Strange days. Flying to Tel Aviv on Turkish Airlines-my usual trip but nothing is usual in #COVIDー19 days. To get to airport I got in a car for the first time in 5 months. I’m now at an almost deserted airport. In this thread Ill document my upcoming month. It’ll be interesting! 
I came prepared in #COVIDー19 overalls. Nice to see @TurkishAirlines handing out a hygiene kit. Also checked our temperature before boarding. Only 3 flights from Terminal 1: Paris, Istanbul, Casablanca. Turkish usually flies 3 a day to Istanbul, now 3 a week! Strange days indeed!
Now on layover at Istanbul airport. Home is so close-but will have to wait a few weeks! While quite empty Turkey has open skies. Yet w/US not topping anyone’s list+Europe not opening to Turkish citizens, there’s many on transit going to following places. A true international hub!
The #COVID19 crisis hit Istanbul hard (like everywhere else), yet, Istanbul has been stuck for sometime in an economic crisis+its new airport more so. I can’t imagine how much money is being lost now. Seems it was built for rich Arab tourists from Gulf—now nowhere to be seen.
Of course airport, despite being very beautiful, is simply too big. As the hub of the world--Turkish Airlines flying to more destinations than anywhere in the world--it seems one day it will meet its expectations. But now with the world crisis, many things can change. Let's see.
Waiting for Tel Aviv flight. So cool next to me planes flying to Beirut, Islamabad, and Khartoum. A small crowd flying to Tel Aviv—in pre Covid times there were 9 flights a day from Istanbul. Tel Aviv is Turkish Airlines largest hub carrying over million passengers last year!
Landed safely in Tel Aviv. Also an empty airport. But this one much more. The country’s flagship airlines El Al has suspended all flights until end of August with it near bankruptcy-most all of its workers on unpaid leave. And, I was sent to a 14 day quarantine hotel. Stay tuned!
Sabah al-Khir wa Boker Tov from one of many #corona hotels—this one in Jerusalem—where citizens coming to country are put up for 14 days quarantine. Happily I got here before 12AM so, only 13 days to go. I plan to get some work and reading done. Leaving room and hotel off limits!
Of course, if I my residence in Israel was alone I could quarantine there. However, since this is not the case+I'd endanger others, so I was sent to the "Hotel Corona." Fine by me: as long as I have nescafe/milk, internet, and meals sent up three times a day, it should be fine!
A demonstration+I'm not there? Next best thing, my daughter was there reporting events to me as I'm under lock+key at "Corona Hotel" a mile away. I've always known about police violence in Israel, this time I have to admit I was a bit worried as a parent.
I've started my 3rd day in quarantine, 10 more to go. Jet lag wearing off, I'm hoping there will not be a "second wave." I've got pretty good at controlling jetlag the last few years. For me it's the main downside of travelling back+forth so often, dents my productivity for sure.
Finished my 4th day in quarantine. Besides brief periods in the lobby, I have not left my room. People coming and going, for now working on a new class I’m offering at @GC_CUNY Rethinking Israeli History. And usually sitting next to this window for about ten hours a day!
Now 11 days in quarantine! 3 days more to go+my second Shabbat here. I've been able to get some good work done and by the time I leave I will be completely caught up. These days have led me to the conclusion that perhaps every year I should close myself up for 14 days+just work!
The Last (Quarantine) Supper! Just got official call from pikud haoref—the military unit in charge of the Hotel Corona—that I am free to go at 12AM on good behavior 😂 and need to evacuate room by 10AM!
I’m going to miss this nightly view that kept me company during the last 13 nights in quarantine. A view of Sheikh Jarrah, Jerusalem.
Bye bye...
And w/in 2 hours I am at a cafe drinking a “kafe hafukh” literally an upside down coffee—a cappuccino. Listening to George Harrison, My Sweet Lord. Working on a post writeup about my recent book: Jews and Palestinian in the late Ottoman Era, Claming the Homeland. Life is good. 🧿
Jerusalem is stranger than usual in the #coronavirus days. Hot summer night, clouds passing through the sky.
I was walking w/my daughter last night (which was amazing)+she looks up and says: Abba, atah roeh kama hanuiot nisgaru (Dad, do you see how many stores have closed). Indeed, Jerusalem has been hit hard. She said it's the same in Tel Aviv-The small business owners w/crushed lives.
At last in Tel Aviv, admittedly the #coronavirus almost succeeded in ruining my chances of getting back h—let’s face it the summer is almost over—but I did it and very happy that I did. Jerusalem quarantine days was interesting (will post my post thoughts later) but this is home!
Now dogsitting in Tel Aviv with Mr. Yumbo :)
Spent the day being interviewed and taking part in a filming for a conference that will take place in Jerusalem in Nov on Capt. Parker’s treasure hunt—the 1911 Haram al-Sharif incident which aspects of it are in my book. The hot sun made me extra tired but I just loved the view!
Saying goodbye to a quiet Tel Aviv. Had an amazing time with my daughter, friends, and colleagues. The Coronavirus days made it a bit more difficult to say the least. Never happy leaving, but the time has come and summer almost over...
One thing I will not miss in Tel Aviv is total disrespect of social distancing among so many young people, not to mention those who are visiting packed bars w/o a mask. I was able to enjoy some restaurants outdoors with chairs apart and arranged seating accordingly, but not many!
Israel could have been a success story-Certainly it was at beginning but Netanyahu/Gantz gov failed+this led to great economic troubles for many, with people pressuring gov to open up w/no real plan. Combatting #coronavirus is an issue of good administration, which gov lacks.
And, now, Istanbul for 5 days! Just landed.
My first day in Istanbul was spent with my usta fixing a leak, giving my kombi a spring cleaning, and buying batteries for my air conditioning. And, of course, all this came after the most important thing: getting a haircut. Always first+last stop (well this time a one time go).
After spending a day at the PTT Turkish Telekom (an adventure on its own) and purchasing a new mattress, I got the chance to visit a rooftop. Istanbul never disappoints!
For those who missed my thread on traveling during the #covid era, I’m adding it here to my thread on my trip where I have been sharing my experiences over the last month visiting Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Istanbul https://t.co/VB81BBK3fn
Well, now on plane starting my trip back to Brooklyn after a very interesting month, starting with a quarantine in one of Jerusalem’s “Hotel Corona, from there to Tel Aviv, and then to Istanbul. And, here is a self portrait from my last night in Istanbul where I can say I did it!
Nice thing about day flights (leaving afternoon in Istanbul arriving in NYC in evening) is one can read. Excited at last to read @KimGhattas book, Black Wave. My last treat before starting to teach next week-This will certainly add an important perspective to my ME History class!
Back to Brooklyn.
