Thulani in Israel, Part One

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Thulani arrives in Israel! Just after he arrived I went to the airport to collect my dad from the airport- he is staying with us for 6 weeks.

We live on the eighth floor of a nine floor apartment building in the city of Ashdod on the coast. Thulani was very impressed with the view from the apartment! I moved to Isreal in 2001 having met my husband to be online. I moved out in the September and we married in the October. Hannah was born in 2003. She is the one holding Thulani at the airport

Thulani is a little worried about being KB (Kosher bear) during his time in Israel but we assured him a kosher diet is very healthy and all that olive oil would make his fur nice and glossy. Late night after all the excitement of Dad arriving.

Thursday 10 February 2011

Today Thulani played with Hani and her new Nintendo DSI which Hani’s granddad brought from the UK- he thought it was great! He met Hani from school and next week he is really looking forward to going to school all day with Hannah.

Friday 11 February 2011

Tonight is Shabbat so mummy is busy tidying and cooking ready for 25 hours of rest- Shabbat starts 1 hour before sunset and lasts until Saturday night 1 hour after sunset. Friday night means all the family gets together for a long leisurely dinner, no telephone, no television and no DSI’s! It’s a lovely chatty time with the table beautifully laid and far too many dishes of food! We don’t mix meat and dairy so no mixing cheese, cream or yoghurt with meat- it makes curries and lasagnes challenging!

Update from Israel

An update from Thulani's host, Rachel, in Israel:

Oooh Thulani has been really busy! We went to Mini Israel which was kind of neat as he did all of Israel without leaving the local area! He managed to fit in an audition for King Kong but some wretched monkey got it but I thought he put in a lot of expression (mainly terrified).

He also went to a kibbutz. Sadly they are not as prevalent in Israel as they once were but he thought it was very interesting. He wondered why there were no cows or sheeps in the field so I gently explained how hot Israel gets in the summer and we dont like to cook our food alive as it were so they stay nice and cool under cover

 

He had his Shabbat here. He found it weird we dont have television or anything on Shabbat and thought it was boring so like the rest of the family - he got some sleep in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we went to the market by the beach. I took a photo but it was really busy so Thunani was held firmly by the paw behind the camera and didnt appear in the shot, I wouldnt like the little fella to get lost you understand!

Above are some photos though they will also appear in the diary - he is loving his time in Israel though he has asked if when he arrives in Australia, could he have a prawn barbeque or maybe a bacon sandwich? The kosher is driving him a little insane you see .....

Hugs

Rachel 

Thulani is in Israel!

Received from Rachel this morning:

Thulani is here! He arrived about two minutes ago and is sitting on the counter getting his breath back after his long journey!

Tonight he is going to the airport in Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) to meet my dad who is coming from England and tomorrow he is going to Gan Yavne to a friends house, then Friday to the beach and after that ... who knows????

Baruch habaitanoo (welcome to our House!)

Thulani in Johannesburg, South Africa – Day 5

DAY 5: MONDAY 31st JANUARY 2011

Thulani joined Ryan at school today. Ryan goes St Stithians College, and is in Gr. 2 this year. St Stithians College is a Methodist Independant School, situated on a large piece of land , north of Johannesburg.
It has, arguably, the best view of Sandton, from it's top playing field.

St Stithians is one of the Elite Seven Schools in South Africa, and is also a member of the G20 group of schools, and the Round Square Conference of International Schools.
The Motto for St Stithians is "One And All" - A South African school making a world of difference.

Thulani in Gauteng - Day Four

DAY 4: SUNDAY 30th JANUARY 2011

Today Thulani joined the Weaver family on a family bike ride.

We are an active family, and like to do family activities on the weekend. Our family consists of:

Daddy Weaver: A Chemical Engineer

Mummy Weaver: A physiotherapist

Ryan Weaver: Age 7

Emily Weaver: Age 4

Luke Weaver: Age 3

We lived in England up until 2 and a half years ago. We make the most of the great climate that Johannesburg has to offer, and love to escape into the bush for short breaks.

Thulani in Gauteng, South Africa - Day 3

DAY 3: SATURDAY 29th JANUARY 2011

This morning Thulani went to cricket with our oldest son Ryan. Ryan plays cricket for one of the oldest sports clubs in Johannesburg: Old Parks.

This evening, Thulani joined us at The Spur. The Spur is a family friendly steak-house that is well known amongst parents with young children. There are playgrounds, face-painters and childrens entertainers at The Spur. Thulani had a great time meeting every-one... but unfortunately, the camera got left at home, so no photo evidence!

He went to bed a very tired bear tonight!! The children are taking it in turns as to whose bed Thulani sleeps in every night!

Thulani in Gauteng - Day 2

DAY 2: FRIDAY 28TH JANUARY 2011

Today, Thulani went to nursery school with our 4yr old daughter, Emily. She attends Land Of Oz Nursery School in Douglasdale.

Thulani had a fun day at school, playing with all the children, playing on the jungle-gym - and he even did Catrobatz, an extra-mural activity, after school!