Like us on Facebook
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Amanda Forestwood
Genre: Anectdote
Word Count: 100
LIFE HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS
After 15 hours of cumulative flight time and layovers, we made it to our hotel in Tel Aviv. I stowed my luggage in my room and boarded the elevator to join my companions in the lobby.
Just before level L the elevator stalled. In desperation I banged on the door.
“The technician’s on his way,” a serviceman told me. “But he’s stuck in traffic.”
I sank to the floor and played video games on my phone; grateful claustrophobia isn’t one of my problems.
An hour later, I was released from my 6-by-6-foot prison.
From now on I’ll use the stairs.
The management was quite apologetic about my ordeal. I told her I’m a writer and would have to write about this. I promised not to use any names. She just laughed and said, “Free publicity.” At any rate, she said they would treat me nice. She was true to her word. Later when I went to my room, this was waiting for me.
A few more pics from the trip. I’ve way too many to share. The lady with the two-towned hair and beautiful smile is my cousin Wendy who lives in Tel Aviv. Could’ve been the highest point of my trip. ❤ One of our missions as a humanitarian group was to take stuffed animals to hospitalized children. (will never forget the smiles).
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
It must’ve been a horrifying time for you. I’m glad they compensated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sadje,
It wasn’t all that bad. The hard part was I was so tired. All the while thinking I’ll get some writing mileage out of this one. 😉 thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! Most people would be very out off by this incident. You’re a brave lady
LikeLike
What greater threat can there be but “I’ll put you in a book”?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
The manager didn’t seem too threatened by my writing about it. The whole time I was locked up, I was constructing a story in my head. Writers are a strange breed, aren’t we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would have had a hard time with that… Great photos of the trip. I like the red nose – reminds me of a certain FF participant…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Trent,
I got my first clown nose from that certain FF participant. 😉 They were a hit with the kids. As I said, I’m fortunate not to be claustrophobic. If I’d been stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel it would’ve been Panic City. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just another story writing opportunity for you. What a trip you had.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jan,
Well, you know the old saying about when life hands you lemons. 😉 In this case it was wine. Tee hee.
LikeLike
Looks like quite a trip, thank goodness it wasn’t all spent inside that elevator! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Iain,
The elevator was on the very first day. I was really glad it wasn’t some kind of omen. 😉 It was a great trip. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Rochelle, it seems alls well that ends well. Once, I was trapped in a lift with my daughter after returning from swimming. We were not lucky to receive any form of compensation when released, as you did. A good story that ends by fitting the photo-prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James,
While not my favorite part of the trip, it does make a fun story. What’s an hour, right? I hope you weren’t trapped for very long. thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, sounds like you had an adventure and the photos show it too! Glad you were more comfortable than many would be … if only you’d take a laptop in, this would’ve been a longer story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jen,
I’m not sure the laptop would’ve done me much good in the elevator. I couldn’t get a signal on the phone. Scrabble and another game were my option. It was a mere glitch in an otherwise wonderful tour. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Eek! A bit of an ordeal, but worth it for the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed, Mr. B. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I don’t blame the speaker for using the stairs. Better safe than sorry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Athling,
The speaker was me. However, my determination to take the stairs wasn’t always practical. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
things like this happen when you travel. my rule of thumb is just treat it as part of the experience. thanks for sharing those wonderful photos. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Plaridel
Sometimes those little glitches make for the best stories, don’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wanderlust it is! Looks like you had a very satisfactory soul elevating trip notwithstanding the stuck up in the lift!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neel,
Being stuck in the elevator was a mere blip on the radar screen. Wonderful trip with lovely companions. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank goodness for video games, at least they kept your mind occupied!
I really enjoyed looking through your pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
I really should’ve taken pictures inside the elevator. 😉 At least the floor was carpeted. Glad you enjoyed my pictures. These are only a few. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
You handled it much better than I would have. I’m not claustrophobic, but I hate being “trapped’ anywhere. From the pics it’s easy to see you had a grand time of your vacay. Great story to share, and a memory to hold. Shalom, Bear
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bear,
I often say that I am my own anecdote. 😉 Elevator entrapment aside, it was a great trip fraught with Divine appontments and wonderful people. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I take things like “elevator entrapment”, traffic jams. etc as a sign to slow down, admire G’d’s handi-work, or just simple to utter a few prayers for people in need. Shalom, Rochelle
LikeLike
Taking those stairs may have a few problems as well :). I don’t know which I enjoyed more–the story or the photos. What an awesome trip that must have been!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Linda,
This is a journey that will live on in my mind and spirit forever. Divine appointments made it so meaningful.
As for the stairs. I didn’t always take them as we were generally on the 5th or 6th floor depending on which hotel we stayed in…there were three. The first in Tel Aviv, the second in Tiberius and the third and longest stay in Jerusalem. Happily there were no more elevator incidents, but my friends and I did make a lot of jokes about it.
The wine I shared for our first erev shabbat meal. I brought the bottle home…a cherished souvenir. (and i can read the Cabernet Sauvignon in Hebrew 😉 )
Glad you enjoyed my story and photos. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the pics. Wine and fruit is nice but no cheese? 😦
Glad it wasn’t TOO horrible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn,
No cheese on the tray but there were some marvelous cheeses with breakfast. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Sounds delish!
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
Lemons to lemonade, eh? Good thing you are not claustrophobic and were able to keep yourself occupied while you waited. And what a lovely thing for them to do! Love your images!
Shalom and lotsa inspired love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
Nu? I am my own anecdote. I knew as soon as that thing got stuck it was going to be a story. That’s how we roll. 😉 Glad you enjoyed.
Shalom and lotsa closed in hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course you are! And I did.
LikeLike
So glad you took the incident in your stride 🙌 – it looks like you had a wonderful trip Rochelle 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Angela,
I did have a wonderful trip. At the time I got caught in the elevator it was either laugh for cry. I chose the former. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Perfect title for your story, Rochelle. “All’s Well that Ends Well” and so happy for you that you were able to make the journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa. ❤ It really was a great trip.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, you’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
Life events make some of the best stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Lish. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
That would make me forgive and forget too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Liz,
The wine and fruit didn’t hurt. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Oh, man! That sounds absolutely nerve-wracking. Getting stuck in an elevator is everyone’s worst nightmare come true. Thankfully, you kept calm by utilizing technology and staying focused on survival mode. Now, after being set free from captivity, let’s hope the rest of this trip goes more smoothly. Your story is an encouragement for us to always look on the bright side and keep moving forward. Enjoy your stay in Tel Aviv and have fun exploring all the amazing things Israel has to offer! 👍👏👌😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Pankaj,
It would’ve been worse for me to be stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel. 😉 As far as my stay in Tel Aviv, that journey ended a couple of weeks ago. It was a great time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank Steve Jobs for that little box to keep you entertained during your ordeal in that bigger box. Being from California, I’m always concerned about an earthquake when I’m in an elevator. I am claustrophobic, but I’d probably be all right in an elevator for a while. I’m glad you made it out alive without too much trauma. You got at least one story out of it and it looks like a nice bottle of wine and fruit platter. Other than that hiccup, it looks like you had an amazing trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Nobbin,
I have few complaints about the trip. 😉 I had a great time. And of course when an anecdote arises, I must share it. Thank you (and thank you, Steve Jobs)
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous trip pics and hey, nice wine. Still the idea of being trapped… horrid. I would take the stairs too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Laurie,
it’s not always convenient to go up and down six flights of stairs. 😉 Thank you. The wine was nice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get claustrophobic. Just reading this made me tense. So glad you could remain calm and continue to have a lovely visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear ObscureLife,
Better me than you, then. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s a good thing you don’t suffer from claustrophobia. Lovely gift from them. A room upgrade would have been nice, too. 😊👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Brit,
The room was actually pretty nice. It was a nice gesture, too. And it’s a memory that will live on. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely treat! It is good to know that some hotels still offer pleasant surprises like this. Thanks also ever so much for using my photo. (from countryside in Japan!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Amanda,
I was just happy to be sprung from the cubicle. 😉 The compensation was nice. They even left a gift bag for my roommate who hadn’t even gotten into Tel Aviv yet. Thank you for the lovely photo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person