There are many things we remember during a year and there are plenty of things we forget but one thing we always remember is where we were when the new year began. Whether it be a bar, nightclub, party, the dreaded work or at home with friends and family or a different country and for the second year in a row I chose the latter. Costa Rica last year and Israel this year, two countries that couldn’t be anymore different. And as the countdown to midnight I was in a cab.
10, 9, 8…
Once I told the driver where I was going we were off as we drove he asked me where I was from and I replied Boston ‘Are you here on holiday?’ – ‘oh yes, I’ve always wanted to visit Israel and I couldn’t think of a better way or place to ring in 2014, and I am having a great time.’ ‘Have you ever been to the US?’ He replied know but he does want to, ‘where do you want to visit first?’ And to my absolute shock he responded ‘Vermont’ – ‘why Vermont?’ ‘I’ve always wanted to ski’ he said. ‘with 50 states to choose from I never would’ve expected you to say Vermont.’ I will say this much, skiing is a great activity.’
7, 6, 5…
As we got closer to my destination I asked ‘what is your second choice? And again he surprised me – ‘The Grand Canyon’ it’s one I’ve always wanted to see more than any other place in the world’ and where does Boston rank, ‘it’s not on the list’ he said, ‘ ‘at all?’ ‘Well you need to add it is a great city and if you day make it it there, you have a friend.’ And he responded ‘and you have a new friend in Tel Aviv.’ ‘I am Ezra’ and I am Aron.’
4, 3, 2…
As we pulled up to the nightclub the clock struck midnight and I heard the cries of ‘happy new year’ everywhere but I didn’t care I promised myself I’d be in Israel for new years and I was, in a taxi cab with my new-found friend Ezra. I paid him and we shook hands and wished him a great year. I walked into the nightclub and was handed a glass of champagne a new year had begun and whatever awaited me in 2014, I will never forget where it began.
‘Happy New Year’