Beach party panic

It's the morning after the thrill of the opening ceremonies. Chess competition is still two days away so we run the final round of our intrasquad tuneup but I have other priorities-namely a non working cell phone. Luckily I have my laptop to communicate with the Maccabi staff and arrangements are being made to get me a replacement if needed,

The Israeli Maccabi volunteers at the hotel are helpful as always in getting me a ride to a local mall with a phone store. Hopefully my phone can be fixed. This is Friday morning, and with stores closed tomorrow the shopping panic at the stores is reminiscent of the day before a big predicted snowstorm.

Luckily, my phone prayers are answered as the technician finds excessive grime in my phone contacts and thoroughly cleans it. I also buy a new charger and get a very useful international five port switch.

I get back in time to join the team for a 'mandatory' beach party.

While the crowd represents many nations, the music is decidedly American, not necessarily a positive development based on your point of view.