved a table for us at 1, arrived late. She saw us sitting at the table and immediately shouted - "why here? I booked a table for inside. I hate these outside tables, and why are you already having a drink?" The drinker explained she had arrived early and it is very pleasant outside.  

"I hate these tables," said the one who had made the reservation. "Lets take the tables from the inside to the outside."

The waitress explained this cannot be done.  Eventually, after arguments and negotiations we remained outside and told the waitress to bring three more glasses of wine, quickly.

We began to order - is it a business lunch? - yes.

Can't we get an added discount for seniors? - no.

That's not OK, we eat here often - sorry, the waitress doesn't make up the rules

Bring the wine, why is it not here yet?

Wine was served.

Lunch was eaten.

Along came the bill, paid differently in Israel than in America.  The waiter brings the bill and the customer tells them to add a certain percentage for the tip.  A tip is added in this manner, or one can pay and leave cash on the table.

Three of us paid, treating the birthday woman after many protests  Then the bill was scrutinized, the waitress asked to the table along with the supervisor. Was the tip before or after the VAT. The supervisor explained that the cash machine automatically adds the VAT. He was then asked to divide the amount by three, while he stood at the table, then to add the percentage.  After he had done the math and explained the process numerous times, it appears the reservationist was satisfied.

So the above is a snapshot of life in the holy land ......... and still I wait for appointments, emails (programs have apparently stopped working in many offices). I could not sign on a medical insurance form so the person sending it asked if they could sign for me!

OK - yes, this is the way.