An apple a day

Back in the USA again.  Got to stand in the line for "Israelis" on the way out of Israel and the line for "U.S. citizens" after arrival.  Pretty cool.  The flight here was rather turbulent and at one point it sounded as if an engine had blown out but apparently it was just some static discharge.  The Israeli flight attendant kept saying in English that we shouldn't worry it was just because of the "unstable" weather.  I for one would have been more comfortable with a different translation.  Unstable sounds a little too much like--not stable.  Don't worry passengers we are flying at 36,000 feet in the air in a tin can and the loud blasts you're hearing are just because we are in a situation that is not stable.

As I filled out my customs form I realized that I had accidentally brought some contraband in my carry on.  I packed a pb&j  and an apple for the Philadelphia part of my trip forgetting that you can't bring produce into the US.  A professor of agriculture explained to me why the U.S. has these restrictions but Israel and other countries often do not, though the explanation now escapes me.   Anyway, I had to get rid of the apple when I went through customs.  The officer asked me if I had any other food.  "I'm Jewish sir.  I can't travel without having a 10 day supply of food with me but I don't have any other produce. "

We had some flight delays leaving Philadelphia.  Just some mechanical things.  You know the kind of announcements that always make you feel confident about getting onto the plane.  When I'm travelling without children though I don't mind so much when there are delays.  OK I'll sip my coffee and flip through this magazine a little longer.  No big deal.

Being back in the ER is also great.  It's amazing how easy it is to work when you are staying at Hotel Megerman.  Got to hand it to my parents they are seriously providing a full service experience.  Not thinking about what's for dinner for 3 weeks is going to be awesome (though I did leave a detailed meal plan back home).  I don't want to think about how much I'm missing Israel and Michael and the kids.  One of the nurses asked me if I feel like I am coming home when I get to the US or leaving home because I left Israel.   What a great question.