Day 15 (Monday - August 16)
Early in the morning... Not really, but kind of... I woke up and got myself ready for 3 days of family! I went up to Bus 21 station and went to the central bus station in Jerusalem to head over to Tel Aviv and meet my Saba. We went to lunch again and had a good time except for that the stupid heat is, well, stupid. It's so humid there it's unbelievable. After lunch we went back to his house to rest a little. I didn't mean to fall asleep but I did. Air conditioning after awful heat is just amazing. Yes, yes, my Saba now has *working* air conditioning. Later we got ready and headed to Hertzliya to see Eti (my aunt) and her family. It was a lot of fun! Last time I saw them was last year. The baby, is now a year and a half old!!! So big! We ordered sushi for dinner and called it a night.
Day 16 (Tuesday - August 17)
Hung out with the fam again. We went to the beach! I went with Ido (Eti's husband), the 4 boys, and with 3 other friends (!!) to the beach. Fun watching 7 children near a large body of water... It was good though, it got them nice and tired. Hell, it got me nice and tired! Thanks to Ido's famous coffee though I made it to about 10pm... That's right, you try staying up later after watching 7 children at the beach with the craziest heat ever. Yea. That's what I thought.
Day 17 (Wednesday - August 18)
Today was much more hectic. Left Hertzliya at around 10am and went to meet Saba for breakfast at what used to be the Croisonette but is now called Alter Native. After that I said goodbye and headed to Rehovot to meet Rochale! We met up for lunch and she told me all about the trip to the Ukraine she just made following the footsteps of our family to where they grew up and lived until they were forced out by the Germans. Aba - she gave me a couple of things for you that she brought back! We also went to see her mother Henya and when we were all there we called another relatvie, Helen, who lives in LA now. After a while of the good old family stories I headed back to Jerusalem. Hectic day indeed. Hertzliya>>Tel Aviv>>Rehovot>>Jerusalem. Whew. So much running around and this stupid heat I got dehydrated... :( No fun. Much better now though.
Once I got to Jerusalem I was supposed to go out with friends to "Ir HaBira" which is an annual beer festival in Jerusalem. I was too tired so I didn't go. Instead I went with Omer and our friend Galit to a friend's house and we watched the Nightmare Before Christmas. Haven't seen that one in a LONG time. :)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Adventures in Israel - Summer 2010 Part Hamsa
Hello again, it's been a little while. A weekend and such happened so far :)
Day 12 (Friday - August 13)
I finally got to see Niva today!!! She got back from France/England yesterday so I didn't get to see her but the two of us when to the city for a quick drink and just to hang out :) It was so much fun. Then I went back to Omer's and we made HUMUS!!! First time I ever made it! It's a long and tedious task - not really, more for the beans since they were thawed in water for a full day before we ground them. I tried really hard not to eat to much of the humus because I know were I was bound later in the evening - the casa de la familia Spira!
On purpose (and greatful I am indeed that) I only ate breakfast today (other than the humus). I got the the Spira residence for dinner to find out 14 people were dining and Smadi cooked for a whole Kibbutz. I saw Eran and Karen since they just arrived today as well as met Karen's friends who came with them. Karen's parents are coming tomorrow. There was SO MUCH FOOD. Here, let me make you a little jealous:
- Chicken
- Potato in the oven with onion
- Mushroom quiche
- Broccoli quiche
- Humus
- Tehini
- Pita bread (to feed an army)
- Moses in the box (pigs in a blanket on crack)
- Koobe
- Rice stuffed grape leaves
- Falafel
- Salads (of a few sorts).
Needless to say, we were all hungry at the end and the food was terrible!! JK! Hehehe. As I was about to call it a night (as I needed to digest) Asaf called and wanted to go for a quick drink in the city since he needed a break from his paper so we went for a bit, but that was it.
Day 13 (Saturday - August 14)
As all Saturdays should be, it was nice and lazy. Omer went to a family lunch somewhere so I hung out here. When they were done him and his mom came back and I also got to meet his brother and his brother's boyfriend. They're really cool. We sat and watched Top Chef. Then, later, I went out with Niva and Yael (and Liat met us) as we were on a hunt for sushi. We got to a place in Rehavia, but they told us sushi would take 45 minutes so we said "Eff this" and went elsewhere. We ended up at the Restobar which is the name of the current restaurant under my parents' old clinic (it went through generations of other names and owners first such as "Savion", something Italian, and "Cafe Moment"). To my surprise I rand into Rami and Smadar, along with Saba Dan and Miriam, his girlfriend, and Karen's parents! They seem nice :)
After we finished with dinner we went to the Taklit, as we always end up there anyways, and just sat and hung out for a while before we went home. It was late and Yael had a paper to finish.
Day 14 (Sunday - August 15)
Sunday Sunday! Not Jesus' day of rest here! For us it's the first day of the week! But I'm on vacation so it doesn't matter that I'm taking it easy. Hung out with Ayelet today for a while. Helped her avoid doing problems in statistics! She didn't seem to mind. Then I went to the city (where else?!??! c'mon) to meet Yael since I promised her I would watch the Liverpool match with her a good two weeks ago. I don't have a special affinity for Liverpool, but then again, not to any other team either so I was like, mmmkay, I'll go. I met up with her and she was thrilled there was a game and that she finished all her papers and she's a free woman! She was almost ecstatic when she thought they were winning but the score was 1-1. Then, MAYA SHOWED UP! She was in Italy for the past 10 days with her boyfriend Isaac and his family so I haven't seen her all this time. After a while of sitting and talking we got the desire for sushi again so we went to hunt some down.
We first went to Japanica. There was a wait and we were restless. We went on to this other place, that as we got there locked the doors. As we were deciding where else to go, I ran into, who else, but SMADI! and Karen's parents again. I swear they're stalking me. She suggested we go to Sacura but we weren't allowed (by Yael) since her brother was on a date and we weren't allowed to embarrass him, or her, so she forbade it. After a hunt all over the place we decided the only sushi place that was open was by the Taklit, where we were to begin with!!! It's ok, we walked off what we were about to eat, so it wasn't too bad :)
Tomorrow I'm going to Tel Aviv until Wednesday during the day to see Saba and Eti and the fam and on Wednesday I'm going to Rehovot to see Rochale and fam. Gonna be great. Then, Thursday is the WEDDING WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!
Love!
Day 12 (Friday - August 13)
I finally got to see Niva today!!! She got back from France/England yesterday so I didn't get to see her but the two of us when to the city for a quick drink and just to hang out :) It was so much fun. Then I went back to Omer's and we made HUMUS!!! First time I ever made it! It's a long and tedious task - not really, more for the beans since they were thawed in water for a full day before we ground them. I tried really hard not to eat to much of the humus because I know were I was bound later in the evening - the casa de la familia Spira!
On purpose (and greatful I am indeed that) I only ate breakfast today (other than the humus). I got the the Spira residence for dinner to find out 14 people were dining and Smadi cooked for a whole Kibbutz. I saw Eran and Karen since they just arrived today as well as met Karen's friends who came with them. Karen's parents are coming tomorrow. There was SO MUCH FOOD. Here, let me make you a little jealous:
- Chicken
- Potato in the oven with onion
- Mushroom quiche
- Broccoli quiche
- Humus
- Tehini
- Pita bread (to feed an army)
- Moses in the box (pigs in a blanket on crack)
- Koobe
- Rice stuffed grape leaves
- Falafel
- Salads (of a few sorts).
Needless to say, we were all hungry at the end and the food was terrible!! JK! Hehehe. As I was about to call it a night (as I needed to digest) Asaf called and wanted to go for a quick drink in the city since he needed a break from his paper so we went for a bit, but that was it.
Day 13 (Saturday - August 14)
As all Saturdays should be, it was nice and lazy. Omer went to a family lunch somewhere so I hung out here. When they were done him and his mom came back and I also got to meet his brother and his brother's boyfriend. They're really cool. We sat and watched Top Chef. Then, later, I went out with Niva and Yael (and Liat met us) as we were on a hunt for sushi. We got to a place in Rehavia, but they told us sushi would take 45 minutes so we said "Eff this" and went elsewhere. We ended up at the Restobar which is the name of the current restaurant under my parents' old clinic (it went through generations of other names and owners first such as "Savion", something Italian, and "Cafe Moment"). To my surprise I rand into Rami and Smadar, along with Saba Dan and Miriam, his girlfriend, and Karen's parents! They seem nice :)
After we finished with dinner we went to the Taklit, as we always end up there anyways, and just sat and hung out for a while before we went home. It was late and Yael had a paper to finish.
Day 14 (Sunday - August 15)
Sunday Sunday! Not Jesus' day of rest here! For us it's the first day of the week! But I'm on vacation so it doesn't matter that I'm taking it easy. Hung out with Ayelet today for a while. Helped her avoid doing problems in statistics! She didn't seem to mind. Then I went to the city (where else?!??! c'mon) to meet Yael since I promised her I would watch the Liverpool match with her a good two weeks ago. I don't have a special affinity for Liverpool, but then again, not to any other team either so I was like, mmmkay, I'll go. I met up with her and she was thrilled there was a game and that she finished all her papers and she's a free woman! She was almost ecstatic when she thought they were winning but the score was 1-1. Then, MAYA SHOWED UP! She was in Italy for the past 10 days with her boyfriend Isaac and his family so I haven't seen her all this time. After a while of sitting and talking we got the desire for sushi again so we went to hunt some down.
We first went to Japanica. There was a wait and we were restless. We went on to this other place, that as we got there locked the doors. As we were deciding where else to go, I ran into, who else, but SMADI! and Karen's parents again. I swear they're stalking me. She suggested we go to Sacura but we weren't allowed (by Yael) since her brother was on a date and we weren't allowed to embarrass him, or her, so she forbade it. After a hunt all over the place we decided the only sushi place that was open was by the Taklit, where we were to begin with!!! It's ok, we walked off what we were about to eat, so it wasn't too bad :)
Tomorrow I'm going to Tel Aviv until Wednesday during the day to see Saba and Eti and the fam and on Wednesday I'm going to Rehovot to see Rochale and fam. Gonna be great. Then, Thursday is the WEDDING WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!
Love!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Adventures in Israel - Summer 2010 Part Cuatro
And even more updates!
Day 10 (August 11 - Wednesday)
Today was another hot, lazy day. I went to Yael's again and helped her write a paper. Apparently I'm good at it, and in Hebrew too! We went to the mall so I can buy something small for Niva and Omer's moms as a thank you for letting me stay with them, we got some food and went back to her place to watch more Doctor Who. We're obsessed, yes, you can say it.
Best part of it though was my cab ride back just now. Yael and I walked down to the mall to pick up a cab as opposed to calling one in. After negotiating a little with the driver we agreed on 30 shekel. As we turn the corner he sees another girl trying to pick up a cab so he gets her too. She needed to go farther than I did so he said 80 - I make you deal instead of 90. The girl says "no, 70. I only have 100 and I need it for the way back too!" He said to her "fine, 70."
The girl gets into the cab and this conversation happens:
Driver: Did you just come from Shlomi Shabat? (as in, a concert)
Girl: No, just from home.
Driver: And you?? You come from Shlomi Shabat?
Me: No, didn't see him.
Driver: WHY? You don't like Shlomi Shabat?
Me: No, he's fine I just didn't come from the concert.
Driver: Too bad, he's "achla" (meaning, awesome)
Girl: Yea, but I wasn't there. Do you have any gum?
Driver: No, maybe this nice lady has some. "Motek", you have any gum for this nice lady?
Me: You know what? I think I do. (I hand her the gum)
Girl: Waaaai, thanks!
Driver: See what I do for you?!
Girl: Do you mind if I smoke here?
Driver: Me, it's not about me, ask the nice girl here.
Girl: Do you mind?
Me: No, whatever go for it.
THEN - ALL OF A SUDDEN
Driver (to the girl): Where do you go now it's so late? (it's 23:30)
Girl: To my boyfriend's house
Driver: And he doesn't have a car, your boyfriend? Make you take a taxi?
Girl: No, no car.
Driver: Why? What does he do?
Girl: He's a waiter
Driver: Then he should at least pay your taxi. If anything, give you money for taxi later, no one will take you back for 30 shekel! Maybe you should just sleep there and take the bus in the morning.
Girl: I don't like the bus, I'm spoiled.
Driver: Nothing wrong with that, then just make him pay your taxi on the way back, yes? Make him take care of you!
Only in Israel. Taxi drivers know everything about you and give you life lessons!
Sorry this entry was a little long, but I figure, Netta - you should laugh out loud at work.
Day 11 (August 12 - Thursday)
The day started a little differently. I woke up early again (I KNOW!) at about 8:30 to finish packing and move from Niva's to Omer's. Niva and her family were just coming back from Europe and I wanted to give them space to breathe when they get back so I left before they got there. Afterword that day continued as normal as I went back to Yael because I am some sort of muse and she writes a lot when I'm there. Then Yosi came to pick us up and we went out to the city to hang out. :)
BEST PART was after that when Omer came to pick up Yael and I and take us a little outside Jerusalem to see the meteor shower that apparently happens once a year with a friend of his. We went to a place near Yad Hashmona (by Mevaseret and Abu Gosh) and into a little forest area where there weren't many city lights. At first it was really hard to see anything because it was really foggy but then slowly the fog cleared and we could see meteors every now and again. It was really cool! I never saw a meteor shower before. We had tea and cookies in the middle of the night and didn't get back until about 5:00!! That's why it's 13:00 and I just woke up hehe.
Love and love!
Day 10 (August 11 - Wednesday)
Today was another hot, lazy day. I went to Yael's again and helped her write a paper. Apparently I'm good at it, and in Hebrew too! We went to the mall so I can buy something small for Niva and Omer's moms as a thank you for letting me stay with them, we got some food and went back to her place to watch more Doctor Who. We're obsessed, yes, you can say it.
Best part of it though was my cab ride back just now. Yael and I walked down to the mall to pick up a cab as opposed to calling one in. After negotiating a little with the driver we agreed on 30 shekel. As we turn the corner he sees another girl trying to pick up a cab so he gets her too. She needed to go farther than I did so he said 80 - I make you deal instead of 90. The girl says "no, 70. I only have 100 and I need it for the way back too!" He said to her "fine, 70."
The girl gets into the cab and this conversation happens:
Driver: Did you just come from Shlomi Shabat? (as in, a concert)
Girl: No, just from home.
Driver: And you?? You come from Shlomi Shabat?
Me: No, didn't see him.
Driver: WHY? You don't like Shlomi Shabat?
Me: No, he's fine I just didn't come from the concert.
Driver: Too bad, he's "achla" (meaning, awesome)
Girl: Yea, but I wasn't there. Do you have any gum?
Driver: No, maybe this nice lady has some. "Motek", you have any gum for this nice lady?
Me: You know what? I think I do. (I hand her the gum)
Girl: Waaaai, thanks!
Driver: See what I do for you?!
Girl: Do you mind if I smoke here?
Driver: Me, it's not about me, ask the nice girl here.
Girl: Do you mind?
Me: No, whatever go for it.
THEN - ALL OF A SUDDEN
Driver (to the girl): Where do you go now it's so late? (it's 23:30)
Girl: To my boyfriend's house
Driver: And he doesn't have a car, your boyfriend? Make you take a taxi?
Girl: No, no car.
Driver: Why? What does he do?
Girl: He's a waiter
Driver: Then he should at least pay your taxi. If anything, give you money for taxi later, no one will take you back for 30 shekel! Maybe you should just sleep there and take the bus in the morning.
Girl: I don't like the bus, I'm spoiled.
Driver: Nothing wrong with that, then just make him pay your taxi on the way back, yes? Make him take care of you!
Only in Israel. Taxi drivers know everything about you and give you life lessons!
Sorry this entry was a little long, but I figure, Netta - you should laugh out loud at work.
Day 11 (August 12 - Thursday)
The day started a little differently. I woke up early again (I KNOW!) at about 8:30 to finish packing and move from Niva's to Omer's. Niva and her family were just coming back from Europe and I wanted to give them space to breathe when they get back so I left before they got there. Afterword that day continued as normal as I went back to Yael because I am some sort of muse and she writes a lot when I'm there. Then Yosi came to pick us up and we went out to the city to hang out. :)
BEST PART was after that when Omer came to pick up Yael and I and take us a little outside Jerusalem to see the meteor shower that apparently happens once a year with a friend of his. We went to a place near Yad Hashmona (by Mevaseret and Abu Gosh) and into a little forest area where there weren't many city lights. At first it was really hard to see anything because it was really foggy but then slowly the fog cleared and we could see meteors every now and again. It was really cool! I never saw a meteor shower before. We had tea and cookies in the middle of the night and didn't get back until about 5:00!! That's why it's 13:00 and I just woke up hehe.
Love and love!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Adventures in Israel - Summer 2010 Part Shalosh
Here's more! Netta - especially for you if you're THAT bored at work.
Day 7 (August 8 - Sunday)
Today I met up with Ya'ara for lunch at Avichail (the link's in Hebrew, sorry) in Malcha (by the mall) which was a lot of fun. She goes to school in Haifa at the Technion so she just got to Jerusalem yesterday and I haven't seen her since I got here. It was a lot of fun catching up one-on-one :)
Later in the evening I went out with Asaf to the city and we met Yosi, Zloto, and Gal, and Ya'ara met us there later. We hung out at this bar/restaurant called Zabotinsky which was really good. And, as always, the random-est run-ins happen to me when I'm in Israel. First, one of the guys sitting at the table behind us was Michael, who was a year ahead of me in youth group (Hashomer Hatza'ir) (click English) and the first boy I ever asked out myself haha! Not only that, at a different table, another guy, Lotem, who was the same year as Michael, was there with a friend of his which turns out is contestant on "Kochav Nolad" which is the Israeli "American Idol".
Day 8 (August 9 - Monday)
Woke up early in the morning. I mean 8:45 is early when you're on vacation. Picked up Asaf and we headed to Tel Aviv. He had something for an internship meeting there and I had a date with Dvora for the day! I returned the car, which was super convenient to have, and Dvora picked me up and we went to have lunch and have a day at the beach. Believe it or not, I am darker! Woooo!!! I can prove I've been on vacation when I get back. We had a very busy day of lying on the sand, going in the water, rinse, and repeat. Later that evening I went out to dinner with her and 2 of her friends Shani and Maya and they are probably some of the funniest people ever. We went to eat at Goocha (Hebrew link) which is a sea-food place. ANYONE I EVER TOLD I DON'T LIKE SHRIMP: Turns out that I do like it, I'm just apparently SUPER particular. We ate like pigs it was kind of terrible, but mostly awesome. Our waiter was fabulous but not in *that* way. Turns out he was their waiter a few months ago when they went and he "spoiled" them with chasers and desserts and stuff. Same thing happened. By the way, "spoiling" is very common in Israel if the server likes you or the party you're with. He even said "tnu li lefanek otchen" a.k.a. "let me spoil you ladies" haha so we were laughing and having a good time. We were easily there for over 4 hours. Good times.
Day 9 (August 10 - Tuesday)
Woke up slightly later than yesterday - meaning at 11:30. That was awesome. Had to sleep away the calamari, shrimp, and crab, not to mention the wine (2 bottles shared by the 4 of us). Got ready and met up with my Saba (that's Hebrew for grandpa). He took me to lunch and of course got "upset" with how small my meal was. He was convinced I was still hungry although I wasn't so he tricked me to a cafe where all I had was iced coffee and he ordered the "capuccino + baked good" deal and shoved the chocolate croissant on me... I am a starving child, yes? I mean, I know I was all good at home and lost some weight or whatever but I came here knowing ahead of time, some of it will come back because no matter how much I claim that I'm full and not hungry, people don't believe me hahah!
Anyways, after that I met up with Dvora again because she wanted us to get mani-pedis. It was fun and girly. I then met up with Saba again for dinner, this time with Frida also so we ate and talked a while. I love my Saba to no ends but I have to remember to mentally prepare when hanging out with him because he's the philosophizing type and my brain's been on vacation haha. It's all good. I pulled myself together and got out of vacay mode just fine!
No real big plans yet but Thursday I leave la casa de Niva and move to la casa de Omer. This trip is going by TOO FAST!
Day 7 (August 8 - Sunday)
Today I met up with Ya'ara for lunch at Avichail (the link's in Hebrew, sorry) in Malcha (by the mall) which was a lot of fun. She goes to school in Haifa at the Technion so she just got to Jerusalem yesterday and I haven't seen her since I got here. It was a lot of fun catching up one-on-one :)
Later in the evening I went out with Asaf to the city and we met Yosi, Zloto, and Gal, and Ya'ara met us there later. We hung out at this bar/restaurant called Zabotinsky which was really good. And, as always, the random-est run-ins happen to me when I'm in Israel. First, one of the guys sitting at the table behind us was Michael, who was a year ahead of me in youth group (Hashomer Hatza'ir) (click English) and the first boy I ever asked out myself haha! Not only that, at a different table, another guy, Lotem, who was the same year as Michael, was there with a friend of his which turns out is contestant on "Kochav Nolad" which is the Israeli "American Idol".
Day 8 (August 9 - Monday)
Woke up early in the morning. I mean 8:45 is early when you're on vacation. Picked up Asaf and we headed to Tel Aviv. He had something for an internship meeting there and I had a date with Dvora for the day! I returned the car, which was super convenient to have, and Dvora picked me up and we went to have lunch and have a day at the beach. Believe it or not, I am darker! Woooo!!! I can prove I've been on vacation when I get back. We had a very busy day of lying on the sand, going in the water, rinse, and repeat. Later that evening I went out to dinner with her and 2 of her friends Shani and Maya and they are probably some of the funniest people ever. We went to eat at Goocha (Hebrew link) which is a sea-food place. ANYONE I EVER TOLD I DON'T LIKE SHRIMP: Turns out that I do like it, I'm just apparently SUPER particular. We ate like pigs it was kind of terrible, but mostly awesome. Our waiter was fabulous but not in *that* way. Turns out he was their waiter a few months ago when they went and he "spoiled" them with chasers and desserts and stuff. Same thing happened. By the way, "spoiling" is very common in Israel if the server likes you or the party you're with. He even said "tnu li lefanek otchen" a.k.a. "let me spoil you ladies" haha so we were laughing and having a good time. We were easily there for over 4 hours. Good times.
Day 9 (August 10 - Tuesday)
Woke up slightly later than yesterday - meaning at 11:30. That was awesome. Had to sleep away the calamari, shrimp, and crab, not to mention the wine (2 bottles shared by the 4 of us). Got ready and met up with my Saba (that's Hebrew for grandpa). He took me to lunch and of course got "upset" with how small my meal was. He was convinced I was still hungry although I wasn't so he tricked me to a cafe where all I had was iced coffee and he ordered the "capuccino + baked good" deal and shoved the chocolate croissant on me... I am a starving child, yes? I mean, I know I was all good at home and lost some weight or whatever but I came here knowing ahead of time, some of it will come back because no matter how much I claim that I'm full and not hungry, people don't believe me hahah!
Anyways, after that I met up with Dvora again because she wanted us to get mani-pedis. It was fun and girly. I then met up with Saba again for dinner, this time with Frida also so we ate and talked a while. I love my Saba to no ends but I have to remember to mentally prepare when hanging out with him because he's the philosophizing type and my brain's been on vacation haha. It's all good. I pulled myself together and got out of vacay mode just fine!
No real big plans yet but Thursday I leave la casa de Niva and move to la casa de Omer. This trip is going by TOO FAST!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Adventures in Israel - Summer 2010 Part deux
Here's some more fun things that happened! :)
Day 5 (August 6 - Friday)
I saw Eran's parents and sister today! We met for brunch. It was a lot of fun. I then escorted his sister Shir as she went shopping while Smadi and Rami his parents went looking for a necklace for Smadi for the wedding. We found her something GORGEOUS to wear with her dress! She's very excited. Then I went over to Yael's house, since she lives so close to the mall, where we ate, and we continued our Doctor Who adventures. We then decided I should leave for a bit because she wanted to rest before her big night of DJ'ing at the Taklit, so I took advantage of the opportunity to rest also. Then I went back and we got ready to go party the night away at our fave pub.
The Taklit was a blast! First we surprised our friend Tzufit with balloons and a cake because it was her birthday, and then Yosi and Asaf participated in a heavy political debate with this kind-of-British, kind-of-Australian, kind-of-German girl (it's not clear, or "ze lo barur" as we say) about something intense. At first I thought Asaf and Yosi were so enthralled because the girl was gorgeous and blond but then I realized that they disagreed with her opinion and were just that determined to win the argument. That's when Savion and I decided to tune it out and had our own conversation. He's going to Boston for a month and a half a few days before I get back so he was asking me some questions.
The night came to a close and we were all (even me although I'm on vacation) excited that tomorrow brings Saturday, the day of rest, the holy day haha. We decided we should spend it at the beach!!! We all finally disbursed. It was 4am......
Day 6 (August 7 - Saturday)
Woke up at about 11:30am this morning. Needless to say, the beach was an extremely ambitious idea. Also with the heat it's really hard to want to do anything until night time anyways so I spent the day watching a little television until I talked to Ayelet and we decided to eat humus at Abu Gosh. Yea, due to the heat and our laziness, that didn't happen either. Oh well. Finally, we all got our lazy asses up and out of the house and met up for dinner at the Cinemateque. Ayelet and her boyfriend Matan were going to go catch a film there but Yosi, Gidi, and I didn't want to so after (an awesome) dinner (where I had pizza with "eye egg" hehe and smoked salmon) the three of us left them to the film and we went to Yael's house to watch a movie. We watched Son of Rambow, which I've already seen, but LOVED seeing again. One of the cutest movies ever made. I think it's 2007 or 2008. Highly recommended!
I think this will hold you for a little bit. The next few days will be in Tel Aviv so I'll likely only be able to post again by mid-week or so. Ta!
Day 5 (August 6 - Friday)
I saw Eran's parents and sister today! We met for brunch. It was a lot of fun. I then escorted his sister Shir as she went shopping while Smadi and Rami his parents went looking for a necklace for Smadi for the wedding. We found her something GORGEOUS to wear with her dress! She's very excited. Then I went over to Yael's house, since she lives so close to the mall, where we ate, and we continued our Doctor Who adventures. We then decided I should leave for a bit because she wanted to rest before her big night of DJ'ing at the Taklit, so I took advantage of the opportunity to rest also. Then I went back and we got ready to go party the night away at our fave pub.
The Taklit was a blast! First we surprised our friend Tzufit with balloons and a cake because it was her birthday, and then Yosi and Asaf participated in a heavy political debate with this kind-of-British, kind-of-Australian, kind-of-German girl (it's not clear, or "ze lo barur" as we say) about something intense. At first I thought Asaf and Yosi were so enthralled because the girl was gorgeous and blond but then I realized that they disagreed with her opinion and were just that determined to win the argument. That's when Savion and I decided to tune it out and had our own conversation. He's going to Boston for a month and a half a few days before I get back so he was asking me some questions.
The night came to a close and we were all (even me although I'm on vacation) excited that tomorrow brings Saturday, the day of rest, the holy day haha. We decided we should spend it at the beach!!! We all finally disbursed. It was 4am......
Day 6 (August 7 - Saturday)
Woke up at about 11:30am this morning. Needless to say, the beach was an extremely ambitious idea. Also with the heat it's really hard to want to do anything until night time anyways so I spent the day watching a little television until I talked to Ayelet and we decided to eat humus at Abu Gosh. Yea, due to the heat and our laziness, that didn't happen either. Oh well. Finally, we all got our lazy asses up and out of the house and met up for dinner at the Cinemateque. Ayelet and her boyfriend Matan were going to go catch a film there but Yosi, Gidi, and I didn't want to so after (an awesome) dinner (where I had pizza with "eye egg" hehe and smoked salmon) the three of us left them to the film and we went to Yael's house to watch a movie. We watched Son of Rambow, which I've already seen, but LOVED seeing again. One of the cutest movies ever made. I think it's 2007 or 2008. Highly recommended!
I think this will hold you for a little bit. The next few days will be in Tel Aviv so I'll likely only be able to post again by mid-week or so. Ta!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Adventures in Israel - Summer 2010
Hi all!
So I didn't think to do this when I'm here since I try to go every year but it couldn't hurt for those who are interested in what I'm doing here :)
Day 1 - Aug 2 (Monday)
I arrived at Tel Aviv in the late a.m. that day to find out that silly Air Canada didn't make the connection when I was in Toronto so my luggage was delayed. More annoying than anything, but it didn't matter too much I knew it would be alright. Luckily, I got it the next day with the flight that arrived Tuesday morning. I picked up the car I rented and drove up to Jerusalem! First time driving in Israel = success! I went to Niva's house, where I'm staying until the 12th because her and her family are in England and France until then so I'm staying in her room. When they get back, I'll be staying with my friend Omer in his brother's room since his brother doesn't live at home anymore. Later that night a few of us went to "Hutzot Hayotzer" which is an annual festival that happens in Jerusalem in August. It was opening night and Gidi Gov performed which was super awesome! It was a lot of fun :)
Day 2 - Aug 3 (Tuesday)
In the morning my cousins Gidi and Yoni came up to Jerusalem from Netanya and we spent the day together in the newly renovated Israel Museum. Later that night, we came back to the museum for the annual Wine Tasting Festival that lasts 3 days. Lots of wine was tasted, some better than other... My cousins and I were planning on going back down to Netanya that evening which we realized was silly as we were planning on drinking the wine, not just tasting it so my friend Yael, offered that they stay at her place and sleep so we can go back to Netanya in the morning. It was hard to convince Yael to let Brits stay with her hehehe.
Day 3 - Aug 4 (Wednesday)
Gidi, Yoni, and I went down to Netanya and had a fun day together. We had lunch in the center of town (which is FLOODED with French people. I thought they were exaggerating but I'm pretty sure 95% of all languages heard down there was French... I didn't even feel like I was in Israel). For my fam: it was a real Snoopy Disco! Later we went to the beach and worked on our tan before I left them to go back to Jerusalem. When I got back to Jerusalem I went to see Salt with a bunch of friends. I fell asleep... Needless to say, don't see it. Then we went out to grab something to eat and it was fun times :)
Day 4 - Aug 5 (Thursday - today!)
It is SUPER hot. Even for Jerusalem. I woke up at about 10am to my grandfather calling me but then when we hang up I fell right back to sleep. When I was awoken a second time, this time by Yael, it was 1pm (oops). I went over to her house and she told me about some music she wants to use when she DJ's at the Taklit tomorrow. Then we went back to her place and I helped her write a paper (even on vacation I'm doing work, see!) and then we ended with one of the Doctor Who specials that were made after the end of series 4 that don't exist anywhere apparently. For those who know, will understand. Apparently I'm now not allowed to watch series 5 until I finish watching the David Tennant specials. I'm ok with that. In the mean time, and in honor of Prop 8 being overturned (yay!) I'm watching Queer as Folk again :) Thanks Amy!!
That is all for now, hope I didn't bore you too much :)
Love,
Meirav
So I didn't think to do this when I'm here since I try to go every year but it couldn't hurt for those who are interested in what I'm doing here :)
Day 1 - Aug 2 (Monday)
I arrived at Tel Aviv in the late a.m. that day to find out that silly Air Canada didn't make the connection when I was in Toronto so my luggage was delayed. More annoying than anything, but it didn't matter too much I knew it would be alright. Luckily, I got it the next day with the flight that arrived Tuesday morning. I picked up the car I rented and drove up to Jerusalem! First time driving in Israel = success! I went to Niva's house, where I'm staying until the 12th because her and her family are in England and France until then so I'm staying in her room. When they get back, I'll be staying with my friend Omer in his brother's room since his brother doesn't live at home anymore. Later that night a few of us went to "Hutzot Hayotzer" which is an annual festival that happens in Jerusalem in August. It was opening night and Gidi Gov performed which was super awesome! It was a lot of fun :)
Day 2 - Aug 3 (Tuesday)
In the morning my cousins Gidi and Yoni came up to Jerusalem from Netanya and we spent the day together in the newly renovated Israel Museum. Later that night, we came back to the museum for the annual Wine Tasting Festival that lasts 3 days. Lots of wine was tasted, some better than other... My cousins and I were planning on going back down to Netanya that evening which we realized was silly as we were planning on drinking the wine, not just tasting it so my friend Yael, offered that they stay at her place and sleep so we can go back to Netanya in the morning. It was hard to convince Yael to let Brits stay with her hehehe.
Day 3 - Aug 4 (Wednesday)
Gidi, Yoni, and I went down to Netanya and had a fun day together. We had lunch in the center of town (which is FLOODED with French people. I thought they were exaggerating but I'm pretty sure 95% of all languages heard down there was French... I didn't even feel like I was in Israel). For my fam: it was a real Snoopy Disco! Later we went to the beach and worked on our tan before I left them to go back to Jerusalem. When I got back to Jerusalem I went to see Salt with a bunch of friends. I fell asleep... Needless to say, don't see it. Then we went out to grab something to eat and it was fun times :)
Day 4 - Aug 5 (Thursday - today!)
It is SUPER hot. Even for Jerusalem. I woke up at about 10am to my grandfather calling me but then when we hang up I fell right back to sleep. When I was awoken a second time, this time by Yael, it was 1pm (oops). I went over to her house and she told me about some music she wants to use when she DJ's at the Taklit tomorrow. Then we went back to her place and I helped her write a paper (even on vacation I'm doing work, see!) and then we ended with one of the Doctor Who specials that were made after the end of series 4 that don't exist anywhere apparently. For those who know, will understand. Apparently I'm now not allowed to watch series 5 until I finish watching the David Tennant specials. I'm ok with that. In the mean time, and in honor of Prop 8 being overturned (yay!) I'm watching Queer as Folk again :) Thanks Amy!!
That is all for now, hope I didn't bore you too much :)
Love,
Meirav
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