After a late night, an eventful journey and a time difference that meant we lost two hours when we arrived, the sight of someone hanging off the side of a building was nearly enough to send me over the edge, for want of a better expression.
Had I been slightly more alert I would have rushed to this person’s aid. Thankfully the drama was short-lived as it turned out to be a stuffed dummy designed to grab attention, which it certainly did.
In fact there were several of these dummies literally hanging about.
The location was the recently opened Design Museum Holon, a short drive from Tel Aviv, which attracts visitors keen to see both the building’s unusual architecture and the various design exhibitions it showcases throughout the year.
The building, designed byRon Arad, is made of from ribbons of weathered steel, and in its current exhibition nothing is quite as it seems, from chairs made of balloons to bookcases made of books.
The exhibition is designed to make you think, by adding a new idea to an old concept.
It was just one stop on a day that saw us warmly welcomed by our hosts Kinetis, a non-profit, apolitical organisation that runs the Vibe Israel programme offering visitors a personalised tour of the country and the opportunity to see the real Israel aside from the view of the country reported in the news.
We met local journalists and editors, toured a story garden project where children's gardens are designed and built around the theme of children's literature, and heard more about Holon - named the City of Children.
One person that simply cannot go unmentioned is Moran Samuel - the most inspiring person I have ever met. Five years ago the aspiring athlete and physiotherapy student suffered a stroke in her spinal cord, without warning, which left her paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.
Despite poor health her attitude reminded incredibly positive and optimistic. After a three months rehabilitation period she returned to her studies, completed her degree and achieved her goal of competing as an athlete at international level.
Moran now works as a physiotherpist with disabled children and competes in the Israeli men's basketball team. Six months ago she decided to take up rowing and has recently returned from Germany where she won a bronze medal in the Munich paralympics. Her sights are now set on London 2012. Without doubt, she will make it there.
An exceptional woman whose story warrants an entire blog post to itself, if not an entire blog, so do go and read Sally's post which tells Moran's story in more detail.
Moran's incredible ability to focus on the positive no matter how horrendous the circumstances you suddenly find yourself in are, has taught me a great deal.
Ah, now here is the voice of reason speaking. I may just, from now on, put up a picture and a link to your blog!! Wasn't Moran just wonderful? :)
Posted by: Jane Alexander | June 30, 2011 at 05:33 AM
Oh bless you! Moran was incredibly. Just amazing. I doubt I'll ever forget anything she talked about. I'd like to bottle her optimism. See you at breakfast. Must go and dry my hair! ;)
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | June 30, 2011 at 05:46 AM
It sounds like a really interesting trip so far, Moran sounds incredible and the design museum is right up my street. Looking forward to the rest of your posts.
Posted by: notsupermum | June 30, 2011 at 07:12 AM
Fascinating to hear more about Israel. Just loving the look of that museum too. There was a museum in Toronto with sculpted figures squeezing out of the windows - that type of quirkiness always makes you look twice.
Posted by: Trish @ Mum's Gone to | June 30, 2011 at 07:30 AM
What a fab museum! Glad your trip is going well - it sounds very inspiring so far!
Posted by: maddydodo | June 30, 2011 at 12:26 PM