Shabbat Shalom! I have heard quite a hand full of talk about the Carmel Market here in Tel Aviv, and I finally put it to the test today and went out on an adventure to find it. At first I was ready to take the bus--why? Because I had heard from a hand full of people that it was not walking distance. I spent some time waiting at the bus stop this afternoon...waiting, waiting, and waiting. It was raining a little bit so I took this into consideration and thought that is why the bus was late. Eventually, I took it upon myself to ask one more person where the Carmel Market was...they said it was just a ten minute walk away. I was shocked to hear this answer. It really does matter who you ask ... read more

Shalom! It's Monday evening in Israel at 7 PM, and for most of you back home, it's mid-Monday morning so here's wishing each of you a very happy Monday from Israel. Shavuah Tov (this means, have a good week!) It has been a very fast paced but enjoyable past three days. It all began on Friday when I took the train up to the North of Israel. I took the train to Akko, where Snir picked me up. From the bus stop we went to his house where I met his family, dropped my bags quick, got a quick bite to eat, and we were off to tour Israel. We went to see Rosh Hanikra. It's a beautiful site in Israel, and for those of you who aren't familiar with it, it is an area with ... read more

Today was another beach bum day....I think this tallies as number 4 for the beach days thus far in Tel Aviv. I met some more new friends today...l'chaim (to life) to that! My French friend (Remember Davy?) Introduced me to his Russian friend, Margarita (her name is no joke my friends. Margartia from Moscow, Russia.) In addition, Margarita has a friend visiting her right now, Nikita. I call them my -ita Russian friends. We spent nearly 3 hours on the beach, and it was quite windy today. I was told today may be one of the last sunny days in Tel Aviv but I sure hope that is a wrong telling....I'm around non-traditional English speakers quite a bit, and I'm starting to enjoy it more and more every time I am surrounded by them. I find ... read more

Happy Saturday and Shabbat Shalom. Shabbat in Israel is ofcourse much different than a Shabbat I am used to back home. Here in Israel, things stop, stores shut down, and of course, if you are in Jerusalem it is a whole different story...the city truly is at rest. I spent my Shabbat evening with Reuven's family. They live in Rehovot, a 20 minute train ride from Tel Aviv. I'm glad to say I feel more comfortable riding the Israeli train system over the New York subway system...I never quite learned that New York subway system but for some reason a train system in a different language strikes me as easier to understand! I met Reuven's whole family and girlfriend! I was very happy to spend the night eating a delicious home cooked meal instead of the ... read more

Happy Wednesday everyone :) Lastnights adventures truly were a cultural experience, a Hebrew salsa dancing lesson. My friend Reuven is a salsa instructor here in Israel, so he took me out for a night of salsa lessons/dancing! We went to a salsa club in Tel Aviv, not far from Dizengoff (my street). I went with Reuven and a friend of his, who is one of his salsa students. The salsa lessons were divided into different sections (from beginning to advanced). I ofcourse, and Reuven agreed, that I start at beginners. Reuven told the instructor "English please!" at the beginning of the salsa lesson but this did not last through out the whole lesson. Gratefully, I had Reuven translating for me some of the lesson, but this did not make me an advanced salsa dancer! Despite the ... read more