Israel Update 1

Hello All,

Today I landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel at 8:00AM. Next to me on the flight was a wonderful educator named Sholom who was incredibly encouraging and gave me some wonderful words of advice and was just a friendly travel companion. There were so many children on the plane and they were all well behaved (some better behaved than their parents!). The flight staff was wonderful, the food actually edible, and mostly I either listened to Israeli Music on my iPod (HaDag NaChash, Subliminal, Ivri Lider and more on the Top 40 list who I can’t remember at the moment) or I slept.

After a quick stop at passport control and customs I made my way to the main greeting area and met up with my friend Itai (a fellow Linguist). After some much needed coffee (which they make nice and strong here) I was ready to start the day and we made our way on the Tel Aviv Train to HaHagana Street Station where I’ll be staying for the first few days (with my gracious host) before I head East to Jerusalem on Sunday (where I’ll be staying at Heritage House) and then north to HaZareah and Nazareth (where I’ll be staying at the Fauzi Azar Inn).

After dropping off my things and showering (after a 9+ hour flight, it’s really better to de-grunge before trying to make new friends in a new country…otherwise, they sort of stand a few feet back and make funny faces at you) we made our way two stops over from the HaHagana Street Station to Arlozorov and strolled through the city as I got myself oriented to the area (water goes left, Jerusalem goes right, Nazareth is up, Eilat is down).

After a quick stop for some Falafel (authentic, even!) we walked thirty minutes to the Beach (the first time I’ve seen the other side of the Atlantic in my life) and I dove in, shorts, t-shirt and all. The water here is crystal clear, you can see perfectly the zig-zagging sand on the bottom as it’s shaped by the waves. The weather is nice and warm and there’s plenty of sun to go around. I swam for about an hour, letting the waves rock me back and forth on my back and while my friend napped, I just relaxed, floating around and taking in all of the people sunbathing (beauty here, is everywhere…I’ve never seen anything like it). I have been more relaxed here, today than I have been anywhere else in months. After I was done swimming in the ocean (and properly soaked) I walked around the beach and eventually wanted to explore some more. Since Itai was tired (rightfully so, he’s been working overtime on a translation piece) he decided to head back to his place and nap while I wandered around Tel Aviv some more and let my clothes dry off with the sun.

The city as a whole is exciting and gorgeous and above all else, just interesting…the buildings are unique and create a style all their own with their cement facades and stucco fronts creating a laid back atmosphere in a country that can be incredibly tense and intense at times. Twisty streets are lined with palm trees and flowers and plants and paved with cut stones; clothing that one no longer wants or needs is just left upon a park bench or a wall for a stranger who may want a skirt, or a shirt, or some designer Diesel underwear (‘eh, someone will pick it up and use it, I’m done with it’) and a multitude of languages are spoken all around you.

In the Shook, there is a smell of fresh produce that just overwhelms the senses. You really have to experience it first hand to understand it, I have no words to do it justice. The fresh baking bread is rolled and baked in front of you, the fresh cut fruits and vegetables are all vibrant and they create a kaleidoscope around you with their wonderful colors. Dogs scurrying around barking and playing with each other (and the children chasing after them) and of course, people everywhere haggling for the best price…all create a cacophony of noise and color that is actually pleasing to the senses rather than alarming or overwhelming. People here are not only practical, but have a wonderful sense of humor and while it’s dry…it keeps you sharp and on your toes. Mostly though, I keep quiet and try to blend into the crowd so I can pay attention and just absorb myself in the language and culture that I find surrounding me.

Everywhere you go here people are on Vespas and Motorcycles or Bikes or Walking or Running or Jogging and the weather is just right to get outside and be active (a stark difference from the cold Buffalo Winters I’ve grown accustomed to after five years at University). Tel Aviv is built for commuters and those who use public transport; which is great given that my preferred method of transportation in any country are my Birkenstocks.

As it turns out, not only am I lucky enough to be in Israel to begin with (which is just, such a blessing to begin with)…but Tel Aviv Pride happens to be this Friday (which I only found out today, by pure chance) and I’ll be attending to show my support for both Israel (who can always use another voice of support) and the LGBT Community here. I’m not sure who the organizers have lined up as entertainment, but I can be reasonably sure that there’ll be good music and dancing and the usual going ons that one finds at Pride.

It is a very weird feeling, walking around going “so this is where it all began…” I have my pocket Tanakh with me acting as one of my historical guides, so to speak and combining that with my map, words of advice from friends, family and the locals I’ve been speaking to…this is lining up to be a wonderful, wonderful trip.

I head to Jerusalem on Sunday by train, instead of bus, so I can take the Scenic route and see some of the country (I’ll be posting photos to my website: nomadmatan.net – shortly). More updates as I can write them.

The current time in Israel is 10:35PM on 2006-June-06; in Long Island, NY it is 3:35PM on 2006-June-06 (there’s a seven-ish hour difference).

Laila Tov! (Goodnight!)

– M