Weeks 19 and 20– Intercontinental Cruv

Unpacked, Packing, Panicking
As we unpacked from our west coast tour, so began the disassembly and packing of our east coast life. First down, the bookcase (it lasted!). Cruv’s play-place view changed from the literate to the itinerant family.

Yet the events of Week 19 reminded us of the richness of our life here: Cruv clad in his NYU onesie for an end of the year Hebrew and Judaic Studies department party with Yaron’s friends and academic teachers; an evening with Yaron’s gastronomical teacher and baby-lover, Will; meals with Noam and Julie, Talia and Aaron; Shabbat dinner at Liore’s and an after-party with friends; pre-Mother’s Day dessert with Cruv’s Abu and Savta Shira.

Jetsetter, but Jetlagged Parents
Week 20 began on Miriam’s first Mother’s Day, as we headed to JFK via the 6, N to Queens (with a blessing for Cruv’s Ima), N back to Manhattan, R, E, and AirtTrain to Terminal 1. The Turkish Airlines ticket agents were taken by Cruv (which, as we were yet to discover, foreshadowed his reception in Istanbul).

Luckily, Savta Shira informed us of the bulkhead bassinet. From JFK to IST, IST to TLV, TLV to IST, and IST to JFK, Cruv rested on his bed or lounged on his throne.

Yaron, though, did not fare as well: As crying babies and PAs outdid his half-Ambien, he has watched the sun rise over Istanbul, Jerusalem, White Plains, and New York City. On the flipside, we both have passed-out with little notice.

Cruv’s passport is stamped with three countries and three continents (though his entrance into Asia did not even require passport control–We drove over a bridge).
And Cruv added two new forms of transportation: Istanbul’s surface tram and the Israeli wrap-sling

Turkish Delight
Though not covered in sugar and stuffed with nuts, Istanbul received Cruv as the most important guest since Constantine. Not only did people ogle and point, but. more than often than not, they came-up and rubbed his head, pinched his cheeks, and tickled his neck. They gabbed and played with him. Museum and airport security went lax before Cruv, asleep or all-smiles.

In the spice bazaar, vendors called to to the next to assure they did not miss this phenomenon of the Occident. Oncoming foot traffic reversed and followed us. Cars pulled over. A few took pictures; Kutay took this video.

Golden Child and Golden Jerusalem (yerushalayim shel zahav)
From the city of mosques (Turkey is ninety-five-percent-Muslim), we flew to the meeting place (and battleground) of synagogue, church, and mosque.

First, we visited Miriam’s family in Tel Aviv — Tova, Sharon, and Ella, a three generation visit (nearly four, but Sarah could not make it).

Tova, echoing Miriam’s words at Cruv’s Brit, saw Cruv and said, “He has Sheinbein eyes, Yitshak’s eyes.”

From there to 2 Yitshak Elhanan. Cruv’s Saba and Savta Rabbah eagerly awaited their nin. We had four beautiful days, filled with smiles, aaahhh-boops, loquats, intent audiences, and squeals. We had special time with Kinneret (and Amir), Ma’ayan, and Maor. Most of all, we felt blessed to introduce our son to his fourth and fifth great-grandparents

and a city we love.

The Itinerary of Cruv of New York

It is noon on Monday, in Istanbul.  Cruv rocked the flight.  Really, rocked is an understatement.  Thanks to Savta Shira’s suggestion, Cruv luxuriated in a wall-mounted bassinet.  He slept seven or so hours of the ten hour flight(Several times, we was woken by crying babies).  The rest of the flight, he played and looked around.  It was awesome. 

Upon arrival, we knew we were in another land–The visa-guy collected bills in a bag of money.  Lines seems entirely optional and, with Cruv in the backpack (People coud not get enough it), everyone encouraged us to cut to the front (which we did). 

We’ve checked-in to the hotel:  Charming, cute, and clean, and steps from the Blue Mosque.  Istanbul, he we come!

Weeks 17-18 – Sleepin’ on the Dock of the Bay

So much to say and too many pictures. For your viewing pleasure, a video blog.  To see the stills, you can, as always, go to Flickr (All of the wildlife pictures were taken at in Phoenix).