Israel is treating my like sleeping schedule like a broken bike, no matter how hard I pedal, my tiredness just can't catch up to the new time zone adjustment.  I fell asleep around 3 a.m. (8 p.m. U.S.A time) but had to wake up at 7:40 am (12:40 am U.S.A time).  Our breakfast was quite exquisite filled with food that could feed all of Toledo, or at least our football team.  If someone couldn't find something to eat, they just weren't trying hard enough, because my Israeli people hooked me up with a delicious Middle East breakfast.

Everything about this country is different.. obviously.  But it's the details that I'm starting to take notice that make the State of Israel so different from our melting pot. First, the outlets are just not cooperating with me.  My hair straightener had a struggle with the main outlet in my room, and just like The Thrilla in Manila, the outlet laid a 1-2 Muhammad Ali punch on my poor straightener and knocked that thing out like Joe Frazier in the 14th round!!!  Second, the toilets seem larger and more round, and a lot deeper.  Every time I use the restroom or hear someone else using the restroom, I feel like I'm either in a hurricane or Tel Aviv is getting bombed by Egypt again like they did in 1948 because the echo is so loud. Third, bicyclists and moped users here believe that even people walking on sidewalks are a part of the roads, and they will not hesitate to use you as a road as they run you over. Fourth, stray cats roam the streets like the pathways were created for their population. If you try and tell them otherwise, they will make it known who the boss is, JUST TRUST ME.

After our morning activities of seeing Jaffa, Tel Aviv, and Independence Hall, we had some free time to roam around.  We swam in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, which has enough salt to make a McDonald's extra-large fry jealous.  We came back and showered up and headed out to dinner.  I finally was able to eat something I could pronounce and my belly was super duper happy with my choice of gnocchi and bread. After dinner, we strolled on down the boulevard for a romantic team walk on the beach and then headed back to our bungalows for the night.

I'm all packed and ready for our travels to Tiberias in the morning.  We have a practice scheduled in the morning and then a game-time slot for 6:30 p.m. It will be exciting to play a full game and get up and down the floor a little bit.  We've have a day packed full or factual, interactive, and relaxing enjoyment of Tel Aviv, but this tour bus is rolling out homeboys and homegirls.

Stay tuned for our many adventures to come.  I know you miss me, but this is the best I can do J 

Courtney "Deuce" Ingersoll