An unfortunate drop of discrimination

The 7:43 train pulled out of Modi'in Central station. I sat on my seat mildly out of breath after a last second sprint and acrobatic dive saved me from waiting another 25 minutes for the next train.

In the UK, when you're on public transport, the idea is to be as anonymous as possible. You don't look at anyone and you certainly don't speak to anybody. In fact, if you say hello or ask an innocent question about changing trains, people look at you with suspicion and you are immediately branded as strange and people will avoid sitting near you. Great, if you're on a packed train.

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Of Koalas and men

Fat, lazy and smelly. That's how I would describe him. Gangaroo near Bet Shean is always a good day out (and good drive as well). My kids like the Koalas, but I don't. Maybe I am jealous that they get to sleep 23 hours a day, but I won't let on, instead I tell my kids that they are fat, lazy and smelly. My wife growls at me for being a grumpy old man, little does she know that we all want to be a Koala once in a while (except for the Eucalyptus leaf diet).

My daughter told me once she wants to be an Arab. I warily asked why, knowing that a child's use of logic, however innocent could be very damaging. She told me that whenever we see Arabs they are sitting down, either by the road selling fruit, waiting for lifts, on a break from working on the road or just generally laying about. She thought that was a good life. I explained to her that there were Arab doctors and lawyers and in fact Arabs worked in all walks of life.

That seemed to satisfy her. She wasn't going to be an Arab. On a visit to Gangaroo she concurred with me that apart from the smell a Koala's life was pretty laid back and satisfying so maybe she would be a Koala.