Mall Rat

Well, I know it's summer vacation when I'm sitting at the Coffee Bean in the mall with my laptop, having deposited the kids at a movie to sneak in a few hours of work while they watch Shrek the Third.

When school is in session, I'm never at the mall.

As always, I'm amazed by the number of Israeli Arab women here -- in everything from completely western dress to full hijab. And everything in between -- a lot of hip young women with flowered headscarves, jeans and flip-flops. Younger, older, and nearly all looking very friendly, happy and non-threatening.

Utterly unlike London, where you feel the hateful glares from many traditionally-dressed Arabs on the street.

It's a whole different vibe here in the Holy Land. Maybe they are in a good mood becaue they are all really glad they're not in Gaza right now? Maybe, Next time I come to the mall, I'll have to bring my video camera and try to get some interviews.

As I drove into the mall parking lot, the guard peeked in my minivan with three kids and waved me in, saying, "Nope, you don't look like you're carrying any explosives, are you?" I couldn't get over how she said it so casually.

Bet there's no joking around like that in London these days. I can't get over the unfolding story about how these doctors cooked up a terror plot in the hospital they worked in.

It's like a twisted Hollywood pitch -- a "Grey's Anatomy" episode spun out of control.