Winter in Israel
So, in Israel, this is the season of Krembos (chocolate marshmallow things) but sufganiyot are all done. But we are starting to see Hamentashen (cookies for purim) roll out in the bakeries. That and costumes. Purim is like halloween and happens at the beginning of March this year. It's the most fun holiday of the year. We are also in the throes of winter, and Matan yesterday declared that he doesn't like winter in Israel. Why? Because it's too cold. HA! Yes, matan and I put on our jackets when it dips under 20 degrees celsius! Whoa...did I just communicate in celsius? Naturally? Would you look at that!
Due to circumstances that I won't go into, I've had my son to myself for the past couple of weeks and to keep us distracted from missing the other half of the family, we have engaged in a few adventures.
We went to our first movie in Israel (Star Wars!)
the Stalagtite cave (Maarat Hanetifim)
played hooky for a day and went to Safari in Ramat Gan.
One of the most amazing things is how many Israelis have called me to make sure we are okay and to invite me for shabbat or meals. I can't even express the gratitude I have for all these people who have called and cared about how we are doing. The stereotypical "rudeness" of Israelis is juxtapositioned against absolute kindness and warmth of strangers, neighbors, friends, and family who have checked on me, and tried to do what they can to make my experience easier.
We went to Efrat, and on the way back, my cousin took me to see Kever Rachel (where THE Rachel from the Torah is buried). Below you can see my son praying (he was actually praying that I'd say "yes" to the snake his grandpa would buy him if I agree and yes, this picture definitely put me over the edge...I think we'll be adding a new reptilian member to our family in a few months). To go to this burial site, you go through a separate 1 km road that has walls all around it as it's right adjacent to Bethlehem. It is one of those super important sites to Judaism that is surrounded by areas that are largely Palestinian Arab, which only highlights how challenging the situation in Israel is.
Shabbat in Efrat...
Yes, Matan and I are making sure to consume enough sugar to keep us going on our adventures. At least, we're burning it off on horseback.
Food festival at school below means we once again are making sure to include all the food groups in our diet.
We went to eat in a restaurant called Blackout where blind waiters help you navigate eating a lovely meal in complete (and I mean utter) darkness in Yaffo. Have I mentioned how much I love Yaffo? Matan found the restaurant really frustrating in the beginning (talk about having to "let go"! You can't even see your own fingers after an hour. It is UTTER DARKNESS!). But then, he thought it was the most amazing experience and thinks everyone should do it.
We went to Max Brenner and ate lots of chocolate!
And on that note, I have been working on part 1 of my Fulbright research, finally working on the paper and developing part 2. I am enjoying this experience immensely. I'd rather reveal it when I'm done as it's a work in progress :)
I started taking lessons in Krav Magen, which is Israeli self-defense for hand-to-hand combat. I'm learning that I better not get attacked any time soon, because I have a LOT to learn. I also do art class once a week to focus on my drawing skills, as I want to develop my abilities in design. Matan and I horseback ride western once a week, which I have decided I like much more than Eastern riding.
Due to circumstances that I won't go into, I've had my son to myself for the past couple of weeks and to keep us distracted from missing the other half of the family, we have engaged in a few adventures.We went to our first movie in Israel (Star Wars!)
the Stalagtite cave (Maarat Hanetifim)
played hooky for a day and went to Safari in Ramat Gan.
At the end, we went to Namal Tel Aviv (the Tel Aviv port which is like Woodbury Commons but cooler and on the mediterranean) and got a haircut which now means I can half an extra 3 minutes in the morning because his hair wakes up already styled!
One of the most amazing things is how many Israelis have called me to make sure we are okay and to invite me for shabbat or meals. I can't even express the gratitude I have for all these people who have called and cared about how we are doing. The stereotypical "rudeness" of Israelis is juxtapositioned against absolute kindness and warmth of strangers, neighbors, friends, and family who have checked on me, and tried to do what they can to make my experience easier.
We went to Efrat, and on the way back, my cousin took me to see Kever Rachel (where THE Rachel from the Torah is buried). Below you can see my son praying (he was actually praying that I'd say "yes" to the snake his grandpa would buy him if I agree and yes, this picture definitely put me over the edge...I think we'll be adding a new reptilian member to our family in a few months). To go to this burial site, you go through a separate 1 km road that has walls all around it as it's right adjacent to Bethlehem. It is one of those super important sites to Judaism that is surrounded by areas that are largely Palestinian Arab, which only highlights how challenging the situation in Israel is.
"the grave of Rachel, our mother"
YAFFO!
Rain is a really important phenomenon here, and when we received nearly 24 hours of rain, it was a huge deal (with a big lead-up). I was sent three memes that day. I also was got some incredible videos of the floods in the desert that occur after a major storm like this. Literally, there are rivers all of a sudden.
"regarding the big storm on friday, I don't want to stress you out but my friend was by the safari in ramat gan, and said the animals are lining up in pairs"
"the ark stops in ramat hasharon, raanana, kvar saba, and hod hasharon"
"I don't want to hear excuses. Academics are academics"
And on that note, I have been working on part 1 of my Fulbright research, finally working on the paper and developing part 2. I am enjoying this experience immensely. I'd rather reveal it when I'm done as it's a work in progress :)
I started taking lessons in Krav Magen, which is Israeli self-defense for hand-to-hand combat. I'm learning that I better not get attacked any time soon, because I have a LOT to learn. I also do art class once a week to focus on my drawing skills, as I want to develop my abilities in design. Matan and I horseback ride western once a week, which I have decided I like much more than Eastern riding.
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