Hi, Doron Papo and I held the first CCS Middle East Mini-Meet on 27 May 2008 in Haifa, Israel. Firstly, we met up for a beer and to discuss the programme for the evening; Doron then gave us a brief tour of his home City, which is beautiful, and showed us some of the sights; Here are a couple of photos of the Baha'i Shrine and Gardens; This is a view towards the Port area: We ended up at a really nice beach-side restaurant, overlooking the Mediterranean, for an evening meai: At this point Doron was telling me that it was difficult to find good classic stoves in Israel! At the end of the Evening Doron delivered my wife and I back to the coach station, for us to travel back to Jerusalem, where we had our Hotel. Above is a final shot of the two CCS members attending this Meet; Doron and Kerophile: I did take the opportunity during this Israel Trip to keep an eye open for classic stoves and paraffin-related items: A selection of blowlamps at a friend's house. He also had this old Petromax lantern, shown above. There was a well-used 2-pint paraffin stove. It had a Hipolito-branded burner but the tank appeared to be locally made. In the Souk of Old Jerusalem this man was making unleavened flat-bread, using a cushion to place the thin flattened dough, carefully on the steel plate cooking surface; The cooking plate was actually heated with a propane gas heater: In a Cafe built into a Vault of the Old City we had a great cup of Turkish coffee and I was asked if I wanted to buy one of the display stoves: I explained the difficulties of security and limited space in my luggage and declined the offer gracefully. The were a number of portable stoves in use but many are now gas-powered. This one was being used to prepare a dish based on beans: It was a hot day and the Traditional water-seller was doing brisk business: On a stall at the Arab bus Station there ware a couple of alcohol-powered stoves (used for heating an Ibrik) on offer; This old blowlamp was on offer alongside some modern brass kettles: A lot of stoves seem to come here to die...it is a bit of an Elephant's graveyard: One of the highlights of the Trip was when my Wife took me to a Restaurant which she had first visited two years ago; This is a very small Turkish restaurant called the "Azure". It is in the Mahane Yehude Market of Jerusalem and is so popular that people queue to share a table and enjoy the food: All the cooking is done on Paraffin wick-stoves, and the food is delicious: Our Trip was both enjoyavble and thought provoking. Thanks to Doron for his warm welcome and hospitality. Best Regards, Kerophile
Kerophile, Outstanding trip and a wonderful time of fellowship with a CCS Brother. Some of those stoves look to be a fettlers dream and challenge. Jerry
Hi Ed, I am glad you didn't make any tasteless remarks about Guantanamo Bay fashions, being worn so near Moslem countries! Having the wife with me was a real bonus. She carried the heavy luggage, took most of the photos and knew where the most interesting restaurants were. She even carried one of my Ibriks in her luggage as mine was full of the not-so-mini-oven. It was a real "buzz" seeing all the road signs for places I had previously only read of in the Bible. We even went to Bethlehem for the day! Thanks everyone for the kind words. Best Regards, George
Hello All, This was a very nice post George with just the right amount of stove photos salted in. I enjoyed all of it and it was nice to see the sights you captured with your camera. I liked seeing the restaraunt cooking with liquid fueled stoves and thought they would go right on doing business without electricity. Smart thinking. It was a trip of a lifetime that most of us won't be able to take, so thanks for giving us a glimpse. I think your bright pants fit right in with the colorful attire of the locals. Regards, Doug
Yes sir the trip of a life time. Ahh maybe someday when i don't have to keep up with the bills and payments on the house. Yes i do know that someday never comes about but who knows, maybe someday. Great show George, a mini meet in the style of the ever traveling lancermobile. lance
Yes it was a great meeting although brief. it was great meeting George and his wife. there is an open invitation to all CCS members to come and visit
Ahh, this one is packed away at the moment as I will be moving in a short while - and no real lawn to light it
Hi Alan, see attached: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/haifa-bahai-shrine-and-gardens.htm Haifa is beautiful and is in a spectacular setting. Best Regards, Kerophile
Hi George, Thanks for sharing your visit! What a beautiful place -- I'd love to visit someday. ....Arch
Hi Arch, Israel is well worth a visit. It is so important to three of the World's great religions (which is also the cause of so many of her troubles) and has so much to offer. It was a truly memorable experience as opposed to being just a Holiday. I am still thinking about all the great experiences and the issues which came to mind during the trip. The people we met were super and it was great to meet up with my stove-friend Doron again. He lives in a beautiful city and I would love to have had more time to fully visit the Baha'i shrine and Gardens....I had never seen such beautiful formal gardens, occupying the whole side of a hill before. I trust you and your family are well. Best Regards, George.
