randomness on the cape

I just came back from a weekend trip and although I have nothing too exciting to report, I thought I would share a bunch of random events that happened.

Since I’m starting a new job soon and they only want to pay me AFTER I start working (the nerve!) I decided that I would skip going on a big trip this summer and instead take a long weekend road trip down to Cape Cod.

I don’t know how popular it is as a tourist destination among the crowd who reads this blog, but it was absolutely beautiful. It’s a very quaint and charming beach town, not Florida gaudy or Atlantic-city touristy at all, the beach is relatively quiet and the people are SO friendly (I’ve never had so many strangers smile and say hello to me in the street!) All across town there are lobster/crab/chowder eateries, pubs and mini putt golf courses and the landscape is filled with lighthouses, fishing boats and small cape cod style wooden houses. It’s really serene and natural.

There was, however, one problem and that was the weather. We were expecting a good 3-4 days of beautiful beach weather and instead we ended up spending our time hiding from, or anticipating, a tropical storm which was happening not too far off the coast.

We were hoping for this…












Instead we got … this…



Gray cloudy skies and rain throughout the day is not my idea of a beach style summer vacation. Its one thing to have 3 days of rain when you’re on a 2 week vacation, but its much more unpleasant on a 4 day vacation!


One of the random things that happened was that on one of those rainy afternoons, I ended up going to the nearby mall (when in bad weather, shop!). For those of you who know Cape cod, I’m sure you’ll agree that it feels like the most un-Jewish place. I found more Jews in Asia than I did out in Hyannis. Well if there’s one thing anyone who likes traveling knows its that, there isn’t a place on earth where you don’t find coca cola, chabad and Israelis! The first two, I found right away, but I was really starting to believe that Israelis had not yet set foot out on the Cape. You can imagine my surprise when I was walking in the mall and passed one of those little stands that sells hand cream and a beautiful, fresh off_the_boat Israeli girl approached me to sell me some of her products. Of course I had no interest in that but I right away started speaking to her in Hebrew and we got into a whole conversation about what she was doing, where she was from and where she was headed. I gave her my contact information and told her to be in touch if she was ever in my area. The coolest thing was that this adorable tattooed Israeli traveler, making money selling hand creams so she could go traveling to south america as she has just completed her army service, asked me (after noticing my long skirt) whether it was better to light her Shabbat candles – before 9 am - before she went to work – or after 10 pm when she got home on Friday night. (I guessed and told her 9 am sounded safer!) Anyway it was really fun to meet her and get a little taste of Israel, especially during this time when I feel so homesick for Israel.

The next random thing was this shop I came across in the mall – it was called the Gourmet Dog Bakery. That’s right DOG BAKERY! They had all kinds of delicious looking treats.. for dogs!
They had a dog birthday cake in the shape of a bone for $19.99, they had dog truffles and dog cookies, they had birthday party supplies for dogs and fashion accessories for dogs!
FOR DOGS!!
At first I thought it was really funny.. but then I realized how sad and pathetic it was..I mean, my family has a beautiful dog and I love her.. but people- seriously- need- to- get- a- grip!




Finally a series of random wedding related things happened.
First my sister found a dress she needed in a bridal store (who even walks into one of those cheesy overpriced stores?!).
Then a newlywed couple registered into our hotel. The bride walked in with her wedding dress still on, and their car had a sign that said, “just married”… how romantic! (who goes to a motor lodge for their honeymoon?!).
Then on Saturday night we took a walk on the marina and we saw a guy propose to his girlfriend. We weren’t close enough to hear them but it was clear from the way she jumped up and kept looking at her finger and squealing in delight.
And finally on the last day, as we were driving home, we stopped at a rest area on the road and I saw two bunny rabbits run out of a bush and into the forest – now if that’s not a sign, I don’t know what it is..
Apparently.. love.. is.. in.. the.. air..




So that was my exciting weekend on the tropical storm hit beaches of Cape Cod. I had a really nice and relaxing time, but the next time I go on a trip, I’ll make sure to check the weather channel before I head out - and to have all that wedding randomness revolve around me !!