Letter to American friends written on the back of a Temple Mount Faithful flyer
17-5-95
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
Thank you for your letter and for doing all you can to assist me in obtaining Israeli citizenship.
18-5-95
I started the letter, then was interrupted, so I'll start again. This is our latest announcement to advertise the upcoming demonstration of The Temple Mount & Land of Israel Faithful Movement on Jerusalem Day. (May 28)
We held an executive meeting last night to finalize plans. We'll march from Ammunition Hill to the Orient House (where we'll burn a Palestinian flag), then to the Temple Mount. More groups are forming to decry the undemocratic situation that forbids Jews & Christians from praying on the Temple Mount. Some are more “extremist” by praying out loud up there, like Chai v'Kayam.
We're “moderate” & simply drive home the point that it is illogical - in a “Jewish State” - to let Arabs/Muslims form policy by coercion (the fear of them rioting).
Shifra Hoffman, & others, said we must do more than demonstrate. They're followers of Rabbi Kahane.
Gershon Salomon thinks we must get out our message, but in a proper/reasonable way and not appear like fanatics or rush things. Nevertheless, next Wed., around 10 of us, mainly old men & women, will enter the Temple Mount - Lord-willing.
Today 3 women were going to go there & recite the Shema out loud. One woman's last name is Sunshine. She was arrested several wks. ago for praying
there. She pressed charges on some Arabs who hit her & other Jewish women, resulting in the arrest of two of them.
The situation must change, and it will, because it's unjust. It's criminal that the Temple Mount remains occupied by sworn enemies.
While calling for the Temple's reconstruction, I realize most importantly HaShem must find a Home in our hearts and minds - otherwise the Temple would be a hollow building rather than a hallowed one.
I'll send you more information soon about the El-Ad ("to the City of David")organization in Silwan/Shiloach. Thankfully, the gov. is now investigating whether the Arabs there can prove they bought their homes, rather than having stolen them from their former Yemenite Jewish owners (who were driven out in the 20's & 30's riots). God will provide me a home there eventually.
To be continued...
Shalom, David (signed in Hebrew)
P.S. The streets were alive on Independence Day eve! So many people! /
As for writing, I do realize how entangling Israel's red tape is, but I plan to still somehow get published here. I want to see Beyond Babylon in every Steimatsky! In time.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Jerusalem letter to American friends
Aug. 20. '95
Jerusalem
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
Here is an assortment of things:
quotes from Rabbi Kahane's book about Israel's
horrible “red tape” (socialist beauracracy) - that came
to mind when you mentioned how your friend said
how difficult it is to publish in Israel; a short
note about a walk for the Pgymies; a side-angle
view of me holding up Israel's flag outside the
Mugrabi Gate to the Temple Mount in Yediot Aharanot;
The Traveller magazine that includes a letter from me
inside it; an article about the City of David & the
El Ad organization (I hope to soon write a better
one myself for The National Messenger). I just went
on a city sponsored/Sabbath walking tour to the City
of David yesterday (my nose & shoulders got sun burnt!).
I've also just sent out a few letters to the Jerusalem
Post and Your Jerusalem about how if Jews
were forcibly denied the right to pray anywhere else
in the world how the Jewish community would be up
in arms - and if it had been Christians or Muslims
stopped by Israeli policemen the U.N. would've
condemned the flagrant violation of religious rights
Israel has sworn to uphold....But what's new?
Did you see how those “peace-loving,” coexistent Arabs
destroyed that Jewish hilltop near Efrat? They also
burnt a Torah scroll! As well as an Israeli flag.
How much proof does this gov. need of the Arab's true
intentions? Those of us in our “right” mind want a
real peace - we don't want to rest in peace!
Cheers,
David (also in Hebrew)
P.S. A Jewish-American group recently
were forbidden to carry Israeli flags thru
the “Muslim Quarter” for fears of unrest. Is this Palestine?
P.S.S. Gershon Salomon recently introduced me to one Avishai from Kiryat Arba.
He heads some settler organization called “Ayal.” I've been invited to
visit & probably will to show solidarity with those besieged Zionists!
Jerusalem
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
Here is an assortment of things:
quotes from Rabbi Kahane's book about Israel's
horrible “red tape” (socialist beauracracy) - that came
to mind when you mentioned how your friend said
how difficult it is to publish in Israel; a short
note about a walk for the Pgymies; a side-angle
view of me holding up Israel's flag outside the
Mugrabi Gate to the Temple Mount in Yediot Aharanot;
The Traveller magazine that includes a letter from me
inside it; an article about the City of David & the
El Ad organization (I hope to soon write a better
one myself for The National Messenger). I just went
on a city sponsored/Sabbath walking tour to the City
of David yesterday (my nose & shoulders got sun burnt!).
I've also just sent out a few letters to the Jerusalem
Post and Your Jerusalem about how if Jews
were forcibly denied the right to pray anywhere else
in the world how the Jewish community would be up
in arms - and if it had been Christians or Muslims
stopped by Israeli policemen the U.N. would've
condemned the flagrant violation of religious rights
Israel has sworn to uphold....But what's new?
Did you see how those “peace-loving,” coexistent Arabs
destroyed that Jewish hilltop near Efrat? They also
burnt a Torah scroll! As well as an Israeli flag.
How much proof does this gov. need of the Arab's true
intentions? Those of us in our “right” mind want a
real peace - we don't want to rest in peace!
Cheers,
David (also in Hebrew)
P.S. A Jewish-American group recently
were forbidden to carry Israeli flags thru
the “Muslim Quarter” for fears of unrest. Is this Palestine?
P.S.S. Gershon Salomon recently introduced me to one Avishai from Kiryat Arba.
He heads some settler organization called “Ayal.” I've been invited to
visit & probably will to show solidarity with those besieged Zionists!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Kibbutz Regavim ulpan
Letter to Marian
Jan. 23, 1990
Dear Marian,
Shalom!
I noticed by the date on your letter's postmark
that it took 2 wks. to get here. Usually it only takes 7 days.
I hope your daughters surgery went fine and she's well.
Jan. 10th is my birthday. I've hit the big 30 now. David
became King over all Israel - a united Israel - when he was
30 & moved his royal residence to Jerusalem. Before that
he was only King of the Jews (Judah) in Hebron for 7 1/2 yrs.
May YHVH-RAFEH bless your surgery & grant you a quick
recovery. I understand your preference for warmer climes &
desire to spend your winters in Florida. I prefer such also
but wish I had Dorothy's ruby red slippers so I could
click them occasionally to see some snow - a real winter -
& quickly be back in Israel. Ha!
Our ulpan is going to Masada Shabbat. Erev Shabbat
we're spending the night at a youth hostel in Arad.
I've been to Masada many times, but always for me
also it's a "new" & different experience. Plus it's with
new friends from Regavim. The day your letter
arrived, an English friend of mine
arrived to visit me for a few days.
She's just returned from a
month in Egypt & said
she could kiss Israel's
ground & the first soldier
she sees. We were on the
ulpan together at Sdot Yam and
also were on the same moshav.
(2)
Though I don't celebrate Xmas (because of its pre-Christian
origin), I wanted to be in Jerusalem for Hanukka & to
see Bishop Tutu since he's so famous. So I went
to a midnight mass, ironically, at St. George's Anglican Church
(a first for me) in Jerusalem & saw & heard "Bullshit" Tutu.
It's obvious it's not the Hebrew God who holds the leash
to his clerical collar. I hate his self-righteous stand
against S. Africa, Israel & America. He's not a minister of
Jesus Christ, he's a political wolf in sheeps clothing.
As could be expected, we had to vacate due to a
bomb threat. Such is the Middle East. Xmas Day I
was at the Wall & was later told by many kibbutzniks
I was on TV there. I didn't even see the cameras!
Then I went to Bethlehem - David's City - & noted how
life is so ironic that I should be able to visit there on
Xmas which I don't celebrate & thousands around the world
would cherish the opportunity. I thought the same during my
visit to the Vatican. I've been to Bethlehem many times
but was never interested in visiting the traditional site of
Jesus' birth, but this time I toured the Church of Nativity
with 4 volunteers I met from Kibbutz Megiddo. We all
remarked about how vain & superstitious so many
religious traditions are. The important thing is
Jesus was born in Bethlehem somewhere
because David was born in Bethlehem.
Also because it's the "House of Bread" &
He's the Manna sent from Heaven.
Oh well. I'm happy to hear your
4th book is out. I wish you
continued success & happiness.
What was your third book? I'm
honored to know & have your first two.
I hope to finish my Levi chart this year.
To be continued... Your friend, David
(3)
Oct. 10, '89
Sdot Yam,
Israel
OH HANNAH, DEAR HANNAH,
THE DAUGHTER OF JUDAH'S KINGS,
THE PRINCESS OF MANY POEMS,
THE QUEEN OF WHOM STORIES GLEAM -
WHAT MORE COULD I WRITE OF YOU,
COMPOSE ANOTHER MELODY?
A GEM POLISHED BY DESTINY,
OUR HERITAGE, OUR PRECIOUS LEGACY.
WHENEVER WE THINK OF YOU
IT CAUSES SUCH PERSONAL GRIEF
BUT REMEMBERING YOUR STRONG CHARACTER
WE'RE RENEWED IN NATIONAL STRENGTH
OH HANNAH, DEAR HANNAH,
OUR SISTER UNSEEN,
YOUR HEROIC WONDER AND AWE
WITHIN OUR HEARTS WILL NEVER CEASE.
David Ben-Ariel (signed in Hebrew)
Jan. 23, 1990
Dear Marian,
Shalom!
I noticed by the date on your letter's postmark
that it took 2 wks. to get here. Usually it only takes 7 days.
I hope your daughters surgery went fine and she's well.
Jan. 10th is my birthday. I've hit the big 30 now. David
became King over all Israel - a united Israel - when he was
30 & moved his royal residence to Jerusalem. Before that
he was only King of the Jews (Judah) in Hebron for 7 1/2 yrs.
May YHVH-RAFEH bless your surgery & grant you a quick
recovery. I understand your preference for warmer climes &
desire to spend your winters in Florida. I prefer such also
but wish I had Dorothy's ruby red slippers so I could
click them occasionally to see some snow - a real winter -
& quickly be back in Israel. Ha!
Our ulpan is going to Masada Shabbat. Erev Shabbat
we're spending the night at a youth hostel in Arad.
I've been to Masada many times, but always for me
also it's a "new" & different experience. Plus it's with
new friends from Regavim. The day your letter
arrived, an English friend of mine
arrived to visit me for a few days.
She's just returned from a
month in Egypt & said
she could kiss Israel's
ground & the first soldier
she sees. We were on the
ulpan together at Sdot Yam and
also were on the same moshav.
(2)
Though I don't celebrate Xmas (because of its pre-Christian
origin), I wanted to be in Jerusalem for Hanukka & to
see Bishop Tutu since he's so famous. So I went
to a midnight mass, ironically, at St. George's Anglican Church
(a first for me) in Jerusalem & saw & heard "Bullshit" Tutu.
It's obvious it's not the Hebrew God who holds the leash
to his clerical collar. I hate his self-righteous stand
against S. Africa, Israel & America. He's not a minister of
Jesus Christ, he's a political wolf in sheeps clothing.
As could be expected, we had to vacate due to a
bomb threat. Such is the Middle East. Xmas Day I
was at the Wall & was later told by many kibbutzniks
I was on TV there. I didn't even see the cameras!
Then I went to Bethlehem - David's City - & noted how
life is so ironic that I should be able to visit there on
Xmas which I don't celebrate & thousands around the world
would cherish the opportunity. I thought the same during my
visit to the Vatican. I've been to Bethlehem many times
but was never interested in visiting the traditional site of
Jesus' birth, but this time I toured the Church of Nativity
with 4 volunteers I met from Kibbutz Megiddo. We all
remarked about how vain & superstitious so many
religious traditions are. The important thing is
Jesus was born in Bethlehem somewhere
because David was born in Bethlehem.
Also because it's the "House of Bread" &
He's the Manna sent from Heaven.
Oh well. I'm happy to hear your
4th book is out. I wish you
continued success & happiness.
What was your third book? I'm
honored to know & have your first two.
I hope to finish my Levi chart this year.
To be continued... Your friend, David
(3)
Oct. 10, '89
Sdot Yam,
Israel
OH HANNAH, DEAR HANNAH,
THE DAUGHTER OF JUDAH'S KINGS,
THE PRINCESS OF MANY POEMS,
THE QUEEN OF WHOM STORIES GLEAM -
WHAT MORE COULD I WRITE OF YOU,
COMPOSE ANOTHER MELODY?
A GEM POLISHED BY DESTINY,
OUR HERITAGE, OUR PRECIOUS LEGACY.
WHENEVER WE THINK OF YOU
IT CAUSES SUCH PERSONAL GRIEF
BUT REMEMBERING YOUR STRONG CHARACTER
WE'RE RENEWED IN NATIONAL STRENGTH
OH HANNAH, DEAR HANNAH,
OUR SISTER UNSEEN,
YOUR HEROIC WONDER AND AWE
WITHIN OUR HEARTS WILL NEVER CEASE.
David Ben-Ariel (signed in Hebrew)
Jerusalem, bird's eye view of the Old City, foreground right the Citadel
Postcard to Leo & Marian
Mon., Aug. 14, '95
Shalom! (Hebrew)
Just a note while I'm at work as a
receptionist across from the Damascus Gate.
The last time I went to the "Misrad Ha-Penim"
they further frustrated me by saying now I need
letters of recom. from Israelis. I asked "how
many?" "I don't know." When I said she must
know she said she didn't need to know.
Then I got angry & asked WHY everytime I
return they tell me I need something
else, rather than tell me everything up front.
I murmured about the socialist beauracracy
& that angered her & she wrote on my application
I said that. I told her plenty of Israelis
felt the same way. My friends said to not give up
and I would prevail. So be it. I have no problem
getting Israeli letters.
On a more positive note, our Temple Mt. Faithful demo. on Tisha' B'Av
was most successful - tho' the police are getting more rowdy - at least against Jews. I'll send you more info. soon. Cheers, David (also signed in Hebrew)
Mon., Aug. 14, '95
Shalom! (Hebrew)
Just a note while I'm at work as a
receptionist across from the Damascus Gate.
The last time I went to the "Misrad Ha-Penim"
they further frustrated me by saying now I need
letters of recom. from Israelis. I asked "how
many?" "I don't know." When I said she must
know she said she didn't need to know.
Then I got angry & asked WHY everytime I
return they tell me I need something
else, rather than tell me everything up front.
I murmured about the socialist beauracracy
& that angered her & she wrote on my application
I said that. I told her plenty of Israelis
felt the same way. My friends said to not give up
and I would prevail. So be it. I have no problem
getting Israeli letters.
On a more positive note, our Temple Mt. Faithful demo. on Tisha' B'Av
was most successful - tho' the police are getting more rowdy - at least against Jews. I'll send you more info. soon. Cheers, David (also signed in Hebrew)
ATHENS - View of Acropolis
Postcard to American friends Marian & Leo
Aug. 23. '90
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
Thank G-d ONE DAY
there will be shalom throughout the
universe in spite of our human failings.
Yes, we're alive & well in Israel, living
in defiance of "wars & rumors of wars." May
G-d continue to frustrate the purpose of the
pagans & cure or at least contain their
insanity! Tonight, under Israel's untold stars,
we enjoyed a bonfire, complete with a mini-
divided "United Nations" discussions, debates &
arguments over politics & religion - since we're from
all over, followed by guitar and song - with the
jackals mournful howls in the background, down
in the valley. We're on Lebanon's border, perched
high up on a mtn. near Shelomi. It's beautiful
here! Excuse the Greek card. I spent 4 nights
in Frankfurt, 2 nights on a bus to Greece, 4 nights
in Athens & 3 nights sailing
to Israel, stopping in Rhodes
& Cyprus. I'm at Kibbutz Adamit, 22875 Israel.
Shalom, David (signed in Hebrew)
Aug. 23. '90
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
Thank G-d ONE DAY
there will be shalom throughout the
universe in spite of our human failings.
Yes, we're alive & well in Israel, living
in defiance of "wars & rumors of wars." May
G-d continue to frustrate the purpose of the
pagans & cure or at least contain their
insanity! Tonight, under Israel's untold stars,
we enjoyed a bonfire, complete with a mini-
divided "United Nations" discussions, debates &
arguments over politics & religion - since we're from
all over, followed by guitar and song - with the
jackals mournful howls in the background, down
in the valley. We're on Lebanon's border, perched
high up on a mtn. near Shelomi. It's beautiful
here! Excuse the Greek card. I spent 4 nights
in Frankfurt, 2 nights on a bus to Greece, 4 nights
in Athens & 3 nights sailing
to Israel, stopping in Rhodes
& Cyprus. I'm at Kibbutz Adamit, 22875 Israel.
Shalom, David (signed in Hebrew)
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Gordon Youth Hostel, Tel Aviv; Miriam's
Aerogramme from Israel to Mom & Lisa
Thurs. Eve.
Jan. 30, 1992
Dear Mom & Lisa,
Shalom again from Israel!
I arrived here 11:30 p.m. Tues. & spent the night
at Gordon's youth hostel on the beachfront in
Tel Aviv, drinking with a South African guy & his
Irish friend. I made it here to Miriam's Wed.
afternoon. Thank God she found her misplaced
album 1/2 hr. before I arrived. She said you were
so friendly on the phone. She said she couldn't
imagine I'd taken it, but thought maybe I borrowed
it or something. Silly woman! She became very ill
last night, vomited & was dizzy so we called the
night nurse. I was afraid she was going to die.
Today she's much better. I'm staying here until
Sun. morning. She loves my company & appreciates
my "help" - little things for me, but big for her.
God's blessed us already w/10 years of love &
friendship. 10 yrs! Unbelievable... Sun. I leave for
my old kibbutz. I might stay for 1 month & come
home. I must be where I can have the set-up
to write. Writers must write. My inheritance
dwindles, but I don't regret for a moment how
I've spent it (except maybe for a few too many
dollars spent on drink!). Donna has gone to
Egypt & is to then fly to London & hopes to visit
us in America this summer. Perhaps with her
present lover, Andrew, if they're still together.
Miriam had 10 letters waiting here for me from
Bob, Mrs. Goldner, cards from Lee & Linda, Bill & Carol,
Donna, Mrs. Glick, Janet, new friends from S.Afrika,
etc. South Africa was probably one of the
best times of my life! Too good to be true,
but it's true. I'll write more later,
or call if I'm coming home sooner.
Love,
David (in Hebrew)
Thurs. Eve.
Jan. 30, 1992
Dear Mom & Lisa,
Shalom again from Israel!
I arrived here 11:30 p.m. Tues. & spent the night
at Gordon's youth hostel on the beachfront in
Tel Aviv, drinking with a South African guy & his
Irish friend. I made it here to Miriam's Wed.
afternoon. Thank God she found her misplaced
album 1/2 hr. before I arrived. She said you were
so friendly on the phone. She said she couldn't
imagine I'd taken it, but thought maybe I borrowed
it or something. Silly woman! She became very ill
last night, vomited & was dizzy so we called the
night nurse. I was afraid she was going to die.
Today she's much better. I'm staying here until
Sun. morning. She loves my company & appreciates
my "help" - little things for me, but big for her.
God's blessed us already w/10 years of love &
friendship. 10 yrs! Unbelievable... Sun. I leave for
my old kibbutz. I might stay for 1 month & come
home. I must be where I can have the set-up
to write. Writers must write. My inheritance
dwindles, but I don't regret for a moment how
I've spent it (except maybe for a few too many
dollars spent on drink!). Donna has gone to
Egypt & is to then fly to London & hopes to visit
us in America this summer. Perhaps with her
present lover, Andrew, if they're still together.
Miriam had 10 letters waiting here for me from
Bob, Mrs. Goldner, cards from Lee & Linda, Bill & Carol,
Donna, Mrs. Glick, Janet, new friends from S.Afrika,
etc. South Africa was probably one of the
best times of my life! Too good to be true,
but it's true. I'll write more later,
or call if I'm coming home sooner.
Love,
David (in Hebrew)
ZIMBABWE
Postcard to Mom and Lisa
Interest Map of Zimbabwe
Jan. 24, '92
Happy Birthday Elizabeth!
Thinking of you here in
Zimbabwe. I'm in the farthest
N.E. visiting the magnificent Victoria
Falls. I hitched from S. Afrika to
the border town of Beitbridge &
hitched to Bulawayo (2 days time) &
then took a 15 hrs. train ride here. On
the train I met up with 3 people I
met 2 wks. ago in George, S.A., including
the English girl who bunji jumped with us.
We're renting a place together tonight. We counted around 5 rainbows
in the Falls - they're unbelievable - & got drenched by the mist -
just like rain.
P.S. I've seen so many baboons & monkeys!
Love yas, David
Garden Route/Cape Province
Postcard
Rugged Coastline Moods of the Cape Cape Gallery
Typical scenery of cliffs meeting ocean - between Storms River Mouth
and Plettenberg Bay
Jan. 5, '92
Dear Mom & Lisa,
Shalom!
Since saying goodbye to wonderful Cape Town,
Debbie & Celeste - I hitched this last
Sun. & my 3rd ride picked me up near the
Somerset West exit & I've been w/him ever
since. His name's James & he's from London &
he's happening to go so far everywhere I've
watned to: we've visited the southernmost
tip of Afrika, seen Cango Caves, had a
baboon run across the road in front of us
& watched others climbing on the rocks!
The scenery continues to be out of this
world! We tanned all day yesterday on
Wilderness beach, spent 3 nights in George,
visited Kysna w/its lagoons today & walked
on a spectacular beach and we went
bunji jumping today! Off of a 200 ft.
high bridge. Scary!!! But I survived.
We also took pictures of ostriches on farms
here. Now we're spending the night in
Plettenberg Bay. I've been in S. Africa now
for a month.
Lots of love!
David
Rugged Coastline Moods of the Cape Cape Gallery
Typical scenery of cliffs meeting ocean - between Storms River Mouth
and Plettenberg Bay
Jan. 5, '92
Dear Mom & Lisa,
Shalom!
Since saying goodbye to wonderful Cape Town,
Debbie & Celeste - I hitched this last
Sun. & my 3rd ride picked me up near the
Somerset West exit & I've been w/him ever
since. His name's James & he's from London &
he's happening to go so far everywhere I've
watned to: we've visited the southernmost
tip of Afrika, seen Cango Caves, had a
baboon run across the road in front of us
& watched others climbing on the rocks!
The scenery continues to be out of this
world! We tanned all day yesterday on
Wilderness beach, spent 3 nights in George,
visited Kysna w/its lagoons today & walked
on a spectacular beach and we went
bunji jumping today! Off of a 200 ft.
high bridge. Scary!!! But I survived.
We also took pictures of ostriches on farms
here. Now we're spending the night in
Plettenberg Bay. I've been in S. Africa now
for a month.
Lots of love!
David
Friday, May 19, 2006
CAPE PENINSULA - SOUTH AFRICA
Beautiful postcard to Mom and Lisa that reads:
CAPE PENINSULA - SOUTH AFRICA
Aerial view of Table Mountain and
Lion's Head with Camps Bay in the
Distance and Llandudno in the
Foreground
continued... Mon. Dec. 16, '91
Shalom!
So Debbie picked me up in Cape
Town & I spent the night with her
in a beautiful, well-to-do neighborhood.
She took me to Table Mtn. That mountain
on the other card & this one. I visited
their water front with its shops & such,
climbed a part of the mountain, visited
Rhodes Memorial - then Sabbath Debbie
took me around the entire peninsula, all
the way to Cape Point - the farthest south
point. It's all absolutely unbelievable. It's
beautiful beyond words! Mountains, beaches,
white sand, forests... I went out with Debbie to a blues bar called
The Smokehouse. I've also met her family when we visited her mother. Since
last night I'm now at Celeste's. She's a friend of mine who studied Hebrew
at Sdot Yam w/Donna & I. Her family's most gracious. They're all "coloured"
& live in a coloured section of Cape Town. Coloured in s. Afrika means
mixed. We went dancing last night at The Galaxy. Today we
spent the entire day at the spectacular beach. I'll be here
for 1 or 2 wks. then to other areas.
More later. Love, David
Huge SOUTH AFRICA postcard to Mom & Lisa
(same one I sent to many people with Table Mountain; The Cango Caves
near Oudtshoorn; Forest Falls in the Eastern Transvaal; Africa Lion)
Mon. Dec. 16, 1991
Dearest Mom & Lisa,
Shalom (written in Hebrew) from beautiful South Africa!
I arrived in Johannesburg, S.A. last
Wednsday eve. about 8:30 pm. our flight left
Tel Aviv & flew to Athens, Greece & then south
over the Mediterranean, Egypt, Sudan, etc.
It all looked so barren & desert & brown. We also
could see the Nile from the plane. I flew South
African Airways. I spent my first night here at the
City Lodge hotel near the airport. Thurs.
afternoon I hitched (their cars drive like in England!)
& got about 3 rides from very nice people - some of
whom went out of their way to help me along - before i met
up with this very nice girl who was hitchhiking also. Ilsa
is her name. She's from the city of Pretoria - their capital. So we hitched together.
We passed such wide, open, unbelievable spaces, hilly & flat & mountains in the distance. We spent the night in Uitenhage near Port Elizabeth with the man who gave us a ride for about 9 hrs.
He lives there w/his wife & 3 kids. Fri. Ilsa & I got a good ride from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town (8 Hours) in the back of a pickup truck. I got burnt - the sun is wicked but the weather's
beautiful. We passed such awesome scenery & huge mtns., farm land & miles of winding coast of the
Indian ocean. My friend Debbie picked me up in Cape Town. It's the resort area. I'll continue on another card. Love, David
Sunday, May 14, 2006
THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL/OOS TRANSVAAL
Postcard to Mom & Lisa
Jan. 19, '92
Shalom!
After seeing all the animals
in Kruger National Park - including
5 lions, herds of elephants near the
river, baboon families (one wouldn't
get off our car!), Zebras galore,
giraffes, etc. We visited 4 glorious
waterfalls today, the "potholes,"
Pilgrim's Rest, the Pinnacle - everything
on this card except Lisbon (the other
Falls were better). We're worn out, but
tomorrow we leave this town of Sabie for
Sudwala caves &
more scenic sights
in the Southern
Drakenberg Mtn.
area. Love, David
P.S. Shalom to Bill!
EASTERN TRANSVAAL South Africa
Scenic wonderland of waterfalls, forests and numerous tourist
attractions as depicted in the Lisbon Falls; Blyde River Canyon; 'Bourke's
Luck' potholes; The Pinnacle; and historic Pilgrims Rest.
OOS TRANSVAAL Suid Afrika
ZEBRA GROUP/GROEP SEBRAS
Postcard from the Republic of South Africa (RSA) of zebras to my mom & youngest sister, Wanda & Lisa
Holland, Ohio (mom gave me some of these cards back knowing I'd enjoy them).
Jan. 17, '92
Shalom!
Where do I begin - too many tales
to tell. I think I left off at Plettenberg
Bay...Then James & I carried on to
Tsitsikama Forest, walked/crossed Storms River on a
suspension bridge; checked out Kynsna with
its lagoons & spent a night w/his friends in
Port Elizabeth, ate at the yacht club,
then Fri. (my B.day) James & I went our
ways & I wasn't on the highway 10 minutes
before a kickbox karate instructer picked me
up & took me the 3 hr. drive to East London
right to the doorstep of a youth hostel! But
first we stopped at Port Alfred where he bought me
2 drinks for my 32nd. In East London I met up
with the English couple I bunji jumped with & we
then hitched together (another story) through Transkei (along the coast) to Durban
in a Mercedes. In Durban we rented a car for 6 days (this is our 3rd) &
drove to Pongola - spent the night at
some guy's house & then drove thru
Swaziland & now we're in Kruger
National Park. We've seen wild
Giraffes, Zebras, Baboons, Elephants, Springbok, Rhinos, etc! Love, David
ZEBRA GROUP Southern Africa
With the extinction of the Quagga in 1878, the Cape mountain zebra, and
Burchells zebra (Equus burchelli) - as seen here, are the only 'wild
horses' remaining in the sub-continent.
GROEP SEBRAS Suidelike Afrika
(same description but in Afrikaans).
Pierre from Pongola, RSA invited Ruth, Paul, German & myself to stay in his farmhouse near Swaziland '92
Gallery card/Sam Maxwell #322298
Black & white postcard/hot man with bandana, no shirt, hands raised in a karate poise?
To "Stella" - Steve
Feb. 10, '92
Queen! I shouldn't be writing you a word
since you haven't once dropped me a line! I'll
slap you soon - I've been back in Israel for
almost 2 wks. & I'm bored, lonely & cold! It's
hard to "slow down" after going so fast &
being the new kid on the block everywhere I've
gone has been great for my ego, but now I'm
hibernating indoors like everyone else. Our
mountains got snow on 'em yesterday & it
sure looks pretty & the Sea of Galilee is
full again - but I miss S. Africa's summer
weather!!! I'm here until March 24th, then I
fly to London for 1 wk & then I'm off to the
States March 31st - so get ready for the
Blond Bombers arrival! Ha! My very first
night back I had 2 "dates," as well as this
last Fri. evenin' - not bad for just having
returned, eh? I called mom this last Fri. night
also to tell her my plans. I've just finished
Danielle Steel's book Fine Things - very good - &
I'm reading The March of Folly now. Have to do
somethin' other than sleep & write 50,000 cards &
letters. Sit down & write me back now!
Love & tenderness, Ha!
David Kibbutz Ha'On 1500 Israel P.S. Shalom to Doris!
SOUTH AFRICA/SUID AFRIKA
Huge postcard to Steve & Doris
Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand. Inset photo: The Cango Caves near
Oudtshoorn; Forest Falls in the Eastern Transvaal; African lion
Mon. Dec. 16, '91
Cape Town, RSA
Shalom From
SOUTH AFRICA!
As I tell all - I can't believe I'm
actually here - it's wonderful!
I hitched from JOHANNESBURG to
CAPE TOWN (1200 miles) in 2 days time.
I went from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town via
the famous scenic "Garden Route." Such
wide open spaces, gigantic mountains, the beautiful
Indian Ocean Coast, Forests, white sand beaches,
PALM TREES!
I spent my first night w/one friend
who took me around the entire peninsula
(spectacular!), climbed part of Table Mtn.,
cruised the waterfront's many shops, etc.
Presently I'm with another friend & her
mother & sister. We spent the day on
the beach. The sun is wicked - but the weather's wonderful!
I'm excited about being
here & look forward to seeing the sites. Love, David
River Jordan
Postcard
Feb. 5, 1990
Dear Doris (your name in Hebrew)
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
(Shalom)
I've been busy with my Hebrew
classes & working but wanted you to
know you're thought of in Israel.
Last Sabbath we travelled to the
Golan Heights near Jordan's border,
ate next to the Sea of Galilee, visited
Crusader Fortress ruins at Belvoir,
saw the ruins of Capernaum where
Jesus' disciples Peter, Andrew, James & John
had lived & owned a fishing business
and ate ice-cream in Tiberias. I
love to tour Israel & enjoy the sites
like an excited child full of awe
and wonder.
I hope you have
a pleasant week.
Yours,
David Ben-Ariel (in Hebrew)
David Ben-Ariel
Feb. 5, 1990
Dear Doris (your name in Hebrew)
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
(Shalom)
I've been busy with my Hebrew
classes & working but wanted you to
know you're thought of in Israel.
Last Sabbath we travelled to the
Golan Heights near Jordan's border,
ate next to the Sea of Galilee, visited
Crusader Fortress ruins at Belvoir,
saw the ruins of Capernaum where
Jesus' disciples Peter, Andrew, James & John
had lived & owned a fishing business
and ate ice-cream in Tiberias. I
love to tour Israel & enjoy the sites
like an excited child full of awe
and wonder.
I hope you have
a pleasant week.
Yours,
David Ben-Ariel (in Hebrew)
David Ben-Ariel
ST. GEORGES CHAPEL, WINDSOR CASTLE, BERKS.
Postcard to Steve & Doris
Thurs. Aug. 22, 91
Greetings from England! Donna & I are staying with her sister & her boyfriend in Wraysbury (an hr. west of London). Today we took the train to
Windsor & toured its castle & saw the Thames River. Last night Donna's mom & family treated me at a steak house in Ashford called Harvester. Tomorrow we're
taking on London. Sat. night we take the ferry across the Channel to Holland...
ST. GEORGES CHAPEL, WINDSOR CASTLE, BERKS.
This is only one room of many beautiful rooms
Love, David
P.S. it's a "trip" being back in England again!Hard to grasp.
P.SS. Just talked on the phone to a friend in N. England
Thurs. Aug. 22, 91
Greetings from England! Donna & I are staying with her sister & her boyfriend in Wraysbury (an hr. west of London). Today we took the train to
Windsor & toured its castle & saw the Thames River. Last night Donna's mom & family treated me at a steak house in Ashford called Harvester. Tomorrow we're
taking on London. Sat. night we take the ferry across the Channel to Holland...
ST. GEORGES CHAPEL, WINDSOR CASTLE, BERKS.
This is only one room of many beautiful rooms
Love, David
P.S. it's a "trip" being back in England again!Hard to grasp.
P.SS. Just talked on the phone to a friend in N. England
Trafalgar Square, London
Soldiers praying at the Western Wall
Oct. 26, '91
Israel (in Hebrew & English)
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
I've just finished listening to the
BBC's world news on the radio & thought
I'd drop you a line. Miriam said I have 2
letters or cards there she'll send me soon. You'd
better write. Donna (Skye) & I hitched to Jerusalem
this last Wednsday - it took us 7 persecuting hrs!
I bought a number of these various photograph/cards
some American girl sells in the Jewish quarter
of Jerusalem. This one is soldiers at the
Western Wall. Last night was our "disco" -
in our bomb shelter. I didn't get drunk, but
had a slight buzz, tho' I'm determined to
stop all drinking. Alcohol just isn't worthy
dying for! Today, Shabbat, I read quite a bit
of the Bible, different accounts of various Kings
and their reigns - good & bad. I'm supposed to
buy a typewriter or word processor tomorrow or
this week to help motivate me to remember my
self-proclaimed purpose for living in Israel:
to write! So help me God. I hope you're
not drinking - having had enough bruises for
many lifetimes. Give my love to Doris & all.
Write! Love ya! David
Brewing coffee in the desert
Postcard with Beduins near their tent
to Steve & Dale
Wed.
Feb. 14, 1990
Queens! Shalom (in Hebrew)! It's almost 2:00 at night, just finished the pub & went for some real Ouzo in the room of some Turkish volunteers here. I've been a bad boy lately - been on a
binge - I had... stayed up 'till 5:00 talking in the pub w/a most gorgeous S. Afrikan who says he's straight. I was in charge of the music & bar last night & we went through 65 beers - (average night is 20 beers). I've had some bad black-outs lately after drinking vodka, Arak (Israeli ouzo)
& beer so I've tried to stop again, but start up again socializing. Donna, from my former ulpan at Sdot Yam & Moshav, has come here for a month - after having been spent a month in Egypt. Today she's been here 3 wks, & today she moved in as my roommate since we're filling up - now 3 S. Afrikans, 3 new Brazilians & more on the way. I sent your mom a card Steve about my recent trip. Tonight I was talking about you & really missed you & wished I could be with you all & enjoy a few cocktails before clicking my heels to return here, back to Israel. Rarely do I get in a "Miss America" mood. I've been to a Beduins tent... Oh, well, Good-night & write! Not just Dale, but you too Steve or I'll hate you. Love, David (in Hebrew)
Kibbutz Ha'On
Sabbath
Oct. 5, 1991
Israel
Stella!
Shalom! I don't feel like
sleeping yet, so I'll write a little
since I'm in a lazy mood.
Did Bob M. read you the letter I
wrote him & wanted him to share
w/you the dirt about all my
tricks & treats in Europe?
There's quite a few here ... I just visited
Tiberias (our closest city) last Fri. (yesterday)
...
I've been having some horrible black-outs
but everyone says I've been the life of the
party - as long as I don't get into trouble!
We have a disco twice a wk. & dance our brains out.
Write me! Later, Love, David
hi from Skye (Donna)!
Aerogramme has address of Kibbutz Ha'On (on the East side of the Sea of Galilee)
P.S.
Shalom
to Doris!
Oct. 5, 1991
Israel
Stella!
Shalom! I don't feel like
sleeping yet, so I'll write a little
since I'm in a lazy mood.
Did Bob M. read you the letter I
wrote him & wanted him to share
w/you the dirt about all my
tricks & treats in Europe?
There's quite a few here ... I just visited
Tiberias (our closest city) last Fri. (yesterday)
...
I've been having some horrible black-outs
but everyone says I've been the life of the
party - as long as I don't get into trouble!
We have a disco twice a wk. & dance our brains out.
Write me! Later, Love, David
hi from Skye (Donna)!
Aerogramme has address of Kibbutz Ha'On (on the East side of the Sea of Galilee)
P.S.
Shalom
to Doris!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Eilat
Postcard of "Dazzling Eilat by night"
(The Mountains are Jordan)
to Dale/Steve
April 21, '90
Shalom! (in Hebrew)
We just got back from our wonderful
trip & I'm exhausted & listening to Shana.
On our way down we stopped at the Dead Sea to
swim (float!). I saw 2 mtn. goats. We got into
Eilat in the evening & parked our bus on the
beach & slept there for 2 nights w/sleeping bags and/or
covers. It's beautiful down there, also ritzy &
flooded with tourists - reminded me so much of
Ft. Lauderdale. A gang of us went drinking (I bought a small bottle of J. Walker Red) at the Red Lion
& later both nights to The LIDO - gorgeous man works
there, but I tricked w/some tourist on the promenade...
We visited the underground observatory to see all the coral & fishes,
layed on the beach for hrs (drinking beer), went up on Mt. Yoash for the view of Egypt,
walked to death to see Red Canyon & later at Ein Gedi to see a
waterfall in the desert - beautiful! Donna & Chris
said I was really talking to some German guy I was
interested in at the bar, but I don't remember him the
faintest (or leaving the bar, only my trick later). Shameful.
Tomorrow's back to work. Tomorrow's also
Holocaust (Memorial) Day. Independence Day
(BiG BASH)
is next month.
Oh well, I'm tired, so I'll write later. Bye, Love - David (spelled in Hebrew)
Tel-Aviv, Dizengoff Square, Fire-Water Sculpture
Postcard to Stella & Della Andrews
Maumee, Ohio
Thanksgiving Day, '88
Shalom!
The weather has been especially
beautiful, unusually suuny since
it's their rainy season. I've
been visiting here at the kibbutz
and nearby towns with friends.
I visited Yusuf's cousin in Nazareth.
Yesterday I enjoyed a lovely cruise
on the Sea of Galilee with jeans,
Tank top and sunglasses! It was
gorgeous! Tomorrow I leave
towards Jerusalem. Everyone thinks
I'm German or Swedish.
Maybe I am... ha!
This sculpture is interesting to watch. It's also musical. See ya! Darling David
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
To Steve & Doris
Postcard with a picture of a rainbow in mist of Victoria Falls
"The Devil's Cataract from opposite the Main Falls. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe"
Jan. 24, '92
Shalom from awesome
Victoria Falls in N.W. ZimBaBWE!
I hitched up here from S. Afrika
to Bulawayo & then took a
15 hr. train ride up - meeting
& staying with 3 people on the
train I'd met earlier in S. Afrika.
There's wild baboons, giraffes &
such here - it's unbelievable!
Tonight we ate in the very colonial
Victoria Falls Hotel. Nice.
Love, David
P.S. This is only a part of the Victoria Falls.
We counted around 5 rainbows & Got drenched by the mist.
Postcard with a picture of a rainbow in mist of Victoria Falls
"The Devil's Cataract from opposite the Main Falls. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe"
Jan. 24, '92
Shalom from awesome
Victoria Falls in N.W. ZimBaBWE!
I hitched up here from S. Afrika
to Bulawayo & then took a
15 hr. train ride up - meeting
& staying with 3 people on the
train I'd met earlier in S. Afrika.
There's wild baboons, giraffes &
such here - it's unbelievable!
Tonight we ate in the very colonial
Victoria Falls Hotel. Nice.
Love, David
P.S. This is only a part of the Victoria Falls.
We counted around 5 rainbows & Got drenched by the mist.
WHITE RHINOCEROS - Kruger National Park
Postcard from RSA with a rhino & baby rhino on front
It reads on the writing side -
White Rhinoceros Kruger National Park
The Ceratotherium simum - White Rhino - is the same grey
colour as its counterpart the Black Rhino, but probably derived its
name from the 'wide' square mouth
Jan. 19, '92
Dear Steve -
as I write everyone -
I've got too many tales
to tell... I've hitched all over
this awesome country, but 5 days
ago I rented a car with an English
couple & we've driven through
Swaziland, Kruger National Park
where we saw herds of elephants,
lions, zebras, baboons, some Rhino
& child just like this card, Springbok,
Wildebeest, hippos, etc. It was unreal.
Today we visited 4 magnificent waterfalls.
I took loads of picture. I leave
Wed. for Zimbabwe - then back to Johannesberg
&
Israel!
Love, David
P.S. I've turned 32 here...
H.M. QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Postcard with the Queen in a beautiful blue dress wearing a crown of blue sapphires and sapphire necklace and sapphire earrings - I guess that's what they are
To Steve & Dale
Maumee, Ohio
Thinking of you... ha!
David (in Hebrew)
I ... w/some Arab (who's in prison, but gets out to work) last week... He was really nice.
Last night went out drinking again in Bet-Shean. I've got to quit drinking - for many reasons. Spent all of Independence Day sunning at Sakhne, now I'm throwing out stuff preparing to leave junk w/Miriam, travel lightly on a ferry to Cyprus, then Athens, Greece, then Germany & London to N.Y. to Detroit to Toilet, Ohio! Maybe in 2-4 wks. Wuv, me
P.S. Excuse the torn tape marks. I bought this last yr. in London & always kept it prominently
displayed on my wall. Ha.
PRAHA
Beautiful postcard that simply reads "Bridges of Prague"
addressed to Steve & Doris Gwinn, Toledo, Ohio
Sept 3, '91
Shalom from
Prague, Czechoslavakia!
It's absolutely beautiful
here & a photographers fantasy. We've just finished
touring their castle & are now resting in the Royal Gardens.
The weather has been gorgeous.
We went dancing last night
& had fun. The oldest synagogue in Europe is here.
Donna & I have been hanging w/our youth hostel roommate
who's from Berlin. We've been here 3 nights & leave tomorrow
by train (8 hrs. again) for Budapest, Hungary,
Love, David
**********
See Praha (Prague, Czechoslavakia)
Moshav Kfar Hayyim, Israel
Letter to Dale & Steve
Dec. 9, 1989
Moshav Kfar Hayyim,
Israel/8:40 p.m.
Shalom! (written in Hebrew)
I'm listening to Rita as I write you.
She's a famous Israeli singer I love. I'll
send you some of her songs sometime - all of them
are in Hebrew but 1 or 2 albums, but you'd still like the tunes.
So far I've received all your mail & have appreciated your letters.
I about fell over dead when you wrote me Steve! Do it again -
it was great. I've written Eric in Columbus. Thanx for the
pictures. I really like them & so did everyone else. Donna
said to tell you both, again, she'd like to meet you since you both
seem so fun. If she didn't hate kids, wasn't for abortion, and was
Jewish, I told her I'd marry her. Michal's really in love,
I guess, with me. I was french-kissing her Friday night
when Donna, Ann & I hitched to Sdot Yam for a prearranged
redezvous with some Dutch girls we had studied with, also
with Celeste from S. Afrika. The "Dutch connection" just returned
from 3 sun-tanned wks. in Egypt. Donna & Ann go there for a
month next Monday. This Thursday is my last work day here,
then I spend the night at Sdot Yam with Mark (London). Friday
we go to Kibbutz Regavim to continue our Hebrew classes. I'm
actually anxious - thank God - to study again & only work part-time.
Donna & I are really going to miss each other. She plans on
coming to stay with me for a few days when she comes back
from Mitzraim (Egypt). She's either going then to some
moshav or kibbutz or back to London...
For several days last week, for some reason unknown, I
(2)
really missed Dean & wanted to be with him, but thankfully
the feeling has passed, besides I got rid of my trick
addresses awhile ago to help me remain spiritually sober
& celibate, which is pretty difficult sometimes, but worth
a noble try. Donna & I discuss how 1 night stands
are a damned lie, yet we also acknowledge the temporary
thrill of adventure, adrenalin & lustful excitement that's
so addicting, so alluring, for 1 more "fix"...
Donna notices guys really watching me down in the pub & agrees
with me that certain ones would have sex with me. But actually
I don't want to get distracted, drug down & out & bear the
heavy burden of guilt. Shame - Diana Ross... I can't believe I've
been gone from Amerika for almost 1/2 yr! It seems like I left
yesterday. Sometimes I miss the security of my own private apt.
but I'll have a home someday in Jerusalem with '150 babies'...ha!
I know I'd be bored in Toledo, that it'd seem like I had
never left, the same old song & dance, same tired crowd with their
exaggerated attitudes & sad looks in the "gay" bars, as
happy as the make-up the drag-queens cake on their confused
faces... Oh, well - point made. I know you understand.
At least in Israel - also imperfect - I continually meet new
people from all over the world, tour at least once a month & am
where I've chosen to be, dictating my own destiny, not just
being swept away by events beyond my control, because I've
taken control, besides being FREE in ISRAEL
(3)
is far better than being imprisoned in America for 6 months to
3 yrs! Such a scary thought! I wonder if Danny every
got out... Donna, Ann & I headed south to the desert,
next to Jordan's border & mountains but only enjoyed 2 nights
there under a full moon at Moshav Iddan because they
couldn't use us for only 1 month, so we went back to the
Moshav office in Tel Aviv & arranged to work for this most
friendly South African family. We're near Netanya, north of
Tel Aviv, just south of Sdot Yam (where we hitch to for
pub nights). Our only other volunteer is Bryn from New Zealand
who leaves to work in London next month - where there's alot
of illegal jobs available as waiters or bartenders in their many
pubs. I want a typewriter! I checked one out with
Donna in Netanya's mall last week that can write Hebrew
or English for $500. The other one with a word processor I
want is more. My Biblical chart PRIEST-KING - The Twin Pillars
of Israel is almost finished, then I need to pretty it up &
get it published - then I can concentrate on finishing my politico-religious book
The Grand Design. I also have a suggestion for a monument
for the living at Jerusalem's Yad V'Shem, expressing FAITH in GOD
& Hope for the Future, so you can leave depressing Yad V'Shem
with HOPE & not despair, FAITH & not fear. I feel it's an
inspired idea I'll submit soon. Hopefully one day you'll
see its dedication on TV. Don't be surprised when
I'm in the news, making news. Ha! Seriously...
Dale, we all agree short hair is most
becoming you.
(4)
Since I can't write everyone (Carla, Tony, etc.), Leslye, Bill
I hope they understand you can relay all info. about me since
you're "in the know." I have thought of them all.
We've had fun with Tonya & I remember getting "gullotized"
with Nurse & Carla at divine Ponderosa's. How good that sounds!
So far this week I've spent about $150 on food - like I planned, but
it's nothing, the food I've bought was just peanut butter, oatmeal, eggs,
pastries, Nescafe coffee, cheese, chocolate spread for bread - sounds sick
but everyone eats it on bread, now even me - Israelized. On a moshav you get paid, but buy your own food.
I feel so comfortable in Israel, it's almost just like living in
another state, not a different country since I'm so familiar with
the good, the bad & the ugly here. In spite of Israel's
many problems, & bullshit way of doing things, etc. I still
love this young, but ancient, country. The people need to learn
civil manners tho' & not be so crude - like too many of
them are & think nothing of it. Good manners are almost
considered a weakness here in this macho-military society.
Ramon's wife Ginger is supposed to have their child
any day now. Carl Brown wrote me last wk. so did
Mama Evans (whom I miss dearly). Yusuf's hurt I haven't
written yet, but I told Carl Yusuf can also write, but I'll send
my brother a postcard soon. I hope you like the picture
Donna took of me. I've made copies to send instead of
Hanukka cards since I happen to like it. I wasn't going to
let her take it originally. Imagine no Xmas lines, decorations,
snow. Such is Israel, except probably Nazareth & Bethlehem.
We're waiting for Hanukka. I hope to spend a few days in
Jerusalem for it. Well, write me at my new address.
Love ya's, David P.S.
(continued on the back of the page)
I was laughing telling Donna recently
about our Florida Death trip, death flight, death rays,
death pool, death march, death row, death drinks, etc.
Plus the "blackmail" death pictures
those guys from London took of
my ragged, lily-white, sinful self. uh-hum...
you know what I mean. Ha! help!
later,
it's BED-TIME,
I'm
tired.
I need
a little
Beauty-sleep
since
I'll
be the
BIG
30 soon!
P.S.S.
Stella!
Remember risking our lives
walking to buy a bottle, in Ft. Lauderdale,
walking past blacks
with rocks in our hands
and on our way there those
people in the car at the red-light
snorting something about prostitution/
Makes ya feel like Polyster...Persecuted!
(back of Air Mail envelope says: Careful photos enclosed
and gives Kibbutz Regavim as the address - must be where some of the loose pictures came from).
Dec. 9, 1989
Moshav Kfar Hayyim,
Israel/8:40 p.m.
Shalom! (written in Hebrew)
I'm listening to Rita as I write you.
She's a famous Israeli singer I love. I'll
send you some of her songs sometime - all of them
are in Hebrew but 1 or 2 albums, but you'd still like the tunes.
So far I've received all your mail & have appreciated your letters.
I about fell over dead when you wrote me Steve! Do it again -
it was great. I've written Eric in Columbus. Thanx for the
pictures. I really like them & so did everyone else. Donna
said to tell you both, again, she'd like to meet you since you both
seem so fun. If she didn't hate kids, wasn't for abortion, and was
Jewish, I told her I'd marry her. Michal's really in love,
I guess, with me. I was french-kissing her Friday night
when Donna, Ann & I hitched to Sdot Yam for a prearranged
redezvous with some Dutch girls we had studied with, also
with Celeste from S. Afrika. The "Dutch connection" just returned
from 3 sun-tanned wks. in Egypt. Donna & Ann go there for a
month next Monday. This Thursday is my last work day here,
then I spend the night at Sdot Yam with Mark (London). Friday
we go to Kibbutz Regavim to continue our Hebrew classes. I'm
actually anxious - thank God - to study again & only work part-time.
Donna & I are really going to miss each other. She plans on
coming to stay with me for a few days when she comes back
from Mitzraim (Egypt). She's either going then to some
moshav or kibbutz or back to London...
For several days last week, for some reason unknown, I
(2)
really missed Dean & wanted to be with him, but thankfully
the feeling has passed, besides I got rid of my trick
addresses awhile ago to help me remain spiritually sober
& celibate, which is pretty difficult sometimes, but worth
a noble try. Donna & I discuss how 1 night stands
are a damned lie, yet we also acknowledge the temporary
thrill of adventure, adrenalin & lustful excitement that's
so addicting, so alluring, for 1 more "fix"...
Donna notices guys really watching me down in the pub & agrees
with me that certain ones would have sex with me. But actually
I don't want to get distracted, drug down & out & bear the
heavy burden of guilt. Shame - Diana Ross... I can't believe I've
been gone from Amerika for almost 1/2 yr! It seems like I left
yesterday. Sometimes I miss the security of my own private apt.
but I'll have a home someday in Jerusalem with '150 babies'...ha!
I know I'd be bored in Toledo, that it'd seem like I had
never left, the same old song & dance, same tired crowd with their
exaggerated attitudes & sad looks in the "gay" bars, as
happy as the make-up the drag-queens cake on their confused
faces... Oh, well - point made. I know you understand.
At least in Israel - also imperfect - I continually meet new
people from all over the world, tour at least once a month & am
where I've chosen to be, dictating my own destiny, not just
being swept away by events beyond my control, because I've
taken control, besides being FREE in ISRAEL
(3)
is far better than being imprisoned in America for 6 months to
3 yrs! Such a scary thought! I wonder if Danny every
got out... Donna, Ann & I headed south to the desert,
next to Jordan's border & mountains but only enjoyed 2 nights
there under a full moon at Moshav Iddan because they
couldn't use us for only 1 month, so we went back to the
Moshav office in Tel Aviv & arranged to work for this most
friendly South African family. We're near Netanya, north of
Tel Aviv, just south of Sdot Yam (where we hitch to for
pub nights). Our only other volunteer is Bryn from New Zealand
who leaves to work in London next month - where there's alot
of illegal jobs available as waiters or bartenders in their many
pubs. I want a typewriter! I checked one out with
Donna in Netanya's mall last week that can write Hebrew
or English for $500. The other one with a word processor I
want is more. My Biblical chart PRIEST-KING - The Twin Pillars
of Israel is almost finished, then I need to pretty it up &
get it published - then I can concentrate on finishing my politico-religious book
The Grand Design. I also have a suggestion for a monument
for the living at Jerusalem's Yad V'Shem, expressing FAITH in GOD
& Hope for the Future, so you can leave depressing Yad V'Shem
with HOPE & not despair, FAITH & not fear. I feel it's an
inspired idea I'll submit soon. Hopefully one day you'll
see its dedication on TV. Don't be surprised when
I'm in the news, making news. Ha! Seriously...
Dale, we all agree short hair is most
becoming you.
(4)
Since I can't write everyone (Carla, Tony, etc.), Leslye, Bill
I hope they understand you can relay all info. about me since
you're "in the know." I have thought of them all.
We've had fun with Tonya & I remember getting "gullotized"
with Nurse & Carla at divine Ponderosa's. How good that sounds!
So far this week I've spent about $150 on food - like I planned, but
it's nothing, the food I've bought was just peanut butter, oatmeal, eggs,
pastries, Nescafe coffee, cheese, chocolate spread for bread - sounds sick
but everyone eats it on bread, now even me - Israelized. On a moshav you get paid, but buy your own food.
I feel so comfortable in Israel, it's almost just like living in
another state, not a different country since I'm so familiar with
the good, the bad & the ugly here. In spite of Israel's
many problems, & bullshit way of doing things, etc. I still
love this young, but ancient, country. The people need to learn
civil manners tho' & not be so crude - like too many of
them are & think nothing of it. Good manners are almost
considered a weakness here in this macho-military society.
Ramon's wife Ginger is supposed to have their child
any day now. Carl Brown wrote me last wk. so did
Mama Evans (whom I miss dearly). Yusuf's hurt I haven't
written yet, but I told Carl Yusuf can also write, but I'll send
my brother a postcard soon. I hope you like the picture
Donna took of me. I've made copies to send instead of
Hanukka cards since I happen to like it. I wasn't going to
let her take it originally. Imagine no Xmas lines, decorations,
snow. Such is Israel, except probably Nazareth & Bethlehem.
We're waiting for Hanukka. I hope to spend a few days in
Jerusalem for it. Well, write me at my new address.
Love ya's, David P.S.
(continued on the back of the page)
I was laughing telling Donna recently
about our Florida Death trip, death flight, death rays,
death pool, death march, death row, death drinks, etc.
Plus the "blackmail" death pictures
those guys from London took of
my ragged, lily-white, sinful self. uh-hum...
you know what I mean. Ha! help!
later,
it's BED-TIME,
I'm
tired.
I need
a little
Beauty-sleep
since
I'll
be the
BIG
30 soon!
P.S.S.
Stella!
Remember risking our lives
walking to buy a bottle, in Ft. Lauderdale,
walking past blacks
with rocks in our hands
and on our way there those
people in the car at the red-light
snorting something about prostitution/
Makes ya feel like Polyster...Persecuted!
(back of Air Mail envelope says: Careful photos enclosed
and gives Kibbutz Regavim as the address - must be where some of the loose pictures came from).
End of Ulpan at Sdot Yam
Aerogramme
Oct. 13, '89
Sdot Yam,
Israel
2:30 p.m.
Dear Steve & Dale, Shalom! (in Hebrew)
It's Friday & is it ever raining! When it rains here it
pours. I was supposed to pick oranges today from 7:30-
4, but I ate breakfast, came back here to my room, read the Jerusalem Post
newspaper & slept. A French couple just left. They
used to be in our Hebrew class, but left for a Kibbutz on Lebanon's
border. All their volunteers are on a 3 day trip around Israel
so they stopped here since it's raining - but now they'll visit the
Roman Amphitheater w/their group. A good-looking American was with them.
It hurt us to hear about the Calif. earthquake. You identify with &
love the U.S. more when you're away from it. Since our holy days
of Rosh HaShana & Yom Kippur I haven't been "bad." I plan on
staying "sober & celibate," tired of living a lie - going against
my conscience. We recently toured a Bedouin camp, Mt. Tabor
where Jesus' transfiguration is believed to have occurred; Mt. Gilboa
where Israel's first King, Saul, died following a fierce battle;
Nahalal - one of Israel's first Jewish agricultural communities; Valley
of Jezreel - Israel's biggest & most fertile; Sakhne - a
beautiful area to picnic & swim, etc. I was honored to offer
explanations about the Biblical significance of what we were
visiting. Last Monday I went to Jerusalem to participate
in a very highly publicized event - very controversial -
a group called The Faithful of the Temple Mount attempted
to lay the "cornerstone" of the Third Temple. Tremendous
politico-religious ramifications involved. A soldier handed me
an Israeli flag, so I was numbered among the "scores
of flag-waving marchers." It was historic, even tho' I
don't believe the Temple will be built until Christ comes,
I agree that Jews - not Arabs only - should also be
able to pray where our Temple once stood.
Our ulpan (Hebrew course) finishes next month, so I must
decide soon whether to immediately continue to the next
level at another kibbutz N. east of here, or move south
for the winter in our desert, the Negev, or what.
Decisions, decisions... Meanwhile address any mail -
if you ever write - to the address on back until I give you
a different one./ Just took a break to eat an apple & gab w/Celeste from
Cape Town, South Africa. Carl Brown wrote me yesterday. It was great
hearing from him. It's sad that all of us Hebrew students are
going our separate ways because we all feel like we really are
Family - it's great. Donna from England - always teases she'll
marry me - & I plan to meet in so many months in Eilat. It's
a resort at the farthest southern tip of Israel on the Gulf of
Aqaba. A Dutch friend leaves today back to Holland, but
she's returning in Jan. or Feb. She's got an Israeli
boyfriend. Tonight is Sabbath eve, ending our 7 day Feast of
Tabernacles (Sukkot) & beginning Simhat Torah - a single day
Biblical Feast. Sun's finally shining now. Every day is still in
the 80's, but cool at night next to the Sea. I'll miss the
sound of the Surf. Take care. Write. David
(written on the back of the aerogramme) -
David Ben-Ariel, c/o Miriam Weiss
Kibbutz Ramat Yohanan
30035 Israel
P.S.
Has that song
by Shana
We heard in
Florida -
"I want you, I need
you" -
come to Ohio
yet? If so
send me the
cassette. I'll
pay you in a year. Ha!
PSS.
One of my dreams
came true yesterday -
I rode a horse
on the
beach!
P.S.S.S.
If I didn't live here
I'd choose Ft. Lauderdale - 110,000 Jews there
233,000 in Miami.
Oct. 13, '89
Sdot Yam,
Israel
2:30 p.m.
Dear Steve & Dale, Shalom! (in Hebrew)
It's Friday & is it ever raining! When it rains here it
pours. I was supposed to pick oranges today from 7:30-
4, but I ate breakfast, came back here to my room, read the Jerusalem Post
newspaper & slept. A French couple just left. They
used to be in our Hebrew class, but left for a Kibbutz on Lebanon's
border. All their volunteers are on a 3 day trip around Israel
so they stopped here since it's raining - but now they'll visit the
Roman Amphitheater w/their group. A good-looking American was with them.
It hurt us to hear about the Calif. earthquake. You identify with &
love the U.S. more when you're away from it. Since our holy days
of Rosh HaShana & Yom Kippur I haven't been "bad." I plan on
staying "sober & celibate," tired of living a lie - going against
my conscience. We recently toured a Bedouin camp, Mt. Tabor
where Jesus' transfiguration is believed to have occurred; Mt. Gilboa
where Israel's first King, Saul, died following a fierce battle;
Nahalal - one of Israel's first Jewish agricultural communities; Valley
of Jezreel - Israel's biggest & most fertile; Sakhne - a
beautiful area to picnic & swim, etc. I was honored to offer
explanations about the Biblical significance of what we were
visiting. Last Monday I went to Jerusalem to participate
in a very highly publicized event - very controversial -
a group called The Faithful of the Temple Mount attempted
to lay the "cornerstone" of the Third Temple. Tremendous
politico-religious ramifications involved. A soldier handed me
an Israeli flag, so I was numbered among the "scores
of flag-waving marchers." It was historic, even tho' I
don't believe the Temple will be built until Christ comes,
I agree that Jews - not Arabs only - should also be
able to pray where our Temple once stood.
Our ulpan (Hebrew course) finishes next month, so I must
decide soon whether to immediately continue to the next
level at another kibbutz N. east of here, or move south
for the winter in our desert, the Negev, or what.
Decisions, decisions... Meanwhile address any mail -
if you ever write - to the address on back until I give you
a different one./ Just took a break to eat an apple & gab w/Celeste from
Cape Town, South Africa. Carl Brown wrote me yesterday. It was great
hearing from him. It's sad that all of us Hebrew students are
going our separate ways because we all feel like we really are
Family - it's great. Donna from England - always teases she'll
marry me - & I plan to meet in so many months in Eilat. It's
a resort at the farthest southern tip of Israel on the Gulf of
Aqaba. A Dutch friend leaves today back to Holland, but
she's returning in Jan. or Feb. She's got an Israeli
boyfriend. Tonight is Sabbath eve, ending our 7 day Feast of
Tabernacles (Sukkot) & beginning Simhat Torah - a single day
Biblical Feast. Sun's finally shining now. Every day is still in
the 80's, but cool at night next to the Sea. I'll miss the
sound of the Surf. Take care. Write. David
(written on the back of the aerogramme) -
David Ben-Ariel, c/o Miriam Weiss
Kibbutz Ramat Yohanan
30035 Israel
P.S.
Has that song
by Shana
We heard in
Florida -
"I want you, I need
you" -
come to Ohio
yet? If so
send me the
cassette. I'll
pay you in a year. Ha!
PSS.
One of my dreams
came true yesterday -
I rode a horse
on the
beach!
P.S.S.S.
If I didn't live here
I'd choose Ft. Lauderdale - 110,000 Jews there
233,000 in Miami.
Kibbutz Reshafim, Israel
Aerogramme
Sunday, May 27, '90
near Bet-Shean
Israel
Shalom! (Shalom in Hebrew)
By the time you receive this I should be
on my way, with Andreas and/or Donna. We
plan to take the ferry (thank you) on the Mediterranean
from Haifa, Israel (their biggest port) to the Island of
Rhodes for one night, carry on to Cyprus for a
few hours en route to Athens, Greece where
we want to spend 2-3 nights (I already know where
their Gay bars are, thanks to travel books). Then we
hitch through Greece, Yugoslavia & Austria to Frankfurt,
Germany for a wk. Then on to Holland and London
to N.Y. to Detroit to Toledo! Then Florida &
back to Israel (in Hebrew/English) - Destiny-willing.
Last Wed. I "led" a contingent of volunteers (Donna,
Christ, Andreas, Phyliss) hitching through the Arab-occupied
"West Bank" to Jericho to Jerusalem for JERUSALEM DAY -
a day celebrating Jerusalem's reunification (after 2,000 yrs)
during the miracalous 6 day war of '67, & declaring
Jerusalem again as Israel's Eternal Capital - world
opinion & Arab pressure notwithstanding. We went to
the Wall, the Temple Mount (where I had to wear a robe
since I had on jean shorts), walked, waded
through Hezekiah's Tunnel, saw some famous soccer sports
star from Argentina - Maradonna, etc. Last Sat.
night I went to our regular 2 bars in Bet-Shean,
picked up a trick, had sex, went back to the
dance bar, and leaving w/friends got into a
fight with this idiot everyone hates - who
came at me first with cut glass, later with a bully club (nice fellow), but thankfully I kick
high & well - I waited 'till he got just close enough,
kicked him twice in the chest & punched him
twice in the face, busting his lip. He didn't hit
me once, Thank God! Life goes on...
Love,
The Blond Bomber!
Sunday, May 27, '90
near Bet-Shean
Israel
Shalom! (Shalom in Hebrew)
By the time you receive this I should be
on my way, with Andreas and/or Donna. We
plan to take the ferry (thank you) on the Mediterranean
from Haifa, Israel (their biggest port) to the Island of
Rhodes for one night, carry on to Cyprus for a
few hours en route to Athens, Greece where
we want to spend 2-3 nights (I already know where
their Gay bars are, thanks to travel books). Then we
hitch through Greece, Yugoslavia & Austria to Frankfurt,
Germany for a wk. Then on to Holland and London
to N.Y. to Detroit to Toledo! Then Florida &
back to Israel (in Hebrew/English) - Destiny-willing.
Last Wed. I "led" a contingent of volunteers (Donna,
Christ, Andreas, Phyliss) hitching through the Arab-occupied
"West Bank" to Jericho to Jerusalem for JERUSALEM DAY -
a day celebrating Jerusalem's reunification (after 2,000 yrs)
during the miracalous 6 day war of '67, & declaring
Jerusalem again as Israel's Eternal Capital - world
opinion & Arab pressure notwithstanding. We went to
the Wall, the Temple Mount (where I had to wear a robe
since I had on jean shorts), walked, waded
through Hezekiah's Tunnel, saw some famous soccer sports
star from Argentina - Maradonna, etc. Last Sat.
night I went to our regular 2 bars in Bet-Shean,
picked up a trick, had sex, went back to the
dance bar, and leaving w/friends got into a
fight with this idiot everyone hates - who
came at me first with cut glass, later with a bully club (nice fellow), but thankfully I kick
high & well - I waited 'till he got just close enough,
kicked him twice in the chest & punched him
twice in the face, busting his lip. He didn't hit
me once, Thank God! Life goes on...
Love,
The Blond Bomber!
Drinking Beer in Munich
In with Steve's tightly packed stack of letters/cards etc. (stored in a tan Stetson bag) was this picture of me holding up a stein of beer (which I hate) sitting at a table outside Lowenbrau's with a blue & white checkered table cloth with a waitress in the background dressed in a pink dress with a white apron heading into the place with her white apron:
'89
Cheers!
Attempting
to drink
German beer
In Munich!
I bought the
"Jewish Star"
in London
after Lisa
pointed it out
to me.
Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel
Aug. 20, 1989
Israel
8:24 p.m.
Stella!
Girl I'm just hanging out tonight w/my friends from Yisrael, S. Afrika & Hungary. Graham (my roommate) from Calif. & I now have this room to ourselves. Our roommate Shandor (Alex)
from Hungary moved to a bigger room. This last friday was a "romantic evening" - since it was a full moon they had a special performance of singing, dancing - everyone was to dress in white. We drank vodka & vodka & more vodka. Then the Kibbutz pub opened up & I danced 'till death as usual... Omer, 18 yrs. old - kept telling me how good I dance.
This girl from Jerusalem visiting here likes me, but she's not my type. Omer & the others keep
telling me now to go walk w/them on the beach but I said I have to write you & practice my Hebrew lessons since I have class mahar (tomorrow) after I work in the bananna groves. After
dancing Fri. night 'till 3 I left the pub which was still packed to walk alone on the beach under the full moon, listening to the surf, looking at the stars... 2 guys who had a bonfire going walked past me to swim in the big waves. NAKED! I sat down & waited for them to come back in... They asked if I wanted coffee so I said sure, why not & sat & talked in between their 2 naked bodies until 5:30 in the morning... Nir & Yoash was their names.... Then I slept 'till 4:45 Sat. eve. & got up to see Kristina's (from Yugoslavia) boyfriend from Israel come w/her brother (cute)
Vladimir (who stays on a southern kibbutz) w/some hunk (21 yrs. old) who I introduced myself to. His name is Avi (Abraham). We were together from 5:00 until 10:00. We went to the beach together. Then he bought me J.B. & water at a bar on the beach....He gave me his address & phone no. We had a number of pictures taken together. I thought about him all today... I'd better study. Write me!
More later.
Love,
David
(On the back of the aerogramme is my address at Kibbutz Sdot Yam in Hebrew & English).
P.S.
Now Susan from Germany,
very cute, invited me to come &
sit w/some others but I have to study!
Israel
8:24 p.m.
Stella!
Girl I'm just hanging out tonight w/my friends from Yisrael, S. Afrika & Hungary. Graham (my roommate) from Calif. & I now have this room to ourselves. Our roommate Shandor (Alex)
from Hungary moved to a bigger room. This last friday was a "romantic evening" - since it was a full moon they had a special performance of singing, dancing - everyone was to dress in white. We drank vodka & vodka & more vodka. Then the Kibbutz pub opened up & I danced 'till death as usual... Omer, 18 yrs. old - kept telling me how good I dance.
This girl from Jerusalem visiting here likes me, but she's not my type. Omer & the others keep
telling me now to go walk w/them on the beach but I said I have to write you & practice my Hebrew lessons since I have class mahar (tomorrow) after I work in the bananna groves. After
dancing Fri. night 'till 3 I left the pub which was still packed to walk alone on the beach under the full moon, listening to the surf, looking at the stars... 2 guys who had a bonfire going walked past me to swim in the big waves. NAKED! I sat down & waited for them to come back in... They asked if I wanted coffee so I said sure, why not & sat & talked in between their 2 naked bodies until 5:30 in the morning... Nir & Yoash was their names.... Then I slept 'till 4:45 Sat. eve. & got up to see Kristina's (from Yugoslavia) boyfriend from Israel come w/her brother (cute)
Vladimir (who stays on a southern kibbutz) w/some hunk (21 yrs. old) who I introduced myself to. His name is Avi (Abraham). We were together from 5:00 until 10:00. We went to the beach together. Then he bought me J.B. & water at a bar on the beach....He gave me his address & phone no. We had a number of pictures taken together. I thought about him all today... I'd better study. Write me!
More later.
Love,
David
(On the back of the aerogramme is my address at Kibbutz Sdot Yam in Hebrew & English).
P.S.
Now Susan from Germany,
very cute, invited me to come &
sit w/some others but I have to study!
Kibbutz Adamit, Israel
Oct. 6, 1990
Kibbutz Adamit
Israel
Dear Steve & Dale, Shalom! (shalom written in Hebrew)
I'm listening to Sinead O'Connor - by myself. John moved out to another room yesterday, since he said it would make it easier for both of us. I told him in Amerika that my goal was to eventually quit living a lie, going against my conscience, and live spiritually again, fulfilling my reason for living. Well it's all easier said than done. I still have my emotions & my hormones too. We've argued off & on for various reasons. I'm know I'm usually too critical & can be cold & cruel, like saying he's too queenly, idolizes Madonna, trys to appear sweet &
innocent & isn't - sound familiar? - etc. Also he'll want to cuddle & I'm too hot or want my space.... So he's talking about going back to America since he can't stand or handle just being my friend or only a roommate....that I'd love to settle down & quit being a wandering Jew - that I'm basing my whole life & happiness - basically - on the belief Destiny or God or Providence wants me to become successful in the Middle East - with my charts, books, etc. Time will tell. He loved that I "finally" opened up to him. I still can't find Donna. I wrote her mother, who wrote me back also wondering where Donna is. She last called home from Jerusalem 8 wks. ago. I want to move south within a month or so. War looks inevitable. I told John if he's in America & I get killed at least he can say he knew someone "over there." I'm reading a good novel by Maisie Mosco called FROM THE BITTER LAND "A Family Saga of Tragedy, Triumph, Passion and Faith." I'm almost finished, so I got its sequel from the Library tonight called SCATTERED SEED. I watched Tootsie w/John last night. It was really good. Yesterday I got a letter from mom. She said you called her. I fasted a week ago for Yom Kippur. Now is the Feast of Tabernacles. I plan on spending 2 nights w/Miriam this week. I spent 2 there for the "Jewish New Year." I'll close with a copy of a poem I gave to John (on the other side). I work in the avocadoes tomorrow, starting at 5.
Night.
Love,
David (in Hebrew & English)
P.S.
Tell Tony, Leslye & Bill, your mom, etc. Shalom please.
I didn't mean to break your heart
But I told you so from the start
I didn't want to cause you pain
But we both know nothing will change
Now there's no sunshine in our eyes
Only cold and rain and sighs
We were together, so we tried
Something was born, something has died
I didn't want to break your heart
But I told you so from the start
I didn't want to cause you pain
But we both know love's no ball & chain
We've gotta give ourselves a chance to grow
"Time heals all wounds," so we've been told
We've suffered the storm, so where's the rainbow?
We've crossed many bridges & watched the water flow
I didn't mean to break your heart
I didn't want to see you cry
I never knew that it'd be so hard
to say goodbye & fall apart...
He's also written me poems.
Maybe I'll remember to send them later.
(Written on back of an Air Mail envelope)
P.S. Shannon will be "13" Oct. 19. Shane turned "11" last month. Punks...I love them!
P.S.S.
I'm sure John would say to SEND HIS LOVE.
Kibbutz Adamit
Israel
Dear Steve & Dale, Shalom! (shalom written in Hebrew)
I'm listening to Sinead O'Connor - by myself. John moved out to another room yesterday, since he said it would make it easier for both of us. I told him in Amerika that my goal was to eventually quit living a lie, going against my conscience, and live spiritually again, fulfilling my reason for living. Well it's all easier said than done. I still have my emotions & my hormones too. We've argued off & on for various reasons. I'm know I'm usually too critical & can be cold & cruel, like saying he's too queenly, idolizes Madonna, trys to appear sweet &
innocent & isn't - sound familiar? - etc. Also he'll want to cuddle & I'm too hot or want my space.... So he's talking about going back to America since he can't stand or handle just being my friend or only a roommate....that I'd love to settle down & quit being a wandering Jew - that I'm basing my whole life & happiness - basically - on the belief Destiny or God or Providence wants me to become successful in the Middle East - with my charts, books, etc. Time will tell. He loved that I "finally" opened up to him. I still can't find Donna. I wrote her mother, who wrote me back also wondering where Donna is. She last called home from Jerusalem 8 wks. ago. I want to move south within a month or so. War looks inevitable. I told John if he's in America & I get killed at least he can say he knew someone "over there." I'm reading a good novel by Maisie Mosco called FROM THE BITTER LAND "A Family Saga of Tragedy, Triumph, Passion and Faith." I'm almost finished, so I got its sequel from the Library tonight called SCATTERED SEED. I watched Tootsie w/John last night. It was really good. Yesterday I got a letter from mom. She said you called her. I fasted a week ago for Yom Kippur. Now is the Feast of Tabernacles. I plan on spending 2 nights w/Miriam this week. I spent 2 there for the "Jewish New Year." I'll close with a copy of a poem I gave to John (on the other side). I work in the avocadoes tomorrow, starting at 5.
Night.
Love,
David (in Hebrew & English)
P.S.
Tell Tony, Leslye & Bill, your mom, etc. Shalom please.
I didn't mean to break your heart
But I told you so from the start
I didn't want to cause you pain
But we both know nothing will change
Now there's no sunshine in our eyes
Only cold and rain and sighs
We were together, so we tried
Something was born, something has died
I didn't want to break your heart
But I told you so from the start
I didn't want to cause you pain
But we both know love's no ball & chain
We've gotta give ourselves a chance to grow
"Time heals all wounds," so we've been told
We've suffered the storm, so where's the rainbow?
We've crossed many bridges & watched the water flow
I didn't mean to break your heart
I didn't want to see you cry
I never knew that it'd be so hard
to say goodbye & fall apart...
He's also written me poems.
Maybe I'll remember to send them later.
(Written on back of an Air Mail envelope)
P.S. Shannon will be "13" Oct. 19. Shane turned "11" last month. Punks...I love them!
P.S.S.
I'm sure John would say to SEND HIS LOVE.
Kibbutz Dan during Operation Desert Storm
Aerogramme from Israel
January 22, 1991
Kibbutz Dan,
Israel
10:25 pm.
Shalom Steve,
Like shit there's "shalom"
here! We've just gone through
another alert. Actually it was
around 8:45 because we were
watching the Cosby show way up near the
Dining Room when the alert came on TV.
The assholes stood up & then stayed put
saying "maybe it's just a false alarm." I
said, "Maybe it's not!" And with John & a
few others, started running (with our gas masks
we have to carry around everywhere) to our
room. We heard the sirens start in the
distance & then ours finally came on.
Then everyone came running. I'm in a
bitchy mood because if they want to fuck
with their lives that's their prerogative,
but I don't want John & I - who've followed
all precautions - to die because of their
stupidity! They're supposed to be (3 of them)
in our prepared room & then John & I have
to quickly (wearing our masks) tape up the
door with the nylon plastic & also the
entrance into our bedroom. Every second
we wait for them we wait for gas or
bombs! We also just got T shirts
tonight that read: Iraq Attack - Life is a Gas.
I think they're premature. Plus if even one
person dies, they're in bad taste & insensitive.
Hopefully this will all "blow ever," our nerves will
settle & I'll see you - in an excellent mood -
in America soon!
Love ya,
David
January 22, 1991
Kibbutz Dan,
Israel
10:25 pm.
Shalom Steve,
Like shit there's "shalom"
here! We've just gone through
another alert. Actually it was
around 8:45 because we were
watching the Cosby show way up near the
Dining Room when the alert came on TV.
The assholes stood up & then stayed put
saying "maybe it's just a false alarm." I
said, "Maybe it's not!" And with John & a
few others, started running (with our gas masks
we have to carry around everywhere) to our
room. We heard the sirens start in the
distance & then ours finally came on.
Then everyone came running. I'm in a
bitchy mood because if they want to fuck
with their lives that's their prerogative,
but I don't want John & I - who've followed
all precautions - to die because of their
stupidity! They're supposed to be (3 of them)
in our prepared room & then John & I have
to quickly (wearing our masks) tape up the
door with the nylon plastic & also the
entrance into our bedroom. Every second
we wait for them we wait for gas or
bombs! We also just got T shirts
tonight that read: Iraq Attack - Life is a Gas.
I think they're premature. Plus if even one
person dies, they're in bad taste & insensitive.
Hopefully this will all "blow ever," our nerves will
settle & I'll see you - in an excellent mood -
in America soon!
Love ya,
David
HOTEL DES BALANCES
HOTEL DES BALANCES
Written on stationery from Hotel Des Balances, Luzern, Switzerland
sent in a Tel-Aviv Sheraton Hotel envelope
July 11, 1989
Tel Aviv,
Israel
11:45 A.M.
(1)
Stella Child!
Shalom! I've just returned from getting my hair trimmed at "Mario Vanzana" - that's the name of the cute guy (only my age) who owns it. He has 2 others, another cute guy named
Yisrael who washed my hair, and a pretty girl named Muriel - work for him. He trimmed my hair himself & gave me his card. Of course I let them all know I'm gay. I've been killing my VISA card for days. I have a $500 limit. Right now it's probably up to $1500. I went to a gay bar in London called Brief Encounter - it was packed. Some guy tried to pick me up who wasn't bad looking but I wanted to wait & see if I could find someone better. You have to call mom &
see our pictures. Belgium countryside was beautiful. Cologne, Germany was massive, our cruise down the Rhine past castles was divine. In Manheim, Germany a man picked me up on the street, or tried to - real blunt - asked what sex I like, but I thought again - tho' he wasn't anything to be ashamed of, I'd wait. I went to a couple straight bars there & fell in love with this "straight" bartender who definitely knew I was cruising him - I couldn't take my eyes off him. He took my address in Israel... I tried to get in this private club & couldn't, so I went
back to talk again & a man around 40 heard me say I couldn't get in & said he'd get me in & did. I had fun. Germany & Austria have beautiful scenery & mountains. We visited Salzburg where Mozart was born, then carried on to Vienna where I met "straight" Andreas (Andy) - 18 yrs. old - in the subway. He was going to show me where discos were when I said I'd just go with him to his hard rock bar "Graffitti." We arranged to meet again the next day. So his "girlfriend" Maria & him came to our lavish hotel near Vienna's famous palace - where we stayed originally was
for the Emperor's guests only - heads of state. We drank Johnny Walker Red & water in our room. Mom took pictures of us - & then we went to Graffitti (the straight men were gorgeous) & then to
(2)
this gay bar called WHY NOT. I said they could just take me there & leave but they both wanted to come in. So later... & then went home with an Arab/Greek to practically a penthouse. He's a doctor... In Germany I forgot to say I met gorgeous Norwegians who all know I'm gay & yet flocked around me like I was a star. They invited me to Norway & said they'd take me dancing. In Austria we visited where "the Sound of Music" was filmed. In Venice, Italy we rode the Gondola (cute gondoliers) & while I was looking for a bar I met an Italian who didn't know English who supposedly was taking me to a bar - we ended up at his apartment... In Venice we also sunbathed on the beach on the Gulf that leads to the Adriatic Sea. In Rome we visited the Vatican, coliseum, where Ben-Hur was filmed etc. I went to Rome's #1 gay bar - TABASCO - & met up with a gorgeous surgeon from Manhattan. He wanted me to fly to Paris w/him for a week & told me to stay with him whenever I come back to America. We walked on this "Lover's Bridge" - I'm ahead of myself - I met that guy in Florence, Italy. In Rome I went to L'Alibi & met up with 2 stewards of Alitalia & their straight stewardess roomate. The one guy & I hugged & kissed & danced but weren't able to get together because he didn't drive that night. How frustrating! He thought I was beautiful. He gave me his address - they live in a wealthy section 25 miles from Rome on the beach. My tour director - Audrey (who I shared all dirt with) said that place was gorgeous. He said I can stay with them anytime. Later some young gypsys pickpocketed me of his address & when I realized it I realized they'd throw it down as worthless, so I went back
(3)
to the spot & found it! Near the Colisseum. We visited lovely Lugano, Switzerland & then stayed in an awesome scenery Lucerne on the River, near their lake...I went to 1 gay bar, a casino & a straight bar w/wild bisexuals only 10 minutes from our hotel, blacked out, wandered around 'til 5:30 before I found my way back to the hotel for our 6:30 wake up call...Audrey kept commenting how good I looked for all I put myself through... In Paris I finally found their bar called BOY but was too shook up because I saw 4 niggers rob a gorgeous white French guy w/a gun, so I went back to Hotel Sofitel's lounge for a much needed cocktail to calm my nerves. The night before I flew here Lisa & I hugged & kissed goodbye & cried. She took it real hard & said she'd miss me. Mom started crying & told us "not to start." I lay in bed for hours quietly crying & going through all the fun times we shared on the trip. Like mom starting to get on the wrong tour bus, me getting off on the wrong floor & Lisa shutting the doors leaving me, etc. Yesterday I laid on the beach for several hours. Israels sun is more "deadly" than Floridas. I want to lay out now but can't or I'll lose it all. Ilan & I ... Walking to the beach this 17? yr. old sighed - sitting on stairs - and said "You're beautiful!"
(4)
I said, "So are you." He said "What?" - I said, "You're gorgeous," smiled & walked on. Why, I'll never know why I didn't go back to him! How crazy! You'd love him. Then last night near that Fire & Water thing I sent you a postcard of I cruised (shyly) this gorgeous guy who I thought might be cruising me. Naturally, I had to start the conversation, but then it went wonderfully, He's from N.Y., studying medicine, but here as a volunteer on a military hospital north of here. He took my kibbutz name. Now I think I'll go do laundry. $7 for a load! I might stay here a week or two... I'm supposed to be in court tomorrow. Glad I'm here! Oh, also from Frankfurt to Germany I met this very important Israeli industrialist who gave me an autographed copy of his book just published. He's been all over the world & knows so many important people.
Well, Ciao for now.
Darling David
Sorry so sloppy!
TO BE CONTINUED...
(A Hotel Des Balances envelope inside that other envelope had written on the back of it) -
Girlfriend! Where am I? I bought these cute white jean shorts that go to the knee today, with a tank top blue/white that says "Baseball."
P.SS. July 12th
This damn letter has been all over Tel Aviv & Jerusalem w/me but still hasn't been sent. Now I have to write another letter dishing more dirt. I've been drinking at the lounges of Hilton, Ramada, etc. enter the bars alone thinking about you as I'm sitting at the bar. Ilan wasn't so thrilled tonight w/some guy I met on the street in a dark place... ... saw my pictures of Florida & at Bretz & is in lust w/Della... uh hum...
So Della get you & Stella
2 tickets guickly!
****************
Written on stationery from Hotel Des Balances, Luzern, Switzerland
sent in a Tel-Aviv Sheraton Hotel envelope
July 11, 1989
Tel Aviv,
Israel
11:45 A.M.
(1)
Stella Child!
Shalom! I've just returned from getting my hair trimmed at "Mario Vanzana" - that's the name of the cute guy (only my age) who owns it. He has 2 others, another cute guy named
Yisrael who washed my hair, and a pretty girl named Muriel - work for him. He trimmed my hair himself & gave me his card. Of course I let them all know I'm gay. I've been killing my VISA card for days. I have a $500 limit. Right now it's probably up to $1500. I went to a gay bar in London called Brief Encounter - it was packed. Some guy tried to pick me up who wasn't bad looking but I wanted to wait & see if I could find someone better. You have to call mom &
see our pictures. Belgium countryside was beautiful. Cologne, Germany was massive, our cruise down the Rhine past castles was divine. In Manheim, Germany a man picked me up on the street, or tried to - real blunt - asked what sex I like, but I thought again - tho' he wasn't anything to be ashamed of, I'd wait. I went to a couple straight bars there & fell in love with this "straight" bartender who definitely knew I was cruising him - I couldn't take my eyes off him. He took my address in Israel... I tried to get in this private club & couldn't, so I went
back to talk again & a man around 40 heard me say I couldn't get in & said he'd get me in & did. I had fun. Germany & Austria have beautiful scenery & mountains. We visited Salzburg where Mozart was born, then carried on to Vienna where I met "straight" Andreas (Andy) - 18 yrs. old - in the subway. He was going to show me where discos were when I said I'd just go with him to his hard rock bar "Graffitti." We arranged to meet again the next day. So his "girlfriend" Maria & him came to our lavish hotel near Vienna's famous palace - where we stayed originally was
for the Emperor's guests only - heads of state. We drank Johnny Walker Red & water in our room. Mom took pictures of us - & then we went to Graffitti (the straight men were gorgeous) & then to
(2)
this gay bar called WHY NOT. I said they could just take me there & leave but they both wanted to come in. So later... & then went home with an Arab/Greek to practically a penthouse. He's a doctor... In Germany I forgot to say I met gorgeous Norwegians who all know I'm gay & yet flocked around me like I was a star. They invited me to Norway & said they'd take me dancing. In Austria we visited where "the Sound of Music" was filmed. In Venice, Italy we rode the Gondola (cute gondoliers) & while I was looking for a bar I met an Italian who didn't know English who supposedly was taking me to a bar - we ended up at his apartment... In Venice we also sunbathed on the beach on the Gulf that leads to the Adriatic Sea. In Rome we visited the Vatican, coliseum, where Ben-Hur was filmed etc. I went to Rome's #1 gay bar - TABASCO - & met up with a gorgeous surgeon from Manhattan. He wanted me to fly to Paris w/him for a week & told me to stay with him whenever I come back to America. We walked on this "Lover's Bridge" - I'm ahead of myself - I met that guy in Florence, Italy. In Rome I went to L'Alibi & met up with 2 stewards of Alitalia & their straight stewardess roomate. The one guy & I hugged & kissed & danced but weren't able to get together because he didn't drive that night. How frustrating! He thought I was beautiful. He gave me his address - they live in a wealthy section 25 miles from Rome on the beach. My tour director - Audrey (who I shared all dirt with) said that place was gorgeous. He said I can stay with them anytime. Later some young gypsys pickpocketed me of his address & when I realized it I realized they'd throw it down as worthless, so I went back
(3)
to the spot & found it! Near the Colisseum. We visited lovely Lugano, Switzerland & then stayed in an awesome scenery Lucerne on the River, near their lake...I went to 1 gay bar, a casino & a straight bar w/wild bisexuals only 10 minutes from our hotel, blacked out, wandered around 'til 5:30 before I found my way back to the hotel for our 6:30 wake up call...Audrey kept commenting how good I looked for all I put myself through... In Paris I finally found their bar called BOY but was too shook up because I saw 4 niggers rob a gorgeous white French guy w/a gun, so I went back to Hotel Sofitel's lounge for a much needed cocktail to calm my nerves. The night before I flew here Lisa & I hugged & kissed goodbye & cried. She took it real hard & said she'd miss me. Mom started crying & told us "not to start." I lay in bed for hours quietly crying & going through all the fun times we shared on the trip. Like mom starting to get on the wrong tour bus, me getting off on the wrong floor & Lisa shutting the doors leaving me, etc. Yesterday I laid on the beach for several hours. Israels sun is more "deadly" than Floridas. I want to lay out now but can't or I'll lose it all. Ilan & I ... Walking to the beach this 17? yr. old sighed - sitting on stairs - and said "You're beautiful!"
(4)
I said, "So are you." He said "What?" - I said, "You're gorgeous," smiled & walked on. Why, I'll never know why I didn't go back to him! How crazy! You'd love him. Then last night near that Fire & Water thing I sent you a postcard of I cruised (shyly) this gorgeous guy who I thought might be cruising me. Naturally, I had to start the conversation, but then it went wonderfully, He's from N.Y., studying medicine, but here as a volunteer on a military hospital north of here. He took my kibbutz name. Now I think I'll go do laundry. $7 for a load! I might stay here a week or two... I'm supposed to be in court tomorrow. Glad I'm here! Oh, also from Frankfurt to Germany I met this very important Israeli industrialist who gave me an autographed copy of his book just published. He's been all over the world & knows so many important people.
Well, Ciao for now.
Darling David
Sorry so sloppy!
TO BE CONTINUED...
(A Hotel Des Balances envelope inside that other envelope had written on the back of it) -
Girlfriend! Where am I? I bought these cute white jean shorts that go to the knee today, with a tank top blue/white that says "Baseball."
P.SS. July 12th
This damn letter has been all over Tel Aviv & Jerusalem w/me but still hasn't been sent. Now I have to write another letter dishing more dirt. I've been drinking at the lounges of Hilton, Ramada, etc. enter the bars alone thinking about you as I'm sitting at the bar. Ilan wasn't so thrilled tonight w/some guy I met on the street in a dark place... ... saw my pictures of Florida & at Bretz & is in lust w/Della... uh hum...
So Della get you & Stella
2 tickets guickly!
****************
A postcard showing the Tel-Aviv Sheraton Hotel & Towers must have been in the envelope too, since it's in Steve's stack of my cards & letters next without an addrees or postage on it but with this written:
It's beautiful here. (should be for $160 a night) See the beach & pool I swam in. That's the Biblical City in the Coastal background called JOPPA.
Vienna
Norwegians
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