Israel is an interesting place with all of the various cultures that are around here. There are crazy smells and even cooler is the incredible range of sounds that you can hear around the city.
I wrote a blog post for TCJewfolk about it, and it went up today.
Check it out here, Sounds of Zion, and tell your friends.
Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
No Lines In Israel
I've said before, one of the interesting things about Israel is the lack of lines. At shops, kiosks and many similar places lines just do not exist. It's the person closest to the shop keeper that gets served first. One place I thought this would be different were stores that have clearly defined registers and lanes. Alas, this is not so.
I've heard it from other people, but I had never experienced the lack of a line in a grocery store. This morning while I was at Mister Zol (Mister Cheap), there were a lot of people shopping because there is another holiday tonight and I think stores are closed tomorrow. I fight my way through the store, gathering all of my groceries and then get towards the front of the store. Apparently leaving a cart in line marks your spot enough to go get more things and return to have moved up in line.
As I approached the line, the woman in the line next to me pointed out that the abandoned cart actually had an owner who would be returning. Since my "on the spot" vocabulary is not that great, I didn't know how to explain to this woman that I understood what she was saying and that the owner could have their spot if they returned before the belt was cleared so I could put my stuff down. I responded with, "okay." Apparently this is not the appropriate response and I got a great eye-roll and look from this woman.
When the "owner" returned to her place in line, I of course let her have her place in line. This was when she realized that she had forgotten something else and told me that I could move in front of her and she would return. I guess this was her saying that I needed to guard her place. I told her that I wasn't the last in line and that she would need to talk to the person after me (I was able to explain this in Hebrew on the spot).
My purchase was finished and I was putting my groceries in my bag when the woman returned. Surprising to her, the customer after me had started unloading her groceries and a man had moved in with his few items behind her. The first customer (the woman that let me go in front of her) was upset and had a brief, frustrated discussion with this man. In disgust she moved in behind him.
This is so strange to me and probably is to people back in the USA. Apparently the man's decision to move forward is a faux pas, even in a place with distinct lines. I'm getting better at this culture, but there are still some things that just don't make sense to me.
I've heard it from other people, but I had never experienced the lack of a line in a grocery store. This morning while I was at Mister Zol (Mister Cheap), there were a lot of people shopping because there is another holiday tonight and I think stores are closed tomorrow. I fight my way through the store, gathering all of my groceries and then get towards the front of the store. Apparently leaving a cart in line marks your spot enough to go get more things and return to have moved up in line.
As I approached the line, the woman in the line next to me pointed out that the abandoned cart actually had an owner who would be returning. Since my "on the spot" vocabulary is not that great, I didn't know how to explain to this woman that I understood what she was saying and that the owner could have their spot if they returned before the belt was cleared so I could put my stuff down. I responded with, "okay." Apparently this is not the appropriate response and I got a great eye-roll and look from this woman.
When the "owner" returned to her place in line, I of course let her have her place in line. This was when she realized that she had forgotten something else and told me that I could move in front of her and she would return. I guess this was her saying that I needed to guard her place. I told her that I wasn't the last in line and that she would need to talk to the person after me (I was able to explain this in Hebrew on the spot).
My purchase was finished and I was putting my groceries in my bag when the woman returned. Surprising to her, the customer after me had started unloading her groceries and a man had moved in with his few items behind her. The first customer (the woman that let me go in front of her) was upset and had a brief, frustrated discussion with this man. In disgust she moved in behind him.
This is so strange to me and probably is to people back in the USA. Apparently the man's decision to move forward is a faux pas, even in a place with distinct lines. I'm getting better at this culture, but there are still some things that just don't make sense to me.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Scooter Ride & Matkot - מטקות
Friday was a great day! I got up early in the morning to clean up a bit and get ready to head up to Tel Aviv. I was really excited to meet up with a friend that I had met while on Taglit that I hadn't seen since 2007. I caught a ride with some friends who were heading up to Tel Aviv to chill on the beach and spend some of their break from there.
The ride was great and on the way, I called my friend. Instead of heading to the beach we went to last time we were in Tel Aviv, she suggested one short distance away. We picked up a Sheirut that took us to a point a few blocks away from the beach.
After chilling for a while she arrived and it was great playing catch up for a "few" (read, "four-and-a-half") hours. Not only was it a lot of fun to catch up with her and meet her boyfriend, who was a lot of fun too, I finally got a chance to play that paddle game that Israelis seem to always be playing on the beach.
Matkot is a lot of fun. The ball doesn't react the way that you would think it does, which makes the game a little harder than you would expect. I loved playing this game. Here are the rules;
1) Stand a few feet away from each other.
2) Hit the ball.
3) Wait for your partner to hit the ball back.
4) Hit it back to your friend.
5) Try to keep a good rally going.
6) The winners are anyone playing!
I need to find a set of these Matkot and bring them home. It's really a great game and you can make it a lot harder if you want to add some finesse or stand further apart.
I was heading back to Jerusalem and she offered to give me a ride on her motorcycle to the Central Bus Station. Even though I had watched these things whip around the city, I graciously took her offer. Now I know why so many Israelis use these things.
Aside from the fact that they are a lot cheeper than a car, and use less gas. In Israel, the scooters don't really need to follow all of the traffic laws. For example, they can squeeze between two cars and make their way to the front of the stoplight. It was also pretty fun riding. Even though I was wearing a helmet, I could feel the wind rushing through my hair (all 20 of them). I'm not sure where I'm going to be going to school next year yet, but if I end up in Los Angeles I may need to pick one of these things up to get around out there. Tons of fun.
I can't wait to go back up there to meet up with them again. Apparently her boyfriend is a musician. I may need to go up to listen to him play some time.
We also talked a lot about Israel and about religion. Surprise, surprise. I'm still working out how I feel about it. But the more I come to understand how "Judaism" is implemented as a national religion, the more in understand why there are so many secular Israelis. I'm going to think on this more before I completely sort out my thoughts.
Taglit - Also known as Birthright. This is a 10 day trip that is completely subsidized for young Jews ages 18 - 26 to go to Israel and in a whirlwind tour see a lot of the country. This was my first experience in Israel and as you may come to find out, was a little influential on my life since then.
Sheirut Moniyot - They can also be called by their shorter name, sheirut, but don't pluralize them as Shirutiyym -that means bathroom. They're a combination between Taxis and busses. For a set price per person they will take you from one set location to another established location. It is possible to get off at stops on the way, but you need to tell your driver where you want to go. You can also call a sheirut and have them pick you up to take you to a place. They're great all purpose transportation options if you need to use them.
The ride was great and on the way, I called my friend. Instead of heading to the beach we went to last time we were in Tel Aviv, she suggested one short distance away. We picked up a Sheirut that took us to a point a few blocks away from the beach.
After chilling for a while she arrived and it was great playing catch up for a "few" (read, "four-and-a-half") hours. Not only was it a lot of fun to catch up with her and meet her boyfriend, who was a lot of fun too, I finally got a chance to play that paddle game that Israelis seem to always be playing on the beach.
Matkot is a lot of fun. The ball doesn't react the way that you would think it does, which makes the game a little harder than you would expect. I loved playing this game. Here are the rules;
1) Stand a few feet away from each other.
2) Hit the ball.
3) Wait for your partner to hit the ball back.
4) Hit it back to your friend.
5) Try to keep a good rally going.
6) The winners are anyone playing!
I need to find a set of these Matkot and bring them home. It's really a great game and you can make it a lot harder if you want to add some finesse or stand further apart.
I was heading back to Jerusalem and she offered to give me a ride on her motorcycle to the Central Bus Station. Even though I had watched these things whip around the city, I graciously took her offer. Now I know why so many Israelis use these things.
Aside from the fact that they are a lot cheeper than a car, and use less gas. In Israel, the scooters don't really need to follow all of the traffic laws. For example, they can squeeze between two cars and make their way to the front of the stoplight. It was also pretty fun riding. Even though I was wearing a helmet, I could feel the wind rushing through my hair (all 20 of them). I'm not sure where I'm going to be going to school next year yet, but if I end up in Los Angeles I may need to pick one of these things up to get around out there. Tons of fun.
I can't wait to go back up there to meet up with them again. Apparently her boyfriend is a musician. I may need to go up to listen to him play some time.
We also talked a lot about Israel and about religion. Surprise, surprise. I'm still working out how I feel about it. But the more I come to understand how "Judaism" is implemented as a national religion, the more in understand why there are so many secular Israelis. I'm going to think on this more before I completely sort out my thoughts.
Taglit - Also known as Birthright. This is a 10 day trip that is completely subsidized for young Jews ages 18 - 26 to go to Israel and in a whirlwind tour see a lot of the country. This was my first experience in Israel and as you may come to find out, was a little influential on my life since then.
Sheirut Moniyot - They can also be called by their shorter name, sheirut, but don't pluralize them as Shirutiyym -that means bathroom. They're a combination between Taxis and busses. For a set price per person they will take you from one set location to another established location. It is possible to get off at stops on the way, but you need to tell your driver where you want to go. You can also call a sheirut and have them pick you up to take you to a place. They're great all purpose transportation options if you need to use them.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Are You Ready for Some Football?!?
Tonight I decided to get back to my American roots and went to the Lion's Den Bar to watch some games. The time difference means that the afternoon games in the states start at 1900 here, perfect for some food and drinks.
The bar was a great spot for us to be. A bunch of TVs indoors and outdoors showing the four "big" games was a lot of fun. Lots of cheering, lots of shouting and they even had internet access so we could keep checking our fantasy teams. I'm currently winning this week, but a lot can change. Since nobody really wants to hear about my fantasy football team, I'll stop right here.
Something interesting that I noticed was how much everybody dislikes Brett Favre. So much booing and jeering when he made a mistake. And yep, the Vikings are sitting at the bottom of the NFC North. I was also watching with a bunch of Bears fans, I can't help it that I have friends from Chicago.
It felt really at home though sitting with a group of people that I don't know all sharing in the stereotypical American experience. It was a lot of fun and I'll probably be stopping into this place every once in a while to catch a game. This time difference is a pain though.
Lila Tov,
The bar was a great spot for us to be. A bunch of TVs indoors and outdoors showing the four "big" games was a lot of fun. Lots of cheering, lots of shouting and they even had internet access so we could keep checking our fantasy teams. I'm currently winning this week, but a lot can change. Since nobody really wants to hear about my fantasy football team, I'll stop right here.
Something interesting that I noticed was how much everybody dislikes Brett Favre. So much booing and jeering when he made a mistake. And yep, the Vikings are sitting at the bottom of the NFC North. I was also watching with a bunch of Bears fans, I can't help it that I have friends from Chicago.
It felt really at home though sitting with a group of people that I don't know all sharing in the stereotypical American experience. It was a lot of fun and I'll probably be stopping into this place every once in a while to catch a game. This time difference is a pain though.
Lila Tov,
Friday, September 17, 2010
We're Gonna Win Twins!
As I'm still trying to put something up every day, this is going to be my post for tomorrow, for during Yom Kippur, although it has nothing to do with the Holy Day.
Instead, it is more about my other fall ritual; September Baseball!
It is really difficult to follow the Twins Baseball Club from Israel. I have been listening to ESPN's Baseball Today, occasional podcasts from KFAN, and checking the Minnesota Twins website. But it's not the same as being home, I just miss the atmosphere of people caring about baseball.
It's also hard to track their magic number. Right now, it's sitting at 8. This means that any combination of 8 Twins wins and/or 8 White Sox losses and the Twins will have clinched winning the American League Central Division. They're chasing the Yankees and the Rays for the best record in the American League which would give them the Home Field Advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Don't get me wrong, Israel is great and I'm loving classes. I've got great friends here, but this is just a fall event that I really miss. Then, today I got an email from Kaitlin's mom with a bunch of pictures. Back in August, Kaitin, Judy and my mom all went to a ball game. It put a huge smile on my face to get this picture!
Mom and Kaitlin at Target Field - courtesy of Judy Saltzman
I miss you guys,
LET'S GO TWINS!
Instead, it is more about my other fall ritual; September Baseball!
It is really difficult to follow the Twins Baseball Club from Israel. I have been listening to ESPN's Baseball Today, occasional podcasts from KFAN, and checking the Minnesota Twins website. But it's not the same as being home, I just miss the atmosphere of people caring about baseball.
It's also hard to track their magic number. Right now, it's sitting at 8. This means that any combination of 8 Twins wins and/or 8 White Sox losses and the Twins will have clinched winning the American League Central Division. They're chasing the Yankees and the Rays for the best record in the American League which would give them the Home Field Advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Don't get me wrong, Israel is great and I'm loving classes. I've got great friends here, but this is just a fall event that I really miss. Then, today I got an email from Kaitlin's mom with a bunch of pictures. Back in August, Kaitin, Judy and my mom all went to a ball game. It put a huge smile on my face to get this picture!
Mom and Kaitlin at Target Field - courtesy of Judy Saltzman
I miss you guys,
LET'S GO TWINS!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Over Two Months
Today is Labor Day.
Back home this marks the end of the Minnesota State Fair.
Minnesota schools start tomorrow.
Summer starts to feel like it is over.
As usual the Twins are making a run at the playoffs.
The Vikings are overly optimistic.
The Gopher football team is almost eliminated from Big 10 Championship contention.
In Jerusalem, we are getting ready for the High Holy Days.
The school year is almost a week old.
And I've been here for about two months.
All I can say is that this year has already been amazing. Between the great friendships I've been making with colleagues, the meaningful conversations and the great experiences I've had so far. I still miss things about home. I don't want to wish this year away, and I'm doing all I can to enjoy every moment of this year. But what I wouldn't give for a Chipotle Burrito Bowl or a jog around Lake Calhoun.
Now, back to the books.
Back home this marks the end of the Minnesota State Fair.
Minnesota schools start tomorrow.
Summer starts to feel like it is over.
As usual the Twins are making a run at the playoffs.
The Vikings are overly optimistic.
The Gopher football team is almost eliminated from Big 10 Championship contention.
In Jerusalem, we are getting ready for the High Holy Days.
The school year is almost a week old.
And I've been here for about two months.
All I can say is that this year has already been amazing. Between the great friendships I've been making with colleagues, the meaningful conversations and the great experiences I've had so far. I still miss things about home. I don't want to wish this year away, and I'm doing all I can to enjoy every moment of this year. But what I wouldn't give for a Chipotle Burrito Bowl or a jog around Lake Calhoun.
Now, back to the books.
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