I Miss Old People

There are so many cute old people here. I was waiting for the bus yesterday, making small talk with the Russian armed guard* who was patrolling the stop and these lovely adorable old people were sitting next to me. Small, crooked, chitty chatting. Waitin for the bus on a chilly afternoon. One wrinkly brown one with a kippah was particularly adorable, smiling after every other word, dare I say flirting with the looker in the fancy sunglasses. My hands were clutching various plastic bags full of persimmons, almonds and dates, so I couldn't take a photo.

Then I saw the cutest man last night at a bar. Went out with Yossi on our weekly date-- this time we had plans to argue about America, but instead we talked about how I exist in a bubble and its only charming when I realize and acknowledge my bubble... hm... Anyway, we finally found a good place to sit. Tel Avivis have no patience for Jerusalem, they think its stupid, backward, unchic, etc. And sometimes they're right -- usually the music sucks, or the people suck, or something is wrong with the place-- but this bar was perfect. He described it like being "en provence" as in, in the country -- where there is only one bar, so the whole town comes, you have the doctor, the artist, the old people, the families... and that was the mix. A little bit of everyone.

So this strapping old man in a kelly green blazer came and sat at the bar. He chatted with Yossi, he had soup and a beer. To me he looked really French or Czech, like a former boxer with the craggy face of a painter. And then after a couple of cigarettes and his beer, he had some ice cream. Two delicate scoops, one scoop of chocolate and one scoop of "passiflora" or passionfruit. I was intrigued, so he offered me some. And being in Israel, I ate directly off of his plate as if he were my own grandfather. Then he waved good bye and meandered out. I missed him.

*gotta get a photo of these armed guards-- they are HOT. some dangle off the side of buses weilding guns and asking you random questions in Arabic. "Huh?" you may ask, and they say "never mind, I was asking you a question in Arabic" oh -- is that what they call it these days? But a photo is in order. Saw two gorgeous ones yesterday. They are keeping the buses "safe" from suicide bombers, but superficial observations aside, its sickening.