Patience, the most Jewish of Virtues

Okay, so I finally got the last of the dead sea mud out of my belly button, but I still haven’t gotten to posting more about Israel.  I’ve got it all written down (old-school, pen and paper style) so rest assured that my adventures will be available in digital form eventually.  Just a little patience, people!

On another note, I am bummed that Paradise Now didn’t win best foreign language film at the Oscars last night. Everyone should go see it anyway!

How Was Your Flight?

My friend Drew is sorry he ever asked this question.

Me: i couldn’t even sleep on the flight cuz of all the yentas up chatting with their friends
Me: and screaming 4 rows back
Me: i will never fly el al again; its like the offical airline for Annoying People Who Don't Sit Down Like Normal People
drew@home: APWDSDLNP airlines 8-)
Me: yes. it was SO ANNOYING
Me: a planeful of linda richmans who dont sit down and shutup except for turbulence, at which point they whip out the prayer books to avert a crash.
drew@home: lol
Me: thank god for turbulence, man. only time i slept
Me: AND i had my 30 decibel earplugs in
drew@home: but...it iwas equipped with anti missle defense systems :-D
drew@home: holla!!!!!!!
Me: you mean "challahhhhh"!
drew@home: that i do my fair jew

Yom Yafe

Okay so I'm not sure if the grammar is good but I'm trying to say its
a beautiful day!!! I write this from the promenade in Tel Aviv, a cool
Mediterranean breeze on my back, and the blazing hot sun on my face.
Sure beats New York in the winter (sorry guys).

The rest of the group flew home this morning, and today I have most of
the day free untill I meet my cousins at 4:00 at the Arlozorov train
station. In between, I'll be sunning myself, exploring galleries in
Yaffo, and shopping on Shenkin Street.

More later!

Camel Etiquette

Riding a camel sounds very glamorous. I imagine crossing sand dunes and drinking exotic teas while perched atop these desert animals. But I didn't imagine the idea of being unable to feel my legs for 20 minutes after dismount. Not the most comfortable of rides, I think elephants are much more comfortable.

Apparently they are also quite friendly with one another.

Salaaaaaaaam!

Od yavo' shalom aleinu
Od yavo' shalom aleinu
Od yavo' shalom aleinu
Ve al kulam (x2)

Salaam (Salaam)
Aleinu ve al kol ha olam,
Salaam, Salaam (x2)

Peace will come upon us
Peace will come upon us
Peace will come upon us
and on everyone.

Salaam ('peace' in Arabic)
On us and on everyone
Salaam, Salaam

Where Carbs Go To Die

Machne Yehuda Market, in Jerusalem, is a magical place. Loosely translated, "Mache" means "Where" and "Yehuda" means "Carbs Go To Die." So, naturally, we payed our respects to the many varieties of carbohydrate for sale in this bustling market, hours before the start of shabbat. More food porn below:

Most Bang for the Sheckel

One word. Ruggalach.

While I'm not a huge fan of these at home (though the ones at Zabar's are decent), the Jerusalem-baked ruggalach had me coming back for seconds (and thirds). There must be some mystical ingredient in these bad boys, because I was helpless to resist.

And at a sheckel each, I didn't have to!

1. Bake:

2: Gawk:

3. Enjoy! Bete Avon!

Yad Vashem

We spent the morning at Yad Vashem, on a guided tour of the galleries
and memorials. We could have spent days, but we had only hours,
leaving many of us wanting to come back. Masha, a holocaust survivor
who was finally liberated at Bergen Belsen, had us alternating between
tears and smiles as she shared her story.

It was a different experience this time, as new galleries have been
built since my last visit. It was a very emotional day for all of us,
so what do jews do under stress? Eat!

Next stop was Jaffa St.for Mana Yehuda market and more food than was
necessary, so naturally we all felt at home. Excuse me while I lapse
into a ruggalah-induced coma.

Kol Ha Kovod

We got some Israeli conversation hearts (like our valentines heart
candy with messages on them)... But the Israeli ones are funnier.

"You are a good kid"

"Kol Ha Kovod"•
•Thanks, Dad

"You are the wife of a soldier"

Etc.

Israeli Politics

The following illustration shows how complicated politics can be in Israel.

I have a love/hate relationship with the fence.

Decide for yourself, but for your own sake read a reliable news source.

 

Jerusalem!

We made it to Jerusalem and it seems we may have ditched the rain on
the way! Still cold though.

Been having problems with the mobile blogging so this is sort of a
test post, but also a big "shalom!" If it goes through!