Tues, Sept 13, 2011

It has been a long while since I have written in this blog. Currently, I am nervously awaiting my return to California and to a new living situation. Although my experience here in Israel has been an incredible journey and recuperation, I am ready to return to a new life back in the Bay Area. I have seen many unique things here in the Middle East: ancient architecture, fresh, locally-made foods, and an international array of friends who share their culture with me. I already miss the fervor of Tel Aviv, it's youthful tempo and sophisticated diversity of music, dance and theater.

I have biked the city roads with loud, boisterous drivers. People have driven aggressively around me, have opened doors on me, honked and shouted at me. I, too, have shouted back at them when they so eagerly speed past me, while honking, only to wait at another red light. There is truly an absence of patience on the city streets of Tel Aviv.

I have also biked the large roads with my good friends Stephane and Eric. We went to Haifa on a Saturday morning, and we road through the Judean Mountain Range into the heart of the city. We also road to Be'er Sheva on another ride, where we met a lovely couple who gave us directions. Both rides included great food along the way and a pint of beer at the end. We took a bus home on both trips. Ewa, Stephane and I also enjoyed a nice ride to and from Latrun - an ancient Christian location. That was a fun ride.

The friends that I met since my arrival three years ago, have truly made my life here so enjoyable. We usually met at Hebrew School, or Ulpan Gordon, and from there we developed richer and deeper relationships. We may not have learned the local language, but we had no trouble staying together as friends. Here's to all of my friends whose time I enjoyed very much!

The painstaking ritual now is to continue looking for work in California. I also need a car and a place to live. My bills and accounts also need to be closed here, which is taking longer than expected. Soon, this apartment and most of my possessions will belong to someone else. I look forward to the day when everything is wrapped up and I can feel peace before I depart.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Today went by very quickly. As usual, it was difficult to roll out of bed this morning. Even after a pot of coffee, it is usually hard to raise my energy level. For breakfast, I ate some homemade cake that Ewa and Einat brought over last night. We had dinner with Stephane and ate sticky rice with onions and carrot. We also ate my homegrown basel and tomato in my mozzarella di buffalo salad. What a treat!

This afternoon, Stephane and I ran down the coast to Jaffo. We entered the old harbor which is now being remodeled. We found an old warehouse filled with modern-art paintings, which were not very interesting. An then we jogged back. The sun set, the wind was blowing and traffic kept it's steady fast pace as we reached the street near my apartment. The sky is magnificent just after the sun goes down.

Now, I will take an Epson salt bath now to relieve the pain in my sore muscles.

Hopefully tomorrow will be another great day.

Bike ride from Tel Aviv to Be'er Sheva

Hello to those who actually follow my blog.  I rode to Be'er Sheva a few weeks ago.  Though the terrain wan't as nice as the Judean Hills on the way to Haifa, the length was good.  We biked though Sderote, which was empty.  A lot of religious Jews live there and they were inside for Shabbat.  A day later, 3 rockets landed there.  This was before the war began with Gaza.  The sun was going down when we arrived.  We stopped by a little cafe to have a beer before we hopped on a bus and returned to Tel Aviv.  What a good time.  Since then, I have been on a bike ride east into the Judean Hills again with Stephane, my French friend from Ulpan Gordon.  It was a quick ride, only a few hours, but very nice to return to TA with a bike rather than bus.

Bike Ride from Tel Aviv to Haifa

I met up with Stephan and Eric at 9am at Arlozorov and Namir St. in Tel Aviv.  We then headed north on the main highway.  Since it was Shabbat, the traffic was sparse.  What an amazing day!!!!  The weather was nice and cool, following a week of rain and cooler temperatures.  A little bit after Ceacariya, we rode uphill into the Carmel Mountain Range which runs all the way into Haifa.  We had dips and climbs, and it was tough.  Along the way there were olive groves and the local Druze make oil, labaneh, hummous, etc...  We stopped to eat and it was fantastic.  Take a look at the photos and you'll see.  We ended up in Haifa later in the day and had dinner at Eric's family restaurant - Maxim.  Good food to end a wonderful day.  We rode 120 km in about 6 hours, (with time spent eating and checking out the views of course).

Before Israel

I stayed at Ricardo's house before I left with El Al at JFK airport.  Ricardo lives in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn, New York.  I met up with Ryan Kitson, Reem Al-Zahawi and Nura Qureshi.  Fortunately, I had Ricardo's bike to ride around town.  We went to eat and drink at many amazing restaurants and bars.  Reem, you are awesome for giving me the turquoise bracelet and necklace (which is hanging on my wall).  Thank you Nura for helping me with my bags, you rock.  The photo of Ricardo was taken right after he got off his motorcycle.  Thankfully he is still alive considering how dangerous NYC traffic is.  (Remember to always get the other person's info if you ever get into an accident).  New York was a blast and I had a great time, morning, afternoon and night.  Thanks to all who hosted me, especially Ric!  I love you guys.

The airplane ride was loud.  One family had two children that were running around and constantly yelling.  Always remember to bring earplugs when flying!!!  I watched a little bit of "The Bucket List" - a film with Jack Nicolson and Morgan Freeman.  It's about two older men who go through cancer treatment and develop an amazing relationship.  It helps put serious health issues into a new perspective. 

On the El Al flight, I was surrounded by many religious people which was a bit awkward.  Was I excited to move to Israel?- Yes, very much.  Not for religious reasons but for change.  For starting a movement and to continue the trend of volunteering for the public good.  To raise cancer awareness.  And for Tikkun Olam - to help make the world a better place to live in all ways and for all people.  I didn't sleep too long on the flight, yet I am ready to start a new day in a different place with a different language.  Mazel tov to Nefesh b'Nefesh, Adi Fargon (my Shaliach), my family and friends, to all who believed in me: Jody, Sue, Mom, Brian, Emily, Barbara, Dr. Recht and Lynn Adler.  All of you are great!

Corey's first blog

Hello everyone,  This is my first blog.  Photos will be uploaded shortly.  I still have much to figure out about how the blog system works.  Call me old fashioned, but I have never made one before.

Living in Tel Aviv is great!  I live in the center of town right next door to Dizengoff Mall.  I'm a few blocks from the Mediterranean and there are cafes, clothing stores and restaurants galore. The weather has been hot, but it is now cooling down.  This makes bicycling around the city a little less sweaty...

For Yom Kippur, I traveled to Kibbutz Dan, the most northern kibbutz in Israel.  I fasted in the beautiful region about the Kinneret lake.  My friend Shirley and I went walking around a bird swamp that houses some of the millions of birds that are currently migrating through Israel. There were also large rodents, that were brought in from Brazil, swimming around the canals.

They are not shy, so be careful if you ever go bush-whacking there.

A good Sukkot to all who celebrate it.  For the next week, school is out.

Good news: I went to see a neurologist yesterday and everything is great with my brain. 

Have a good day.