While waiting on the sidewalk to cross the street, an old lady approached me - as if I had met her before- and asked me something in Hebrew. Understanding only half of what she said, I wrinkled my forehead. She asked me "At mevina oti?" (Do you understand me?). I said No. After she rephrased it, I understood and agreed to help.
When the light turned green, I held her soft, wrinkly hand to help her cross the street. She wasn't feeling so good so she wanted to make sure she would make it safely to the other side. And she did. As our hands parted, she thanked me and wished me a Shana Tovah (Happy New Year).
Only in Israel is the bond so close between citizens that you ask a complete stranger for help, but feel like they will do anything to make sure you are okay, even though they met you five minutes ago!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Take a Walk
After dinner with a girlfriend in Yafo, I took one look at the view of Tel Aviv, felt the breeze against my skin and decided to walk back to my place in South TLV.
As I heard the waves crashing, I heard Hebrew and Arabic in passing, as well as the typical French and Russian. Along the whole boardwalk I saw the following: friends talking on a bench, people drinking in parking lots, couples having a romantic moment on the beach, an Muslim family taking pictures, friends and couples eating dinner and having drinks, passerby's exercising and riding bikes, an Israeli family having a BBQ... While all of this is happening I can't help to think to myself that it is 11pm on a Saturday night (the last night of the weekend in Israel) and it seems like Friday's in America. So much action yet tranquility at the same time! I thought at that very moment that I'm so lucky to be able to experience a life like this; of 90% joy and happiness. Israel is very much like Europe; most smoke and the cafe's are full 24/7. There's a laid back attitude here. There's a mentality of 'I can do it later' which is good and bad, but mostly good because they enjoy the now. This is one of the reasons why I love the life in Israel... they don't merely exist, they live!
When I arrived home, I felt like the stroll was well worth it, and I felt the positive energies from this country! There is no place like Israel!
As I heard the waves crashing, I heard Hebrew and Arabic in passing, as well as the typical French and Russian. Along the whole boardwalk I saw the following: friends talking on a bench, people drinking in parking lots, couples having a romantic moment on the beach, an Muslim family taking pictures, friends and couples eating dinner and having drinks, passerby's exercising and riding bikes, an Israeli family having a BBQ... While all of this is happening I can't help to think to myself that it is 11pm on a Saturday night (the last night of the weekend in Israel) and it seems like Friday's in America. So much action yet tranquility at the same time! I thought at that very moment that I'm so lucky to be able to experience a life like this; of 90% joy and happiness. Israel is very much like Europe; most smoke and the cafe's are full 24/7. There's a laid back attitude here. There's a mentality of 'I can do it later' which is good and bad, but mostly good because they enjoy the now. This is one of the reasons why I love the life in Israel... they don't merely exist, they live!
When I arrived home, I felt like the stroll was well worth it, and I felt the positive energies from this country! There is no place like Israel!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
You know your Israeli or are in Israel when... (TLV edition)
- you wear sandalim daily
- the water that's dripping on you is not rain, it's water from the air conditioning pipe
- you see a crib on wheels used as a stroller.. with minimum 4 kids in it
- you take the NO PARKING sign as a recommendation
- you wear jeans/ cargo shorts/ sneakers to a wedding
- you see kids squatting next to a tree because the closest bathroom is too far away
- an Israeli asks an oleh/ tourist "From where are you?"
- you say "Ufff" when something bad happens
- you are standing in a blob instead of a line
- kids shrug their right shoulder and lean head to the right instead of simply saying No.
- you ask for cups of water and get it at the end of the meal, if at all
- you wind the paper towel around your hand ten times only to clean up a little spill
- you put the used toilet paper in the tube
- your answer to most questions are ככה
- the only way cars stop at the pedestrian crosswalk is to start crossing
- you smell the delicious shabbat meal of your religious neighbors
- you can't text on sidewalks or you will step on multiple piles of dog shit
- there are more cats on the street than people
- someone is trying to bargain on a sale item
Feel free to contribute :)
- the water that's dripping on you is not rain, it's water from the air conditioning pipe
- you see a crib on wheels used as a stroller.. with minimum 4 kids in it
- you take the NO PARKING sign as a recommendation
- you wear jeans/ cargo shorts/ sneakers to a wedding
- you see kids squatting next to a tree because the closest bathroom is too far away
- an Israeli asks an oleh/ tourist "From where are you?"
- you say "Ufff" when something bad happens
- you are standing in a blob instead of a line
- kids shrug their right shoulder and lean head to the right instead of simply saying No.
- you ask for cups of water and get it at the end of the meal, if at all
- you wind the paper towel around your hand ten times only to clean up a little spill
- you put the used toilet paper in the tube
- your answer to most questions are ככה
- the only way cars stop at the pedestrian crosswalk is to start crossing
- you smell the delicious shabbat meal of your religious neighbors
- you can't text on sidewalks or you will step on multiple piles of dog shit
- there are more cats on the street than people
- someone is trying to bargain on a sale item
Feel free to contribute :)
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Yom HaZicaron
Today is Yom HaZicaron, Memorial Day for all of the fallen soldiers that sacrificed their lives for the independence and the existence of Israel. On this day, most businesses are closed; restaurants, nightclubs, theaters, etc, to not distract from this day.
On my way to the memorial ceremony, the planned siren went off in the whole country. All drivers stopped their cars, even those on the highway, all pedestrians stopped walking. I took off my headphones, stood still and in silence for one minute to observe this moment. I have never been a part of such a touching moment!
There were about a thousand people at the ceremony at Rabin Square; the lucky ones sitting by the stage. There was an opening speech and then the performances began. A singer sang a few songs then a video of family members, girlfriends, who had a son or partner, pass away during a war were being interviewed, showing pictures, black & white videos of war... It was very emotional. Then a different artist came on stage to sing more sad songs and so on. Most of the people that attended the ceremony can relate to this situation; since this country is on the small scale chances are they know someone who was killed in a war. I, a citizen of this country for nearly two years, have a friend whose brother died in the Second Lebanon War. It is simply the way of life here. Israel has been fighting for itself, literally since the day it gained independence in 1948.
On my way to the memorial ceremony, the planned siren went off in the whole country. All drivers stopped their cars, even those on the highway, all pedestrians stopped walking. I took off my headphones, stood still and in silence for one minute to observe this moment. I have never been a part of such a touching moment!
There were about a thousand people at the ceremony at Rabin Square; the lucky ones sitting by the stage. There was an opening speech and then the performances began. A singer sang a few songs then a video of family members, girlfriends, who had a son or partner, pass away during a war were being interviewed, showing pictures, black & white videos of war... It was very emotional. Then a different artist came on stage to sing more sad songs and so on. Most of the people that attended the ceremony can relate to this situation; since this country is on the small scale chances are they know someone who was killed in a war. I, a citizen of this country for nearly two years, have a friend whose brother died in the Second Lebanon War. It is simply the way of life here. Israel has been fighting for itself, literally since the day it gained independence in 1948.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Tel Aviv like I've never seen before
Tel Aviv is to Israel what Manhattan is to New York. Most young people from not only Israeli cities and towns, but also from all over the world, strive to live in Tel Aviv. It is a young, chic, expensive and fast-paced city. This comparison became much more a reality this week. For a city that has summer six months out of the year, and the winter season averaging at 17 degrees 〫(63 degrees ), this abrupt weather change came out of left field. The Tel Aviv residents were in shock Monday when they woke up to shaking windows from the strong winds, and air so frigid they were wearing layers under their clothes, thick jackets, gloves and hats -- if they owned them! We had about two days of this uncommon weather before it also started to hail - not once, but twice in one day. On top of this, the Ayalon highway was flooded so people couldn't even get to work! The weather caused a bit of a detour and distraction for Isael. As I lay in bed around midnight with Under Armour under my pajamas, long socks, a blanket on top of my comforter, windows and shutters closed with the heater on, I was pretty convinced I was in New York!
But the Tel Aviv weather was nothing compared to Jerusalem and the north of the country where it was snowing!! Yes, I was also not aware that snowing in parts of the Middle East was a common occurrence. Families stayed home from school and work and bundled up to make snowmen. The surrounding neighborhoods (by surrounding I mean towns as far as an hour away) visited Jerusalem to see what all of the hype was about! But don't be mistaken. This weather is not enough to stop believers from visiting the Wailing Wall.
But the Tel Aviv weather was nothing compared to Jerusalem and the north of the country where it was snowing!! Yes, I was also not aware that snowing in parts of the Middle East was a common occurrence. Families stayed home from school and work and bundled up to make snowmen. The surrounding neighborhoods (by surrounding I mean towns as far as an hour away) visited Jerusalem to see what all of the hype was about! But don't be mistaken. This weather is not enough to stop believers from visiting the Wailing Wall.
Happy winter to all. Stay warm!
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