I re-met this dog today! Here’s the story from the beginning.

 

In the first or second week that I was in Tel Aviv, I took this picture of a Dalmatian on the beach one day. It’s my best picture since being here.

 

Fast forward three months. I’m walking on the boardwalk, and who do I see, but the dog from the picture (I recognized the orange necktie.) There are two old woman (yes, older than you, Bubby) sitting on a bench next to her, so I approach them. I say “I have an incredible picture of this dog.” The one on the right replies, “bring it to me.” So then I explain to her that I took it on my digital camera, and I don’t actually have a copy of it to give her. OK, it is not easy explaining what a digital picture is to an old woman who doesn’t speak a word of English. So we go back and forth, and finally she seems to get it. So then she asks, “will you help me learn how to use the computer machine? I saw on TV there was one for 40 shekel.” So I let her down easy and explained to her that, although I wish the circumstances were different, I have a job and do not have time to show her the computer machine. She didn’t seem disappointed, and proceeded to tell me “OK that is fine, but don’t just disappear.” I tell her that I want to give her a copy of the picture of the Dalmatian named Julie. Since neither of us have a pen of paper, though, it was difficult to exchange info. And that’s when she began chanting her name and address. The chanting worked, because she is Ilana HarEl, and lives at Allenbi 17. I tell her it was so nice to meet her and I can’t wait for her to get the picture. “Before you leave,” she said, taking my hand, “there is something you should know.” I give her my cereal face and say OK. “You see that Chinese restaurant across the street?” She points to the corner of Allenbi and HaYarkon, “this dog was born in that restaurant.”

 

Cereally.

 

God I love Tel Aviv.