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.