I was going to wait until I was home to blog about my day in Bethlehem, but it was so good I couldn't wait! I'll leave the important stuff for tomorrow, but for now I have to write down some of the odd highlights of my day so I don't forget.
1) In the car this morning on our way to Jerusalem, Lev was telling us a story about his experience in a hostel in Ireland. Without getting into the specifics of the story, within 2 minutes I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt, I couldn't breathe, and tears were pouring down my face. I was basically out of control. But I knew it was going to be a phenomenal day. And it was.
2) Lev struck again when we were at a coffee shop in Jerusalem. This time, all five of us were all laughing uncontrollably. The people at the table next to us actually got up and left, but we couldn't help it. It was one of the best moments of the trip for sure.
What were we laughing about? Well, there was some confusion about memory and mammory. But Lev got it worked out. Thanks again, Lev.
3) When we were heading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for midnight mass, it was raining in the Old City and all the shops were closed. It was absolutely beautiful. And I jumped in a puddle.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Christmas Cookies and Red Wine
This past weekend several of my girlfriends and I baked Christmas cookies to help us get into the Christmas spirit. Even though it was probably 70 degrees and sunny that day, I think it worked! Of course, all the cookies were delicious, and after we were done baking a bunch of other people came over to help us eat them. We sat around for hours and talked about things that people should never talk about (i.e. religion and politics). During these sometimes heated conversations that I generally stay out of, I remember looking around at all of the people eating and talking in my kitchen and being so thankful for the opportunity to experience Tel Aviv with them.
On another note, have you ever had those moments when you're walking down the street and something funny pops in your head and you laugh out loud? That happened to me the other day because of a hilarious morning I had. Lev and I were eating breakfast together last week and we were talking about hippies. Lev and his family are Russian, which I am learning is a pretty hard and intense culture. So anyways, we were chatting and he tried to tell me that his parents were hippies. I've heard enough of his stories to know that they are definitely not hippies in the American sense of the word. So I said, "Your parents are definitely not hippies." And he said, "My parents are hippies in the Russian sense of the word. They beat their kids and they hate the environment, but they ride bikes and travel and stuff." At first, Lev didn't know I was laughing because it was one of those silent laughs, so he kept talking. But then when I was bowled over in my chair and tears were coming out of my eyes, I think he got it.
I just laughed out loud again while I wrote that! Awesome.
I'm seeing more and more that it's the people who make the experience more than anything else. Some of the best moments I've had here are so great because of the friends who were there to share the moments with me. If Tel Aviv has taught me anything so far, it's taught me to really enjoy the present. I think that's because I know my time here is temporary, and I want to get everything out of this experience that I can. But here's the thing: life is also temporary. So shouldn't we all make a point to really live in the present instead of always hurrying to the future?
I think the Christmas season is the best time of the year to start practicing this.
On another note, have you ever had those moments when you're walking down the street and something funny pops in your head and you laugh out loud? That happened to me the other day because of a hilarious morning I had. Lev and I were eating breakfast together last week and we were talking about hippies. Lev and his family are Russian, which I am learning is a pretty hard and intense culture. So anyways, we were chatting and he tried to tell me that his parents were hippies. I've heard enough of his stories to know that they are definitely not hippies in the American sense of the word. So I said, "Your parents are definitely not hippies." And he said, "My parents are hippies in the Russian sense of the word. They beat their kids and they hate the environment, but they ride bikes and travel and stuff." At first, Lev didn't know I was laughing because it was one of those silent laughs, so he kept talking. But then when I was bowled over in my chair and tears were coming out of my eyes, I think he got it.
I just laughed out loud again while I wrote that! Awesome.
I'm seeing more and more that it's the people who make the experience more than anything else. Some of the best moments I've had here are so great because of the friends who were there to share the moments with me. If Tel Aviv has taught me anything so far, it's taught me to really enjoy the present. I think that's because I know my time here is temporary, and I want to get everything out of this experience that I can. But here's the thing: life is also temporary. So shouldn't we all make a point to really live in the present instead of always hurrying to the future?
I think the Christmas season is the best time of the year to start practicing this.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Fastest Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear
Thanksgiving in Israel was a success! Me and 17 of my friends got together and had such a great time. We had Turkey and stuffing, cornbread dressing, pumpkin pies, a pecan pie, and tons of other delicious food (but we couldn't for the life of us find cranberry sauce!). It really felt like we were celebrating in the States, which helped fight off the homesickness for all of us for sure.
One holiday down, one to go.
Now on to Christmas. I am really excited about spending Christmas here because we are going to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve and Nazareth on Christmas Day. What better way to celebrate, right? And I'm happy to report that I have found a Christmas tree! It's about a foot tall and I bought decorations and a star for it and everything. It took me about 2 minutes to decorate :)
I'm also thinking of having all of my girlfriends over one weekend so we can make Christmas cookies. It's funny because when you're taken out of what you're used to, any little reminder of the familiar is really so special. The pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving, the mini Christmas tree I found, the smell of Christmas cookies... these things mean so much more when they aren't as readily available.
And I already know that next Christmas I'll probably be nostalgic for Israel. Even now I find myself missing this place and I have nine months left. Funny how that works.
One holiday down, one to go.
Now on to Christmas. I am really excited about spending Christmas here because we are going to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve and Nazareth on Christmas Day. What better way to celebrate, right? And I'm happy to report that I have found a Christmas tree! It's about a foot tall and I bought decorations and a star for it and everything. It took me about 2 minutes to decorate :)
I'm also thinking of having all of my girlfriends over one weekend so we can make Christmas cookies. It's funny because when you're taken out of what you're used to, any little reminder of the familiar is really so special. The pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving, the mini Christmas tree I found, the smell of Christmas cookies... these things mean so much more when they aren't as readily available.
And I already know that next Christmas I'll probably be nostalgic for Israel. Even now I find myself missing this place and I have nine months left. Funny how that works.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (and Thanksgiving) in Tel Aviv
This is going to be the first year that I'm not in the States for the holidays. I go back and forth on how I feel about it. I know all of my friends here, the majority of which are American, are going to do something fun for Thanksgiving and for Christmas, so it will be an experience to celebrate the holidays in Tel Aviv. But on the other hand, I am going to miss celebrating with my family.
Especially Christmas.
There are no Christmas trees, Christmas music, Christmas lights, Santa figurines or anything like that here (obviously), and I keep forgetting that it's the most wonderful time of the year! It's like in Home Alone 2 when the family leaves for Christmas and goes to Florida (Kevin, of course, goes to New York instead). Sure, it's warm and they are surrounded by palm trees, but that stuff isn't Christmasy. One scene in this movie particularly sticks out to me: all of the kids laying on the bed of some dingy Florida hotel room watching It's A Wonderful Life in Spanish. I think it's pouring rain outside too.
The good thing is, Hanukkah overlaps with Christmas, so there will still be a holiday spirit in the air. And I hear really good things about these jelly donuts (sufganiyot) that are everywhere during Hanukkah.
And I have the advantage of being able to go to Bethlehem on Christmas, which I suppose is one of the most Christmasy things that can be done this time of year.
In other news, school is keeping us pretty busy here. We don't do much during the week except for homework, and then on the weekends we get out and explore. This past weekend was filled with that. A group of us went to Mezcal, a Mexcian restaurant, on Thursday night and it was delicious! Chimichangas with chicken :) I have been craving Mexican food since I've been here but they don't have a ton of options. So when I heard about this place I had to go. It's in an "up and coming" neighborhood called Florentine, which is where all the hipsters hang out. When I was walking down the street I felt like I was in the States. I thought to myself, "Savannah Ellis would love it here!"
Then after church yesterday I was craving pizza, so we went to a place called Tony Vespa's, which was also delicious. They have huge square pans of pizza and you tell them how big of a slice you want. Then you pay based on weight. I got a slice with tomatoes and feta cheese and then another one with mushrooms and onions. It was so yummy. It's still warm here so we went outside and ate in the park. It was a lovely afternoon!
Especially Christmas.
There are no Christmas trees, Christmas music, Christmas lights, Santa figurines or anything like that here (obviously), and I keep forgetting that it's the most wonderful time of the year! It's like in Home Alone 2 when the family leaves for Christmas and goes to Florida (Kevin, of course, goes to New York instead). Sure, it's warm and they are surrounded by palm trees, but that stuff isn't Christmasy. One scene in this movie particularly sticks out to me: all of the kids laying on the bed of some dingy Florida hotel room watching It's A Wonderful Life in Spanish. I think it's pouring rain outside too.
The good thing is, Hanukkah overlaps with Christmas, so there will still be a holiday spirit in the air. And I hear really good things about these jelly donuts (sufganiyot) that are everywhere during Hanukkah.
And I have the advantage of being able to go to Bethlehem on Christmas, which I suppose is one of the most Christmasy things that can be done this time of year.
In other news, school is keeping us pretty busy here. We don't do much during the week except for homework, and then on the weekends we get out and explore. This past weekend was filled with that. A group of us went to Mezcal, a Mexcian restaurant, on Thursday night and it was delicious! Chimichangas with chicken :) I have been craving Mexican food since I've been here but they don't have a ton of options. So when I heard about this place I had to go. It's in an "up and coming" neighborhood called Florentine, which is where all the hipsters hang out. When I was walking down the street I felt like I was in the States. I thought to myself, "Savannah Ellis would love it here!"
Then after church yesterday I was craving pizza, so we went to a place called Tony Vespa's, which was also delicious. They have huge square pans of pizza and you tell them how big of a slice you want. Then you pay based on weight. I got a slice with tomatoes and feta cheese and then another one with mushrooms and onions. It was so yummy. It's still warm here so we went outside and ate in the park. It was a lovely afternoon!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Classes, Gas Masks, and So Much More
So my first day of school was last week and it was all pretty typical...if you live in Israel. First, I was sitting on a bench with my friends (one of whom is in the Israeli Army) and a guy walked by with 4 boxes that had leather straps on them, and they were hanging on his neck. The boxes were a little bigger than a typical shoe box. Anyways, my friend who is in the army bet us that we wouldn't be able to guess what was in these boxes. I guessed that there were religious Jewish icons in there that some campus group was passing out. Someone else guessed that maybe it was food. Nope. You know what was in there? Gas masks.
The guy with the boxes told us that they were handing them out for free to all of the Israeli students. So he took one for him and three more for his family.
A couple of days later, we get a text from the school that says this: "Hi guys, Tomorrow at 10am sirens will be heard at the area of Ramat Aviv as part of a military exercise. Do not panic =)"
We were then told that if the sirens lasted 180 seconds it was an actual emergency and we would need to go to the nearest bomb shelter. Luckily, I live right by one of the biggest in Tel Aviv. There is a theater by me that sits on a public square. Under that square is a massive bomb shelter that can hold over 1,000 people. Seriously. Check it out: http://www.haaretz.com/news/tel-aviv-opens-massive-new-bomb-shelter-under-national-theater-1.844.
Then today I woke up to an email from my Mom telling me that the American news is reporting that Israel is talking about launching an attack against Iran. I don't know what scares me more...the thought of being here for the inevitable counter attack or the thought of having to be in an underground bomb shelter for an extended period of time. Yea, I'm that claustrophobic.
On a lighter note, I am really enjoying my classes and we are still having so much fun getting to know Tel Aviv! We've been going to a ton of school events and meeting all of the new people who are a part of the overseas school. It will be a good and eventful year!
The guy with the boxes told us that they were handing them out for free to all of the Israeli students. So he took one for him and three more for his family.
A couple of days later, we get a text from the school that says this: "Hi guys, Tomorrow at 10am sirens will be heard at the area of Ramat Aviv as part of a military exercise. Do not panic =)"
We were then told that if the sirens lasted 180 seconds it was an actual emergency and we would need to go to the nearest bomb shelter. Luckily, I live right by one of the biggest in Tel Aviv. There is a theater by me that sits on a public square. Under that square is a massive bomb shelter that can hold over 1,000 people. Seriously. Check it out: http://www.haaretz.com/news/tel-aviv-opens-massive-new-bomb-shelter-under-national-theater-1.844.
Then today I woke up to an email from my Mom telling me that the American news is reporting that Israel is talking about launching an attack against Iran. I don't know what scares me more...the thought of being here for the inevitable counter attack or the thought of having to be in an underground bomb shelter for an extended period of time. Yea, I'm that claustrophobic.
On a lighter note, I am really enjoying my classes and we are still having so much fun getting to know Tel Aviv! We've been going to a ton of school events and meeting all of the new people who are a part of the overseas school. It will be a good and eventful year!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Back in the Holy Land
I got back to Israel a couple of days ago and about five pounds heavier (Mom, it's really true), and I'm super excited to be back. I moved into a new apartment in the heart of Tel Aviv with three other students in my program. During my first night in the new place I had my windows open because the AC isn't installed in my room yet and I heard all kinds of city noises: buses, car horns, people talking, people singing. In fact, one of my neighbors was singing along to Boyz II Men. It reminded me of that movie Rear Window, although without the Boyz II Men... and without the murder.
I love being right by everything. Yesterday, Patrick, Miriam and I walked to the Shuk to get some things we needed. The Shuk is quite the experience; it's like being in the Old City in the sense that you have to bargain for things. And they also have great fruit, vegetables, bread, meat, and tons of candies and desserts there for a reasonable price. And now I'm right down the street!
A little bit later I walked a minute from my place to get the best donut ever. And it was only 3 shekels, which is less than a dollar. That might be my new morning breakfast routine.
Another fun thing we did since I've been back is go to a party at this coffee shop. Apparently, everyone told the owner that the coffee shop was going to fail but it is actually pretty successful, so they celebrated its success by reading eulogies. What makes this coffee shop unique is that instead of paying per cup of coffee you pay per hour. And everything is self-serve. So you can go in and drink as much coffee as you want (they also have fruit and other snacks available) and then you just pay based on the amount of time you spent there. I think I'll check this place out when school starts.
Today, a bunch of us are going to a concert on the beach.
Did I mention it's still in the 80's and sunny here? :)
~~~
There is some big news in Israel today. Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was captured by Hamas 5 years ago, was finally released in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. He was only 19 years old when he was captured. In order to raise awareness, Shalit's parents camped in front of the prime minister's house for over a year. Most Israeli's are excited about the release, but some are hesitant because of the obvious danger of releasing 1,000 Palestinian terrorists whose main goal is to destroy Israel.
We'll see what happens. Never a dull moment here!
I love being right by everything. Yesterday, Patrick, Miriam and I walked to the Shuk to get some things we needed. The Shuk is quite the experience; it's like being in the Old City in the sense that you have to bargain for things. And they also have great fruit, vegetables, bread, meat, and tons of candies and desserts there for a reasonable price. And now I'm right down the street!
A little bit later I walked a minute from my place to get the best donut ever. And it was only 3 shekels, which is less than a dollar. That might be my new morning breakfast routine.
Another fun thing we did since I've been back is go to a party at this coffee shop. Apparently, everyone told the owner that the coffee shop was going to fail but it is actually pretty successful, so they celebrated its success by reading eulogies. What makes this coffee shop unique is that instead of paying per cup of coffee you pay per hour. And everything is self-serve. So you can go in and drink as much coffee as you want (they also have fruit and other snacks available) and then you just pay based on the amount of time you spent there. I think I'll check this place out when school starts.
Today, a bunch of us are going to a concert on the beach.
Did I mention it's still in the 80's and sunny here? :)
~~~
There is some big news in Israel today. Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was captured by Hamas 5 years ago, was finally released in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. He was only 19 years old when he was captured. In order to raise awareness, Shalit's parents camped in front of the prime minister's house for over a year. Most Israeli's are excited about the release, but some are hesitant because of the obvious danger of releasing 1,000 Palestinian terrorists whose main goal is to destroy Israel.
We'll see what happens. Never a dull moment here!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Poland Spring and Sausage.
I finally made it back to the US! It was looking doubtful for a while there because traveling out of Israel is always a challenge.
It started when Miriam, who had a morning flight yesterday, texted me this: "Houston, we may have a problem." She went on to tell me that there was some labor dispute at the airport and she was waiting on the runway. She was concerned that all the flights would be canceled for the day. (Mine was supposed to leave later that night.) But after a couple of hours the labor dispute was over and they were on their way.
I got to the airport 3 hours before my flight. After the security people took everything out of my large suitcase and shoved it back in, I got chosen to go through the "special security line," which was the same line I had to go through on my way to Istanbul. In this line they take everything out of your carry-on bags and wipe the items down with a cloth that they then run through some machine to make sure there are no strange substances detected. Everything was fine in this special line until the girl in front of me was suddenly surrounded by four security guards with earpieces in and everything. It turns out she had a bullet in her bag that an IDF soldier had given to her. Fail.
To make a long story short, I barely made my flight even though I got to the airport 3 hours early.
Always an adventure!
So, I am sitting in Philadelphia now waiting for my connecting flight to Nashville. I stopped off at Au Bon Pain and got myself some good old American Poland Spring water and a sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich on an asiago cheese bagel. Yummy to my tummy.
As I'm eating I'm chatting on gchat with Miriam, who is also back in the US for a couple of weeks, and we are talking about the little things we miss about living in the US. She said this: "dude. i just had raspberries on my cereal while reading the target ad. remember target?" I laughed out loud in the middle of the airport when I read this. I told her I am definitely going to make some target runs and in between these I am going to eat an insane amount of steak.
Ah, home sweet home. :)
What's so cool about being back in the US though is that at the end of my stay here I'm pretty sure I'll be homesick for Tel Aviv. That's a really good thing.
It started when Miriam, who had a morning flight yesterday, texted me this: "Houston, we may have a problem." She went on to tell me that there was some labor dispute at the airport and she was waiting on the runway. She was concerned that all the flights would be canceled for the day. (Mine was supposed to leave later that night.) But after a couple of hours the labor dispute was over and they were on their way.
I got to the airport 3 hours before my flight. After the security people took everything out of my large suitcase and shoved it back in, I got chosen to go through the "special security line," which was the same line I had to go through on my way to Istanbul. In this line they take everything out of your carry-on bags and wipe the items down with a cloth that they then run through some machine to make sure there are no strange substances detected. Everything was fine in this special line until the girl in front of me was suddenly surrounded by four security guards with earpieces in and everything. It turns out she had a bullet in her bag that an IDF soldier had given to her. Fail.
To make a long story short, I barely made my flight even though I got to the airport 3 hours early.
Always an adventure!
So, I am sitting in Philadelphia now waiting for my connecting flight to Nashville. I stopped off at Au Bon Pain and got myself some good old American Poland Spring water and a sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich on an asiago cheese bagel. Yummy to my tummy.
As I'm eating I'm chatting on gchat with Miriam, who is also back in the US for a couple of weeks, and we are talking about the little things we miss about living in the US. She said this: "dude. i just had raspberries on my cereal while reading the target ad. remember target?" I laughed out loud in the middle of the airport when I read this. I told her I am definitely going to make some target runs and in between these I am going to eat an insane amount of steak.
Ah, home sweet home. :)
What's so cool about being back in the US though is that at the end of my stay here I'm pretty sure I'll be homesick for Tel Aviv. That's a really good thing.
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