My childhood years
Our home in the Old City was large enough to accommodate the family, four children a Dutch mother and an Israeli father
The garden with the tall cypress tree next to the terrace Pistacia atlantica overlooking the view of the Meron mountain range.
The house was visible to passers-by on the paved road at 83 Keren Hayesod Street as a one-room apartment
A Hebrew name for our address was 11th Street
My parents came to Safed with one child at the age of 6 to Eretz Israel
Not before graduating from a Dutch university
My mother has light hair and shining green eyes.
Totally Dutch
My father came to the Netherlands on a mission to study
Born in Tel Aviv, my father
After completing his military service, he was born in a small house in Tel Aviv near the Tel Aviv port and the sea
The group of Israeli students were interesting thing for European culture
Ever since the small years of the existence as a State of Israel,
in those days they outlined the term sabras which illustrates that even the thorny fruit of the sabras bush can be carefully peeled carefully and enjoyed its sweetness.
My father and mother met at Menza Campus Restaurant, the fraternity groups of the students in the girls' dormitory
Together with a large number of countries of origin - students who came to the Netherlands for studies and certification
At the end of their school years, they saved some money while working hard and bought a new 1960s Saab car with zero mileage.
After a proper and kosher conversion by a committee of respected rabbis in Paris and Jerusalem, everything was ready for the journey
Driving for the purpose of establishing a home in Israel
They set off driving on roads and dirt roads, so they crossed the continent of Europe until they reached Turkey
from there by ship to the port of Tel Aviv
The surprise was enormous on an international scale and extensive news in Israel and Tel Aviv in particular
Lots of words were said about the meeting and how they immigrated to the Holy Land, especially as a couple in love, beautiful and very naive
The Jewish community hugged warmly and after a few months they got in the car again, this time up north ,to the city of Safed
Safed in those days An empty, quiet, boring place and it seems that a place of refuge that has been forgotten, guess what ... there is a community of artists
Upon entering the position of municipal veterinarian with a lifetime contract they both found an abandoned old house on a mountainside with stunning view, in the center of the street visible only at the top for passers-by.
However when entering there seems to be a number of sun terraces, big garden around the building and 3 well built floors
With a large number of rooms, the renovation and maintenance work was done by them with the help of local professionals.
This house served as a safe and comfortable place for all the children
This house wasn’t easy to live in
though and little bit hard at times
but full of charm and stunning authentic beauty.
We used to sweep balconies to prune plants to whitewash stairs and apply tar to the roof before winters came
The area started to develop and Safed was on the map, not really but you understand the point.
We went out on Saturdays to harvest olives, pick figs, grow plants and make fine homemade wine.
We went hiking in the wadis and mountains with a topographic map
We learned to drive years before the dry law allowed it
We went on vacations in Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley Road, Jericho and the Dead Sea
We dipped in the waters of the Jordan Banias Dan and many streams
The Sea of Galilee was our favorite destination for us . even before roads were paved in the Upper Galilee
On dirt roads the Saab coped well galloping with road conditions, despite being a Swedish vehicle better suited to cooler climates
We fired arrows at the bow and arrow
we rode on donkeys and horses
We learned well what is required in schools
We took music lessons with the best teachers in the field
In my childhood there was nothing missing it was just wonderful
My parents belonged to the Israeli Jet community
Volunteered and signed up for lots of sports activities culture art and society
They were often called upon to give a shoulder to the Civil Guard
Also Rotary movement and my father even was a member to the Lions group
Beatnics,intellectuals ,poets ,people painting ,making sculpturesand music would visit our house a lot
My mother used to write for newspapers in Dutch, French and English,
we used to go to libraries of
music, books and movies for good time spending
Also many concerts and festivals were on the menu
Safed is located on the back of Mount Canaan
The view was completely panoramic and sunny most of the year, cold breeze and even snowy in the winters
At spring time everything was green and clear air
The point of view we looked at every day was breathtaking
Fresh spring water in the taps and a wonderful garden
We used to pick up puppies after they were abandoned in the streets and alleys of the city and raid them proudly
We had a large number of pets
Also farmhouse for pigeons, chickens and cats at the terrace
They all lived in peace with each other and protected us
As we are the inhabitants of the house
Every baby was born to my mother in Safed except the eldest Alon who was born in the Netherlands
We had many friends in those years
Singles gays & Couples
Young families with a defined background and international origin
Also the Local and ethnic Were friends of ourselves
With different background languages Cultures and ages origins and orientations
The city's painters used to leave Tel Aviv at the end of spring for their summer homes in Safed
Swimming in swimming pools
Cycling
Skateboarding and long walks in nature
Much has been written about vocation, choice, birth, intellectual pride and finding a path in life
I turn out By choosing these parents on this life cycle.... in land...the earth ... & universe ...
And the junior :) has already reached the middle of life
All this is Because I cherish and learned to be grateful and full of hope full life experiences
I will perhaps write my story later when the wind rests on my head
The way of the land and experiences full of sincerity, public openness, honesty, sincerity
& tell me please have you heard about the great spice of honor...?
'I used to be a field boy
Never to be wrong ... '
was written in a song by a beautiful, pleasant and good Israel music song
Dear readers, with that I will end the story of my parents and childhood
Not before I respect the sublime and compassionate private providence above this
💙
Thank