Mediterranean Monday: The Art of Bus-Riding

If my cup of coffee in the morning doesn’t completely wake me up, then the bus rides sure will! Riding the public busses in Tel Aviv is an art form, its not for the faint-of-heart.

You might be thinking, “how difficult is it to ride a bus, come on!?!”

And let me reply, “it’s not difficult, but you need to have gumption and be ready for battle.

First of all, let me start at the beginning. Bus-Riding in Israel 101.

1. While waiting for the bus, remember that lines in Israel do not actually exist.  Everyone will sorta mule around, and when the bus pulls up you must push your way into the huddle.  If you stand back, unassertively, you will be last, and being last as you will see is not a good thing.
2. In the midst of pushing yourself onto the bus, make sure you have some sort of bus pass.  Giving the driver change will just prolong your process and make everyone else annoyed with you.
3. Once you are in, look for ANY available seat.  Being able to sit is a rare treat!
4. If there is no seat you are now one of the many “sardines in the tin”.  Trust me its not fun, but there are some important guidelines for the sardine life:
5. Make sure you have a firm grasp of either a pole or a seat.  I prefer not to use the hangy things from the ceiling, cuz they just are not stable at all.
6. When standing, make sure you have an evenly-balanced position. Legs shoulder-length apart, never together.  You MUST be prepared for the MANY abrupt stops the driver WILL make during the trip. Learning how to shift your weight from your right to left leg, according to stops and take-offs are ESSENTIAL!  This will prevent many akward spills into other people.
7. Make sure you know your stop.  If the bus is full, wading your way through the sardines to the exit of the bus may take a bit of time, so be prepared.
8. And finally, when the bus stops you must be quick to get off.  The driver WILL shut the doors on you or before you have a chance to exit.  Make sure you know the word for driver in Hebrew (nag), and be ready to shout it out, in hopes he’ll give you a second chance an re-open the doors.

As you can see, its not for the weak-minded….

And now you know why I do not look forward to my 4 bus trips everyday.  But, while in Rome (aka, Tel Aviv)……

Mediterranean Monday: Eilat (אילת)

Eilat is Israel’s southernmost city, located on the north tip of the Red Sea. It’s part of the Negev Desert, making it scorching HOT during the summer, and still warm enough to vacation during the winter.  It is definitely one of the most popular travel destinations for Israeli’s, who just want to get away for a few days or the weekend.

As you can see from the map, it is located right on the corner of Israel/Jordan/Egypt.  If you also look closely you will see a blue line going from point A (Tel Aviv) to point B (Eilat). While it might look like quite the journey on the small map, in reality it is only about a 4 hour drive (5 1/2) by bus, more or less.

And here’s the exciting news.  At the end of the week on Thursday night, I will be traveling to Eilat for 3 days!!! My Hebrew class ends on Thursday, and that night my flat-mate and I are taking a MUCH NEEDED trip down south.  Full time-ministry and full-time studies can be exhausting!

We were going to go across the border to Jordan and explore Petra too, but due to some external situations, we decided just to chill in Eilat instead (which isn’t too shabby of an idea).  Petra will have to wait.   

So, what can one do in Eilat, you might ask??? 

Well, while we are there, we plan on doing a scuba dive with the dolphins in the Red Sea at Dolphin Reef (which I am beyond excited about and have ALWAYS wanted to do).  You can take a camel tour, which I am hoping we will also be able to do.  And of course, relaxing on the beach, soaking up the last remnants of summer after a loooooong intensive Hebrew Course! 

I’m sure I will have MANY pictures to post when I return…so stay tuned for more Eilat action to come!

Mediterranean Monday: Lets debate!

The other day in class we were learning the new verbs: (לדון) ladoon and (לריב) lareev.  Ladoon is “to debate” and lareev is “to argue”.  My Ulpan teacher gave us an explanation that just about cracked me up, and if anyone has lived/been to Israel you will totally understand why.  

She gave this example: In the States, you have debates.  One person gives his/her side of the issue, where he/she stands.  Then the other person says, “I see your point, but I believe that…..”  The debate might go on and on this way, one person politely “seeing” the other persons point of view, then giving her/his own.  This is debate.

But, in Israel, debate does not actually exist AT ALL!  It begins with one person giving his/her point of view, then when it’s the next person’s time to talk, he/she immediately begins “arguing” why it is right or wrong.  The conversation completely skips over the “debating” segment into the (heated) argument segment.  

AND HOW TRUE THIS IS!!!!

Even in Israeli politics there is no debate.  Give it one or two minutes and the politicians are yelling at each other (or having a heated argument as some might suggest).  The “debate” will never happen.  

When I first moved to Israel, I felt like everyone was always yelling at me or each other.  Even the normal speaking tone of voice seemed harsh to me.  I would always tell my Israeli friends, “stop yelling at me when you talk”, and they would always respond, “I’m not yelling!”   It was a bit of a shock at first, but now I have totally accustomed myself to it.  Even yesterday when a guy was yelling  speaking with the bicycle store owner, I found myself thinking nothing of it and totally ignoring him.  

So, don’t ask me why לדון actually exists in the Hebrew language…no one here knows how to use it anyways!

Mediterranean Monday: I ♥ The Sea of Galilee

The Galilee region is so seeped in history, its almost impossible to go anywhere that isn’t represented in the Bible and history books. There are many churches, ruins, gardens, and landmarks explaining what happened here in the past:

* The Wedding Church: where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine (they claim to sill have a couple of the original jars from this event)
* The Beattitudes Monastary: On the mountain where the sermon of the Beattitudes took place. 

* The Church on the site where Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth

BUT, my absolute favorite place is the Sea of Galilee!!! There is no claiming  this was the site where something took place; it IS the place where the storm was calmed and HE walked on water.  Surrounded by hills and valleys, trees and shoreline, its absolutely breathtaking.  Standing on the Israel side, you can look across and see what is now Syria.  When I’m here, my mind automatically drifts back into the history and puts pictures with words.  I ♥ it!

Mediterranean Monday (ok its Wed.): It’s Jellyfish Season!

During the months of July-August, we are bombarded with the pesky creatures of the sea, aka…Jellyfish!  They come invading our Mediterranean bliss on their way up north towards Lebanon and beyond.  

We are reminded that they are not dangerous or deadly, but can cause bad burns on the skin where they touch you (try telling a child that they are not dangerous after he/she has just been burned).  

This morning I went to the beach to do some of my “light reading: Iraq to 1958“; this way I could break up the monotony with a few swim breaks.  Low and behold, there were jellyfish in the water.  Personally, I did not get stung, but a young girl did (and made sure the entire beach knew about it).

It reminded me of when I was little and we would take our yearly family vacation to Florida to visit my grandparents.  One year we were at the beach and a jellyfish wrapped itself around my mom’s arm.  I’m sure that she could tell the story better, as I only remember bits and pieces; but I do remember not wanting to go back in the water after that.  It was a really bad sting, and my dad had to get a trash bag in order to grab and pull it off her arm. 

So when you go to the beach this summer, be careful!!! Its an underwater jungle out there….

Any other jellyfish stories floating around??? Mom: you might want to fill in the missing parts….

Mediterranean Monday: Israeli Salad

It’s back! I haven’t done a Med. Monday in quite some time and I’ve been missing it. As a special come-back post, I made a short video of me making Israeli Salad.  Yes, you heard correctly…. I am going to actually prepare it myself!!!  Take a look….

(Don’t worry, its not actually that long…after the credits the song goes on for a bit)

Mediterranean Monday: Jewish Boy Band

As we were leaving the Old City in Jerusalem on Easter Sunday, we happened across these boys who were performing in the square outside of Jaffa Gate.  I’m telling you, they are only a record deal away from being the new Jewish Backstreet Boys! They even have choreographic dance moves….awesome!

(please excuse the shaking and moving around of the camera. I was in the back holding up my camera, trying to film blindly)

 

Mediterranean Monday: Ulpan

 

My Ulpan Book

You might have heard me mention going to Ulpan in other segments, so today I am going to explain what it is.  Ulpan is the educational center where you go to learn Hebrew.  Just like in regular schools, there are levels in which you learn. Since I was a total beginner, I started of in kita aleph (like a Kindergarten class).  I didn’t know how to read, write, speak, or even recognize the letters so we started off at the very beginning.  My class is Monday-Wednesdays, 8:am-1:pm…5 hours of intensity and brain drainage.

Ulpans are pretty unique to Israel in that they are the only institutions that offer Hebrew lessons.  It is the hub of foreigners, especially new immigrants just making citizenship.  The government actually pays for new immigrants to take Ulpan classes, in promoting the Hebrew language. In my class alone we are represented by many different countries: Russia, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Japan, Italy, France, The US, Brazil, and I’m sure I’m missing a couple (but you get the point.)

One things I’ve loved about learning at Ulpan, along with the actual Hebrew language, has been the cultural aspects.  My teacher is so awesome in making sure we learn about every Jewish holiday that comes along, and Jewish traditions as well. She incorporates the history of the Jewish people (from the Torah) to the history of Israel.  We learn about different places within Israel and where to go and what to see.  We have learned songs that Jewish children learn growing up, and even had computer lessons to learn the keyboard. Overall, its been such a great tool for me.

I say this because this week is my last week of Ulpan!  I debated on whether to go on to the next level or not, but in the end I realized that I have all the tools I need….I just have to go out and start using them (aka: speaking in Hebrew)  I will miss going to Ulpan and especially my teacher (the best Ulpan teacher in the world!!!).  I have met some great people in my class and it will be weird not seeing them every week.  I owe a lot to my experience at Ulpan, and now I can officially say that I can read, write, and speak in Hebrew….and it can only get better!

Mediterranean Monday: Purim

It is holiday time here in Israel: Purim.  Purim is the holiday that celebrates the saving of the Jewish people (once again) from the Persian Empire, according to the book of Esther.  It is celebrated from the 13-15th during the month of Adar (the Jewish calendar), which is today, tomorrow and Wednesday.  If you are not familiar with the story, then you can find it in the Bible or Tenach.  (Don’t worry, its a short book.)

There are 4 things a Jewish person MUST do during Purim:

1. Listen to the story of Esther, either in the bet-knesset or at home.  Usually the first night is reserved for the telling of the story by parents to the family.

2. Send a gift of food to at least one friend.  

3. Give charity to the poor.

4. Eating the Purim meal, and drinking alcohol.  

Even the Orthodox Jews drink alcohol during Purim.  It is one of the only times that they are ‘allowed’ to do so, and drink they do!  They are told to drink until they cannot distinguish between the evil of Haman and the good of Mordachai.  

Modern day Purim has also been influenced by the Western Civilization’s adaptation of Carnival.  Over time it has become a blend of the two, since they seem to overlap on the calendar.  Now, not only do people observe the 4 laws during Purim, but it has also become a costume/party fest.  Each night everyone dresses up in costumes and parties. Yesterday, while I was at the hospital visiting the Shevet kids, a group of teenage girls came in dressed in various costumes, giving out Hamantashen (a Purim pastry) to all the kids in the hospital.  It was part of their giving to those in need, while at the same time enjoying the fact that they can get dressed up. 

(There is also a pretty good movie adaption of the story of Esther called One Night With the King, FYI)

Mediterranean Monday: Praying toward Jerusalem

There is one thing that all Orthodox Jews have in common, no matter where they live in the word…..they pray facing Jerusalem. It doesn’t matter if its east from the US or south from Russia, it is always facing toward Jerusalem.  

I remember my first encounter with this was in the airport on my way to Israel, the first time.  The flight was soon after the 3rd prayer call (yes, there are 3 times a day for prayer), and all the Orthodox men were in one area, reading from their prayer books and facing……yep, EAST!  At the time I had no idea what that was about, but now I do.  

Even though there is currently no temple in Jerusalem (it was destroyed the 2nd time by the Roman Empire), a prayer for the construction of the 3rd temple is part of the daily prayers.  The temple acts as a figurative dwelling of God’s presence in the physical world, and since there is no physical temple, they pray toward the direction it was/will be. Those already in Jerusalem pray facing the Temple Mount.

What is also interesting is that all Bet Knesset’s (synagogues) also face toward Jerusalem.  The bet knesset is a type of substitute temple, which reminds the Jewish people of the incompleteness resulting in the destruction of The Temple. In each Bet Knesset there is an ark, with the Torah inside.  Even the ark must be situated in the direction of Jerusalem.

I could go on with more detailed information, but I think you got the jist of it.  One thing is for sure….the Orthodox better be good with directions!

Mediterranean Monday: גשם Geshem (Rain)

Rain!  

It’s what we have had for the past 4 days here in Tel Aviv, and needed desperately. When I first moved to Israel, all I heard was, “Ohhhhh, how we need rain!”  I wasn’t too fond of the idea, being an anti-rain person.  All I thought of were all the inconveniences it would cause me…getting wet while walking, having to lug an umbrella with me everywhere I go, the cold and the wind that accompanies it, etc. Needless to say, I wasn’t on-board with all the constant rain talk.

So, why does everyone want all this rain so bad??? (you might ask yourself)  Well, Israel is mainly a desert country…about 60%.  That’s a lot of dryness!  There is not much water flowing around here, to say the least.  This means that when summer comes along, and its super hot all the time, water is extremely scarce.  If we don’t store up water in the winter, then we are in trouble during summer.  This winter there has hardly been any rain, hence the many prayers for rain.

Last week when the forecast was showing rain all weekend people were getting excited, and I even found myself saying to someone, “We really need the rain!” After I said it I couldn’t believe the words had come out of my mouth!  I was actually part of the Israeli crowd of wanting rain!  (Even though I complained about having to walk in it all weekend)  I guess if it means I can have water for showers in the summer, I’ll take the rain in the winter!  I’m learning to compromise

Mediterranean Monday: Mezuzah

Outside my front door

The mezuzah (doorpost in Hebrew) is a small case with Hebrew writing on it that you will find on every door post, hallway, or even in closets in Israel (on the upper right hand side).  The cases are inscribed with Hebrew verses from the Torah, which state the Jewish prayer, Shema Yisrael.  It begins with the phrase, ‘Listen Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.’   Inside the mezuzah, if you open it up, is a tiny scroll which contains the verses.  

The custom is to touch the mezuzah then kiss the fingers that touched it when you enter or leave the room.  This is to be a reminder of love and respect for God.  

The other day I was in the apartment, and I heard a loud noise.  When I came out to see what it was, I noticed my bedroom mezuzah on the floor!  It had fallen and opened up…but what was more disturbing was the missing blessing scroll on the inside!  Someone before me had obviously taken it out, probably after it had fallen for them too.  Shame!  I want my blessing back!!!

Here is my (fallen) mezuzah:

Mediterranean Monday: Cyprus

Since I’m here in Cyprus until tomorrow, I thought I would write about it for my Med. Monday topic.  Technically, it is a Mediterranean Country, so it fits in nicely.  

From Tel Aviv to Larnaca, it is only a 50 minute flight.  Cyprus is a small island right off the coast of Israel, and it is a popular destination for Israeli’s to go on holiday. When my nephew found out I was going to Cyprus he asked me, “What will you do there for  5 days on an island?”  He’s been watching too much Survivor!

I few into Larnaca, on the south-east coast of the country, but actually stayed in Nicosia, which is the capitol.  Nicosia is located in the middle of the country, about a 30 minute drive from the airport.  

There are many differences from Tel Aviv, one being that pretty much everyone speaks English.  I didn’t have to worry about the language barrier at all.  In Tel Aviv people walk everywhere, compared to Nicosia where no one really walks.  Many times I was the only one walking, which I didn’t mind at all.  Cyprus uses the Euro, which makes everything so expensive (and I thought living in TA was expensive!) My daily trip to Starbucks (yes, I did find one there) cost me about 5 Euros for a grande, which is more than a grande in the states cost.  Sometimes its just worth it though!

One thing that is similar is the night life.  Cypriots are night owls, as are Israeli’s.  It must be a Mediterranean thing, cuz restaurants don’t even open till 8pm here.  

The interesting thing about Cyprus is that 30% is Turkey’s land and 70% is Greece’s.  It might not sound like a lot, but for a country of only about 700,000 it ends up being a large area.  The Turkish border runs right into Nicosia, so I got to go and check it out for myself.  Not going into a whole political speel, but its not exactly a wanted situation (on both sides)

Overall, it was a nice 5 days…short but sweet.  I got some rest, got to see some sights, and meet some new people. Thanks to my friend, Demus, I even stayed at his house for free!  What a blessing that is.  Next time I come to Cyprus though, I will go to Paphos and check out all the historical sites…but thats another visa trip!

P.S.  I heard today that ‘supposedly’ the ancient city of gold, Atlantis, is located under the island of Cyprus and scientists/archeologists are discovering parts of it as we speak……but thats just the word on the street here

Mediterranean Monday: The Holy Land by Lens

There is one thing that is NOT lacking in the Mediterranean, which is photographers.  I have honestly never seen or met as many professional photographers anywhere else in the world, and that is including Africa with all the National Geo guys. Everyone is a photographer here, so it seems. You cannot go anywhere without seeing cameras pointing at something or someone.

Its not an odd phenomonon, considering there are so many historical sites and events to cover here all the time.  I even find myself carrying my camera with me many times (just in case).  Its quite amazing to capture an image in a place you have grown up reading stories about…………

Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Beersheva, Jaffa etc.  

Yesterday I spent some time in Jaffa taking pictures of the old city with an amazing camera (which is not mine, unfortunately).  It was so much fun and I enjoyed it immensely.  Here I am in action….what do you think?  Should I take up a new hobby????

More pics to come……

Mediterranean Monday: Serving in the Army

With all thats being going on here with the war, I thought it would be appropriate to use it as a topic for Med Monday. We are all glad to know that the cease fire has taken place, and the Israeli army is beginning to pull out of Gaza.  I’m sure that Mothers and Fathers all across Israel are pleased to hear it too, because most of the soldiers in the Israeli army are their sons and daughters.

In Israel it is mandatory to enter the army for 2 years when your turn 18.  It’s not like The States, where you choose to or not…here the choice has been made for you. There are always exceptions of course, but they are few and far between (if you are Orthodox or have a severe medical condition for example).  And yes, even the girls must enter as well.

When I first moved here I had mixed feelings about the whole thing, but now that I’ve been here a while I’m starting to see the benefits.  I think at 18 and 19 years old, a bit of discipline and order is something MOST people need.  Not to mention the fact of learning what it is to honor and serve your country.  In the scheme of life, 2 years is not a long time, and most people tend to waste a couple of years around that age in other areas of their lives anyway.  

After they have served their 2 years, they can choose to stay or leave, go to college, or work; but it seems to me they are more prepared to take on adult-hood than the average kid out of high school.  Of course, there is always the downside as well.  In case of a war (like we had here) most of the soldiers are younger.  I’m sure anyone can make cases for either side, but the fact of the matter remains: in Israel, entering into the army is mandatory.  I often think of how different my life would have been if going into the army was mandatory in the States as well.  I don’t think I’d be as much as a wimp as I am today….who knows?!?

 

(Courtesy of the Jerusalem Post)