"If you thought that was impressive, I could show you some sights," he says as they leave the alley, and head down the street. There's no sense in hailing a taxi, seeing as they're only a few blocks from the restaurant. "There's this mesa in Australia I stop by now and again. The view from the edge is fantastic." Because she seems impressed, he won't add that he usually goes there to read.

"So I, uh ... I take it you've never been to Israel before?"