Blogs from Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv District, Israel, Middle East
Thoughts on Yom HaZikaron and Yom Haatzmaut
Published: April 25th 2012Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
April 25th 2012
Love is what remains after you know the truth" Anat Hoffman in a quote about marriage in reference to religion and Israel. Last night as I stood during the tekes at Kikar Rabin, I couldn’t help but choke back a tear or two. The stories were gut wrenching. Mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who lost sons and siblings. They were a beautiful testament to the sacrifice involved in living here, in creating a safe haven for Jews, in the national project that is known as a Jewish state. And yet how different from the conversation that occurred as I was walking to the tekes with two friends – one a sabra and the other an olah. The conversation developed from the sight of an Israeli flag displayed on the mirror on someone’s car, and my sabra ... read more
The "Best" weather condition to start a visit to Israel
Published: March 21st 2012Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
March 20th 2012
The last day before a vacation is always hectic, busy, it's all about running around to get everything done: this time was the same - my friends live in this amazing quit, distant farm when at nights you hear nothing. only bambis dads barking. I, on the other hand, live in central tel aviv. on a main street. the only thing you hear at night here are cars, busses, shouting drunk people, city council meintanece staff and machines, emergency cars, loud young neighbours, etc almost the same To keep them sane and not hating tel aviv from the first day I have decided that we will spend some nights away, at may fathers place (remotish, quiter, larger) away from tel aviv. which means that I too, have to leave home for a week so I have ... read more
Touring Israel - is it possible to be a tourist in my own country?
Published: March 18th 2012Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
March 18th 2012
They said they are coming for a visit and I got excited. "They" are the couple I've lived with in Italy. The couple that taught me Italian (language, culture and cooking), a couple that became friends, mentors, family. Confused? Let's start from the beginning. Early 2007. I've returned to Israel after almost 2 years in east Africa. Couldn't settle back, couldn't understand the culture I've left, the country that had changed, wished to continue traveling. Not touring. Traveling. In a way one can stay in one place and learn about the culture, the people, the language, traditions, and costumes. I didn't want to head back to Africa. Not for a while. A short online research taught me all about wwoofing . I found the light. I've decided to go wwoofing in Italy. What could be more ... read more
Introduction to my Blog
Published: February 5th 2012Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
February 5th 2012
When I started to write a blog for my upcoming travels to Israel and beyond I almost stopped before I began. I heard a lot of criticism from my cohort about personal blogs for people not named Lebron James or Kim Kardashian (what’s up Curt haha). Ultimately my decision came down to the fact that I wanted to keep a virtual location where I could log my memories through photos, videos and the antiquated media of the written word if only for my own pleasure and not anyone else’s. I am sure my mom will end up commenting on everything I post on this site, but I welcome any other friends or family members to engage me through this blog while I travel as I may be unable to communicate in more remote areas of the ... read more
Meditation Preparation
Published: February 3rd 2012Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
February 3rd 2012
No sooner had I bought my ticket to India than I already had an invitation to meditate. Perfect. Because only days after my arrival in Delhi, I’ll be in a strict, ten-day Vipassana meditation course – without any clue of what I’m doing. I’ve never meditated before and I wanted a little taste of what I was getting into. It turns out that meditation is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Within minutes, my right foot had fallen asleep. I tried to block it out and focus on my breath. Eventually, the tingling went away and was replaced by a deeper numbness that began traveling up my leg. Again, I tried to focus on my breath. But, I could hardly even tell I was breathing past the words, thoughts, images that flashed inside ... read more
February 3rd 2012
Tel Aviv lies somewhere between Eritrea and Uzbekistan. From the high cheekbones and dark skins of Africa to the wide-set eyes and porcelain complexions of the Caucasus – and every shape and shade in between – you can find them in Tel Aviv. You can find anything in Tel Aviv, at any time of day or night. If you get a craving for hummus at midnight or remember that you have no clean underwear at 4am, you can take your pick of 24-hour grocery stores or Laundromats to fulfill your needs. Yet, for all its modernity and convenience, Tel Aviv hasn’t lost its small town charm. It still has local grocers, bakers, and butchers who know their customers, and their customers’ children, by name. It has beautiful, white sand beaches and the calm, blue Mediterranean Sea. ... read more
I'm no longer blogging
Published: December 1st 2011Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
December 1st 2011
SO - - - whats going on with you? Why don't you write? Where are you? We miss your updates We have no idea whats going on with you We miss you I know. you are right (those who care enough to write or call or ask) well.. I no longer write as I no linger travel. I have set roots in Tel Aviv (again) I have adopted 2 kitties and fostering a blind-people guide dog puppy. so basically I am a mother of three hyper active puppies... yup, a challenge for my misanthrope personality.... more photos you can see here and they also have a youtube channel.... I have a job - its a part time in an NGO protecting African refugees and asylum seekers residing in Israel (part time, my version = 12 hours ... read more
The new year continued.
Published: October 9th 2011Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
September 30th 2011
Went for a dip in the sea, then trekked about looking for a suitable spot to start street performing, when I came across a small protest camp, an off shoot from the bigger one and from the huge protests that happend in the summer, about cost of living, wealth distrubution and general other stuff the evil governments do to 'their' people. So I was having a chat with the guys there one called david I asked him if it was ok if i camped there for a couple of nights, he said im welcome to. I did some performing (guitar and hula hoop at same time made about a 5er in a hour or less. then tried it again later when it was dark down at the beach, ended up making over a tenner in an ... read more
New Jewish year/ new adventure
Published: October 9th 2011Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
September 29th 2011
So I arrived into Israel Tel Aviv without too much hassel out of everyone who left the plane they decide to question me, seems to happen to me alot here but yeah I got through didn't wait too long this time, I rerember 2 years ago when I crossed the border from Aqaba in Jordan into Eilat in Israel and I had the visa of syria in my passport, I was detained for hours before they let me in, making sure I wasn't a terrorist, that is normal proceedures here. the girls are still as gorgeous as before and they dont wear much either as tel aviv is HUMID, oh well makes sure for a warm nights sleep outside, which is what I choose to do alot of the time as im no way paying for ... read more
Carmel Market or I'm a lot more diplomatic than I realize
Published: July 20th 2011Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv
July 20th 2011
So on Tuesday I went to the Carmel Market and craft market to try and talk to some Taglit/Birthright groups. I went out with the other intern Josep and we took some flyers for the West Bank tour that Windows offers. It's a free tour that we offer to Taglit members (and any one else who wants to go) to educate people about the West Bank and the Palestinians and their living situation. It was awkward when I started as I didn't want to step on any toes or offend the people I was talking to. A lot of people that go on birth right are very biased in favor of Israel, not that its a bad thing, but it makes them reluctant sometimes to consider other points of view. The birth right tours are geared ... read more
