Dessert – The Lisa Chronicles

camel

I was driving home from work today and thought to myself, the water slide wasn’t the first (or second or third) time I did something that terrified me. I rode a camel. Yes, you heard me correctly, a camel.

I was in Israel on my JWRP trip in June 2012. Our day started off at Masada. After that was time to put on some dead sea mud and float for a while. Nice and relaxed from floating in the dead sea and now we were on our way to Genesis Land in the desert. camel1 To meet our forefather Abraham and Sarah for a meal in their tent in the dessert. But not before we had a camel riding experience. Oh yes, I said camel riding.

We were almost 200 women on this trip and everyone started to scramble to find someone to go on the camel with. I was not having any part of the camel experience. All I had to see was how they actually stand up and sit down while you were on their backs and I couldn’t see myself getting on (or off) a camel.

abe1 I watched as my friends and trip mates got on, went on their rides and came back. I took all their photos and everyone kept saying, you are next. Ah, yeah, I don’t think so. Wait, time for lunch, great – saved by the lunch bell. Whoever didn’t have a chance before lunch will get a chance after, great, not saved just yet.

After we ate the rest of the group had their chance to ride. Everyone said to me, you will go home and wish you had ridden the camel and then the chance will be gone. A really nice (and very fit) sister I met from the Montreal group said she would go with me. What the heck, when in the dessert…ride a camel.

Someone had my camera and there are many undesirable photos of me getting on, trying to stay on and going on my camel ride. I did not like at all. They smell, they snort and they are really not the nicest of animals. We almost went off the side of the road as well.

When it was over everyone asked if I was happy I did it. I am once again drawn to the water slide experience and the lessons I learned. This group of women were all experiencing a abe life changing experience. We all share that in common and there was a safety in numbers and in sisterhood. Funny thing is that I never did see or hear from the Montreal woman again after the trip. But for that short period of time she was sitting in front of me on the camel and made me feel safe and comfortable doing something totally out of my comfort zone. I will always remember that.

camel4

Facebook has a new feature that allows you to share memories of updates that you created on the same day but a different year. Today just happens to be the anniversary of a great night out with great friends – last July 25, 2014. We went up to Rama to go old school Huey Lewis and the News.

Seeing the photos today in my news feed brought back the great memories of the night. I thought I would share them, since of course, they involved great food.

There were six of us that planned to go this concert. We were meeting at one friend’s house. I wasn’t really sure how we were going to get there in one car since there were six of us, but one person in the group was taking care of the plans and we were meeting at her house. I, along with others was quite surprised to see a limo parked outside her house. That was great, we could all enjoy and not worry about who was driving.

After the ride up, which took longer than usual due to an accident and the driver having to go on some of the side roads, we arrived at Rama. Let’s just say I had to make a ‘pit stop’ as soon as we arrived( Facing backwards or sideways, not for me) …and then we could continue on with the night.

We had a bit of time to leave our deposits at the casino and then it was on to dinner. We ate at St. Germains Steakhouse which was another special treat for our evening out. It was really an excellent dining experience.

Our friend who had been there many times said we had to have their signature Parmesean chips – which were fresh cooked potato chips, truffle oil and shaved Reggiano cheese – um yes please… We shared some appetizers like shrimp cocktails, wedge salads, etc and then it was on to the main courses for the evening – surf and turf – steak, lobster and more….

We did not have room for dessert (at that time) and we had to get to the concert, so we left St. Germains very fulfilled and ready to kick it old school with our friends Huey Lewis and the News. It was so much fun to rock out with them. Huey shared that they had been together 35 years which of course would bring us to the 80’s and our time to enjoy hip to be square, the heart of rock and roll, I want a new drug a so much more. It was fun to sing and all the words come right back.

After the show, it was back to St. Germains, for…well…dessert of course. Creme brulee and cheesecake were the popular (and limited) options for dessert.

We all got back in the limo, tired and full of laughter and fun. It was a quiet ride back (I slept).

I know that we have a lot of great nights out as a larger or even smaller group, but this memory from last year was a great one. Great friends, lots of laughs and of course, the glue that holds all of us foodies together – delicious food!!

Looking forward to our next night out!