Love and Shabbat

So the craziness continued today. Of course. I mean becoming a new immigrant in any country is an adventure in of itself. But this country is famous for its quirks...or as they say an "Only in Israel Moment"

I promised pictures and I took some of the lovely great city of Ra'anana where I am living and of my room. I am staying in what's called a mercaz klita (absorption center) which is basically just a dorm room with a kitchen, bathroom and dining room area.

The friggen doves or pigeons or whatever they are need to die. They're my new morning wakeup call much like roosters are to Americans. I'm thinking of slowly poisoning them or something. Or just beating them with a broom. Either or. Just to get them away from my window.

---

Let me describe Ra'anana for those especially who think I'm only living a big huge sand dune with no internet and phone. Prepare to be amazed.

Ra'anana (which sounds like the word banana but with an Rah sound before it) is as they say, the "Pearl of the Sharon". Every Israeli loves this town because it's beautiful. Long ago, it was founded by a group of New Yorkers so you can guess that it's very anglo and english friendly here....which of course is helpful but at the same time can be a hindrance because I want to practice my Hebrew as much as I can.

Anyways, there is TONS of culture here such as musical concerts, paintings, murals, and parks. The amount of parks here is amazing. There's a park every couple of blocks and the biggest one is Park Ra'anana where I took most of the pictures in this blog. It's this big walking path with a small zoo, a lake with a million koi (big goldfish), a very cool cafe, and this giant playground. It's really really cool in a nutshell.

There are all types of food here, I had Thai food last night and you can also get a quick falafel (chickpea, onions, spices, all rolled into a ball and fried) as well. The weather is great, the shopping is cheap if you know the right places and you can always ask for a "hanahah" (discount). Haggling except in the major retail stores, is expected here. Which speaking of discount stores...I totally found the dollar store today and was super excited as that's what I've been looking for these past 2 days! It made me quite happy.

The bus systems here are fairly efficient, as is the Post Office where you do everything from paying bills, to getting receipts, to even banking. There is a free library here where you can print and fax for free as well. Speaking of money, it's 4.2 NIS (new Israeli shekle) for every $1. Not too shabby, but not too good either. I basically double my money.

So...the town has wi fi, internet cafes, and I have a cell phone. No sand, although the beach in Hertzaliya (about 20 minutes from me) is beautiful. I'm right on the Mediterranean for heaven's sakes. The weather here has been amazing...I've been walking around in a sweater in the morning but by noon am taking it off and wearing just a tshirt. It's supposed to be around 70 degrees this coming week so maybe I'll bust out the shorts. Be jealous.

---

Anyways...onto the days events in quick succession.

I got in around 1am from hanging out at the Irish pub in Cinema City (a big movie theater complex) and had to get up at 645am, which for you guys is about 1145pm or midnight to go to Misrad Hapnim (Ministry of Interior) to get my Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID Card for citizens). The office opens at 8am and you try to get there early or the lines will be out the door and down the street. My plan worked because I was #3 on the list and was in and out in less than 1/2 hour. Awesomeness.

So then after that I hopped on my new friend, Egged Bus #29 and headed back to Ra'anana and on the way stopped at Mercantile Bank, which turned out to be my favorite new place. Sounds weird but here's the story:

So I walk in all ready to just get information and the next thing I know I'm talking to the bank manager and finding out that the benefits this bank gives blow every other bank I talked to out of the water. They give me cake she made herself, tea with mint she grew in her garden and we were talking up a storm (in half English and half Hebrew) and the next thing I know, I'm being invited to her house for Shabbat dinner to meet her single 22 year old son!

For those of you who don't know...Shabbat is the Judaism day of rest. It starts at sundown Friday evening and goes till sundown Saturday. For those who are religious and observe, there are many things you can't do such as write anything, turn on any lights, etc. For those who are not observant, its just a day of rest. In Israel, most stores are shut down and basically no one is on the roads. It's when you relax.

But anyways...so after I opened up my brand new bank account, I found myself walking home when I get a call from Ika (the bank manager) asking me what time her husband and son should pick me up tomorrow! :)

And THAT my friend is an "Only in Israel" moment. I love it!

---

So...here's the pictures I promised and I'll write more soon. I'm sure I'll have some stories for you guys later on this weekend.

Laila tov! (goodnight)

---

---