I am just coming off of a three-week trip. The first part was in Israel, the second part mostly in Manhattan but also in other neighborhoods in the New York area and in New Jersey.

Normally when traveling I enjoy seeing some new places or revisiting beloved old ones. As it turned out, this trip was all about people.

People, parties, reunions and some fantastic food to bind it all together.

Israel, of course, is always also about some good food, with the abundance of delicious kosher eateries and especially the amazing Israeli street food, such as falafel — perfectly crispy spicy fritters wrapped in a soft and warm fluffy round pita pocket — and the chumusiyot (humus places). The humus is so warm and creamy with fava beans at its center, and the texture and flavor are almost totally unlike what is called humus here in the US.