Exploring Tel Aviv

After waking up to my first full day in Israel, I grabbed an avocado, an apple, and some Nutella for breakfast and brought my book outside to read in a quaint, pretty gazebo--

It's out of a fairy-tale!

Also known in Aubrey World as heaven. 

In the afternoon, Esther (my host mother), her daughter, Nava, and I went into the city of Tel Aviv for a cultural adventure. Also known in Aubrey World as a freaking dream come true. We had some delicious lunch, and I even learned my first Hebrew word--"toda" or "please." Esther assured me I pronounced it "beautifully," so basically, I speak Hebrew now.

Tried to figure out how to put an animated yamaka on her head, but I don't have nearly enough technological prowess.

My impressions of Tel Aviv: it definitely is a "city" by any standard, but it felt really small. Geographically, it spans a pretty sizeable area in Los Angeles fashion, and the buildings absolutely soar, but there just weren't that many people. I guess I'm kind of a traffic snob coming from the land of the 405, but it truly just felt like driving through a slightly crowded suburb. A lot of the buildings are painted concrete in colors of cream and light yellow, but a few glass skyscrapers are starting to sprout. Tel Aviv is this incredible juxtaposition of antiquated apartment complexes with fading, chipped facades and modern businesses and government buildings that span the geometrical gamut.

The view from lunch

We picked up Ariella and went to explore the cutest little neighborhood in Tel Aviv called Neve Tzedek. The Mediterranean influences were evident in the pastel colors and the chill, outdoorsy vibe of the streets and buildings. But you could definitely sense the Middle Eastern-ness in the style of the homes and the patches of rich, caramel-colored soil.

Welcoming store fronts

I love this picture--the clothes hanging out on the line and the vines snaking across the balcony

We went inside a few cute boutiques with jewelry and light, flowing, colorful clothing. Esther told me that there are absolutely no department stores in Israel. No Nordstrom's, no T.J. Maxx, not even a Target.

I know, Kristen Wiig, I know.

A lot of shopping is done at these small, non-chain businesses, which is actually kind of cool! The stores were out of my price range (I like to spend max ten bucks on any article of clothing), but the prices were nothing like what you would see in an independent store back home. All of the dresses and jewelry were very affordable and extremely chic. 

So many colors!!

Two-story boutique

Almost all of the doorways in Israel have little rectangular boxes on them, like this:

These boxes contain scrolls with Old Testament verses on them, and as a Jewish person enters a room or building, he or she is supposed to kiss his or her fingers and touch the scroll. This is actually given as a command in the Torah! It's so fascinating, because in America, we pride ourselves on the separation of church and state. We love that our own religion and the religion of our neighbors can be different, and we will (or at least, should) not experience any sort of difference or discomfort in daily public life. However, one of Israelis' favorite qualities about their nation is the intertwining of Judaism and the government. Even though 80% of residents are not religious, the Jewish faith pervades every storefront, every street, and every doorway.

My first day on the job is tomorrow--so exciting and nerve-wracking! Wish me luck

Signed,

(practically a) Tel-Aviv native Aubs 

I'M HERE!

I'm here! I'm here! I'm in ISRAEL! It's still a little surreal, but I think that's what back-to-back red eye flights and a time change of 10 hours does to one's head. This post will probably be more of an incoherent ramble than an eloquent depiction of my entry into the cradle of Christianity, but cut me some slack!

My flight was uneventful; I even had a window seat and peeked out over the ocean and Europe as the plane flew in. I spotted the stunning Israel through the clouds about 10 minutes out of the airport.

LOOK AT THAT! Wow! I'll be swimmin' around in the Mediterranean in the next few days. ALSO, turns out my internship location, IDC Herzliya (the university in that city) is right on the best beach in Israel. Looks like my lunch breaks will be taking place on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea . Watch out Sisi--I'm coming back tanner than you!

Getting through the passport checking part of the airport (customs? I think?) was very uneventful--but still so scary! It's like when a cop starts driving behind you and you know without a doubt that everything you're doing is legal, but your stomach still knots up. Like yeah, I'm from America and I'm working at the Institute of Counter-Terrorism BUT WHAT IF I ACCIDENTALLY SMUGGLED A BOMB IN. 

Customs Lady: What are you here for?

Me:

But I didn't. All is well.

I ended up taking a taxi with a random Israeli guy in his twenties that was headed in the same direction--and thank god I did. Taxi prices are apparently haggled over, and I am the worst negotiator in the world. You might at first think this is surprising if you know my mother well; she is one of the best hagglers I've ever seen. She basically has shopkeepers begging to pay her to take their stuff by the end. However, in the end, it makes a lot of sense that a daughter of my mother's would be terrible at haggling--can you imagine trying to negotiate with Sabrina?

Me: Hey Mom, can I stay out til midnight tonight?

Mom: Be back at 11. 

Me: 11:30?

Mom:

Me: You know what, Ima be back at 10.

Anyways, my Israeli bud haggled the price down to half of what I would have had to pay, which was great. My taxi driver drove me around the city a little so I could get a taste of where I'll be living for three and a half months.

Cute little peacock bush things

I arrived at the home of my host family around 11 AM and met the wife, husband, and their six children, three of whom are my age. They are the sweetest people ever, and the house is stunning. 

Awhh!!

Lunch was a delicious medley of pasta, vegetarian sushi, and other yummy things. I joined in their tradition of washing my hands with a cool cup thing then blessing the bread. Basically, I'm Jewish now. But seriously, I'm totally planning on immersing myself in the lifestyle; I won't be scared to try new things, whether that be food or tradition or language! I'm more than prepared to make a fool of myself and mess up few times to get the true experience!

So, the family I'm staying with is Orthodox, which means that on Saturdays, they do not use electricity, write things down, drive, etc. It was actually pretty cool--the entire family just hung out and talked, and neighbors stopped by periodically to chat. Such an open, chill, enjoyable atmosphere. I got to talk with them about Israel and about Harvard. It was really lovely.

After a nap that was much too long, I ate dinner and got froyo with Arielle, one of their amazing daughters. Now, I'm settling into bed to sleep for about 20 hours. 

I mean, I guess I can live here for a few months. (or forever)

I can't believe it. I'm in ISRAEL. I'm an hour away from Jerusalem. I'm an hour plane ride from Greece. I'm HERE. 

And So It Begins...

Two weeks. Fourteen days. Three hundred and thirty six hours. From the moment I hopped off the plane at LAX to join my family to the moment I waved goodbye with blurry, tear-filled eyes, I had almost exactly two weeks. My time back home in California was--as it always is--incredible. Seeing friends, family, the beach, and my dogs refreshed my exhausted mind and soul and replenished my eagerness to see more of the world.

I landed in Toronto, Canada, a few hours ago and began my 10.5 hour layover (!!!) and my wait for my second red-eye flight in just 24 hours.

Projected future for Aubrey at her internship in two days

I didn't want to just sit in an airport and twiddle my thumbs for half a day, so I decided to explore the city of Toronto. But even a layover in a country only a few hundred miles from the United States can teach a newbie world-traveler quite a few things.

I've already learned that there are certain moments in travelling in which you are struck by the depth of your own conceit. My own moment occurred as I pondered how bizarre it must be for Canadians to have American presidents on their dollars--until I realized with a sudden flash of dread that Canadian dollars were probably significantly different from American dollars. A rush to the nearest currency exchange stand confirmed my ignorance.

Isn't that strange, though? I had not even realized until I arrived that I'd always assumed American and Canadian dollars were the same exact thing. Basically, travelling makes you feel like an absolute fool 99% of the time until you can come back to your home state or country and act worldly, wise, and not at all an imbecile.

I've also accepted that I will have to ask (literally) hundreds of questions a day if I want to eat, move around, and survive abroad. I think that my father has had a profound impact on my willingness to ask and my appreciation for questions. He has a thirst for knowledge and tidbits that is unmatched. Whether he is asking to hear the Uber driver's life story or the origin of the grocery checker's accent, he is always hunting for new information. He embodies the "learn something new every day" mentality, and I plan to emulate him this summer.

I rode on a commuter train downtown and found that the outskirts of Toronto exude a natural beauty that I've never seen on the borders of American cities. the green foliage and winding rivers are offset by dingy concrete and brick office buildings. Excepting the occasional glimpse of untouched wild, the suburbs of Toronto are all but indistinguishable from those of New England.

I probably could not ask for a better place to layover. A different country that still feels close to home. It should give me some time to adjust to the different languages, the different expectations, and the reminder that I won't be stepping foot on American soil for another three and a half months.

I have about four hours left before I have to make my way back to the airport, so I'll probably grab some lunch and walk around the city. And MAYBE, if I muster up the courage, I'll even check out the 147-floor CN Tower...

WOAH.

Signed,
World Traveler Aubs