Let’s start at the end: this photo was taken shortly before sunset by my significant other, because I wanted to share with you that I’m six months pregnant and we’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of our baby girl.
As soon as the camera was turned off (how classic), we sat on a bench – facing the sea. Then, in the most surprising and unpredictable (at least as far as I’m concerned) timing, my “camera hater” pulled a ring out of his pocket – and moved me to tears.
Or: How did I not see this coming?
Forgive me Haifa, for I have sinned. I was always sarcastic and never gave you a fair chance.
Well, you know how it is… Eye rolls and eyebrow raisings in response to rumors of “something cool that’s happening in town”, are like a national sport to us Haifa natives. Isn’t that so?! ;-)
Similar to most of my friends, I too left Haifa in favor of “the city that never stops” about twenty years ago. Since then, my visits to Haifa have narrowed down to Friday night dinners with my family and watching videos of wild boars chewing up public playgrounds. But 24 hours in your company, made me realize that you’re basically what other cities aspire to be like – you have a female mayor (!), public transportation and commerce that is active on Saturdays, true coexistence, recreational and leisure culture… And wow! You are absolutely beautiful!
It‘s a Friday afternoon, I‘m at home – reading newspapers, slowing down my pace and welcoming the weekend‘s ambiance.
Somewhere in the horoscope section, I see a ridiculous sentence that refers to my sign – ”An unplanned trip overseas awaits, paid by someone else – a business trip or someone asking you to accompany them“.
”Come on!“ I smile to myself, ”who believes this nonsense?!“
Two days later, an email from Malta‘s Tourism Authority arrives in my mailbox. On the other side of the keyboard, lovely Janet is inviting me on an official visit to the island curtesy of Visit Malta.
”Unbelievable!“ I think to myself, ”maybe it‘s time to stop being such a cynic and realize all my dreams are close enough to grasp“.
“You’re saying there are women who drink whiskey?” – he asked, in shock. But before I unleashed a smart-ass, feminist speech, I looked into the surprised eyes of a man who just yesterday celebrated his 87th birthday, and who has obviously seen a thing or two in his life. He smiled at me warmly and added: “my children don’t even drink wine!” Right away I knew I was in for an interesting evening.
But before I tell you all about the launch of the QUEST COLLECTION, by Scottish Whiskey brand Macallan – a soiree I was invited by my friends from James Richardson Duty Free – allow me to pour myself a glass and proudly declare: my name is Kochavit and I love whiskey!
My parents were seeking a destination for a cool summer vacation. One thing led to another, and I found myself in Porto.
It’s not as if I completely barged in on their trip, they simply realized their vacation wouldn’t be the same without me ;-)
I’ve been wanting to visit Portugal – and Porto specifically – for quite some time now. The stories and pictures that were related to this destination stroke an urge in me – to experience this incredible town and travel to a place that resembles no other I’ve ever visited before.