SO after work yesterday, Kajsa and I took the bus to Tel Aviv to eat some acai bowls and sit on the shore. If I squinted just a little and sort of held my breath and didn't listen to the incomprehensible conversations going on around me, I could pretend I was home in Laguna Hills chilling at Thousand Steps Beach! We'd only planned on staying a few hours, but time slipped away as we chatted and watched the sun set.
We had two interrupters.
First, some crazy dude literally slid on the sand in between me and Kajsa like this--
And Kajsa and I were like--
This random guy was trying to make weird conversation, so I kindly asked if he'd throw away my empty acai bowl for me. His attitude completely darkened, and he started cussing me and Kajsa out, calling us "douchebags" (what?) and telling us to shut up.
So of course I'd just say random words so he wouldn't think I was obeying his order. It was like fighting with a 2-year-old with an excessively colorful vocabulary.
But our next visitor was way more fun. Davit, the middle-aged Israeli man, basically loved me.
Real quotes from Davit:
"You have a lovely skin color. Very dark."
"You just have to make sure you smile when it's dark out, it could be hard to see you."
"Do you play volleyball? I can tell your hands handle balls well."
"Boys are stupid. You need to wait for the right boy. Not an Israeli boy."
"You have a lot of spice. Boys can't handle your spice."
And I was like:
To Kajsa:
"You are so white. How long have you been here?"
"You need to go to the doctor. Something is wrong with you."
"Start drinking some carrot juice. You need some veetameens."
"You can't leave her!! (Referring to me) She will go after stupid boys without your help!"
Kajsa response was:
So honestly, it was hysterical. I was about dying of laughter.
Today, I wanted to head into Tel Aviv to hang out with Kajsa and Kara for one of their last days here in Israel. But for some reason, the 347 bus (my usual) wasn't running today.
Why?
Oh, just because. Who knows? So I had to jump on the only bus going into Tel Aviv from Raanana, the 501. It was slow. And long. And loud. And ridiculous.
After twoooOOOOOO HOUUUUURSSSS ON THE BUS, I got to the destination... But not the one I wanted. I had no idea how to get to King George Street, where I was supposed to meet Kajsa and Kara, and since it was already 3 and the last buses would stop running around 5, I literally had to turn right back around and get on another bus to go home.
Me to public transportation:
I ended up getting off at an early stop to stroll to the beachside in Herzliya, near my house. I walked for about an hour through tall city buildings down a busy highway. There's nothing like the sudden tapering-off of buildings as you look to the west towards the waterfront. I love how you walk towards a beach, and you can tell you're getting close when the skyline empties. It's one of my favorite forms of anticipation.
The walk was a liiiittle longer than I thought (I was planning on a half hour, it took an hour), but stepping into the Mediterranean made the fiascos of the entire day worthwhile. Like I've stated--give me some sand, and some saltwater, and the crashing of some waves, and I am home.
I finished up my walk on the beach (such a cliche, by the way) and walked to the closest bus stop. But, I mean, it was already 5:30 PM on Shabbat, so I was positive no buses were running. I sat at the bench more to mourn my sore feet and ponder whether I should walk the 7 miles home or shell out the $25 for a taxi.
*thinking about spending money*
But then--on the horizon--could it be? A big shiny... BUS??!!
YES. IT WAS MY BUS. COMING TO RESCUE ME.
leaping up from the bench, hallelujah
The bus driver probs thought I was way too excited for a bus ride. But I finally finished the ride back and practically skipped home. I showered and dressed for a Shabbat dinner with some family friends down the street. It was a beautiful and delicious meal, and it was the first time in two weeks I'd had a meal that consisted of vegetables and not just carbs. I'm a terrible adult.
Thank God for the beach, and for friends, and for prepared food, and for life in general. I'm blessed!
Much love,
Aubs
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