Is This Really My Life?

Honestly, there are so many days I wake up, I live through, I savor, and I wonder... "Is this really my life? Could this be possible?"

For example, today. I woke up early to do sun salutations for yoga, which is about the most relaxing way to begin a day and such a loving treat for your body and soul.

I got dressed and stepped out into the 90-degree heat, welcoming the warmth on my skin. I made a promise to myself that after this atrocious winter (I'm still having flashbacks--I'll shiver and chatter my teeth when I think about the horrors of a New England February) that I would never--EVER--claim it was "too hot." Ever. So while everyone else is like--

I'm like--

But to me, the heat and humidity are quite heavenly. After an ordinary attempted kidnapping (two middle-aged men insisted I get in their car, even after I'd refused over ten times--normal), I hopped on the bus to get to work. 

At work, I accomplished my goal for the summer--I finished my paper!!! Well, the first draft at least.

210 footnotes. 10,500 words. 40 pages double-spaced. Over 75 sources. Blood, sweat,, and tears. It's done! At least until I turn it in proudly to my internship director, she glances at it, then goes--

Then, as I walk away dejectedly, I'll hear her mutter--

Classic. But actually, typing out the conclusion felt like such an achievement. I'm proud of myself!

A few hours after getting back home, Michal and I headed to Herzliya Beach to read and watch the sunset.

I mean... it's only my paradise.

Look at this view.

WOW.

We set up our chairs right on the shore where the waves broke. The water was the temperature of a jacuzzi, offsetting the slight chill of a breeze. Then--as if my life couldn't get more perfect--a tiny, few-months-old puppy frolicked past me.

OH

MY

LANTA.

Petting random animals is apparently kind of my thing...

After the puppy romped across the beach, I continued to read and the sun's orange bled into the water.

Heaven. Came back to the house for a lovely meal with the family--Akiva is back from camp!--and then into bed for some relaxation. 

Honestly, life is so good. I'm absolutely blessed. Fulfilling work, stunning beach views, an incredible family, adorable dogs. It's like I'm living in a dream. Is this really my life?

From the Hills to the Office

Just realized that my title is actually composed of the titles of two (amazing) shows--probably because I'm writing this as I watch The OC. Classic.

Saturday was my last day in Haifa and in the Carmel National Park... Hilarious and confoundingly frustrating. We woke up and took a taxi to the hiking trail. We asked the (non-English-speaking) taxi driver to take us to Beit Oren Junction, which is where our trail began. Kajsa and I showed him a map with "Beit Oren Junction" stamped in bold letters right in the center. He was unbelievably confused, until we conceded that he could just drive us to the University, which was probably a two and a half hour walk from Beit Oren Junction.

"University???" He inquired with confusion.

"University," we insisted.

Our driver:

Finally--after minutes of conversing--our driver exclaimed, "OHHHHH. University!!"

Us:

Yeah. Sure. Not like we just said that.

We got to the University and by chance happened to run into some of the park rangers. We told them we were trying to get to Beit Oren Junction. 

"Where???" the rangers inquired.

"Beit. Oren. Junction."

Rangers:

Nope. Doesn't exist.

IT. WAS ON. OUR MAP.

Finally--after minutes of trying to convince them it existed--the ranger had an epiphany. "OHHH. BEIT OREN JUNCTION."

AHHH.

He directed us on our 1-hour walk to Beit Oren Junction. 

Walk walk walk walk walk walk walk.

We came upon this crazy fortress in the middle of nowhere with tons of wire and scary looking towers. I read a posted sign, and found out it was a prison. Obv took out my phone to take a cool picture. As soon as I snapped my camera, a bolted door to the fortress swung open. Three men in Kevlar rushed out and commanded that I delete the picture immediately. I've never felt more like a stupid American tourist.

I apologized profusely, turned away completely humiliated, then twisted back around and asked, "by the way... Do you know where Beit Oren Junction is?"

Worth a shot.

It had been hours since we'd set off to start our hike, and we still hadn't found the trail. We ended up at the same horse stable we'd passed the day before and asked for directions to Beit Oren Junction. They told us we'd pass some cows up the road then find it.

You may have guessed it.

No cows. Turned back around.

#done

We finally gave up on finding the actual trail and just made our way to Ein Hod, an incredible artist colony carved into the hill.

Ein Hod Artist Colony

Looking at life through rose-colored glasses

Cafe Ein Hod, where we had lunch

A beautiful mural

We spent about two hours in the beautiful town then made our way back to Haifa. We celebrated our successful trip then all but skipped to the train station excited to get home.

Lol, yeah right.

No lights. Shuttered up. Completely empty. Sabbath.

I inquired of a bus driver passing by when the first train would arrive at Haifa Station.

"Eight. Six." He shrugged. "I don't really know."

So done with this.

Another random Israeli person came over to give us more information. "Six and half. Eight. Four. Don't know." It seemed like a lost cause until the guy found out we were American.

"AMERICA!!??" He exclaimed. "I love America!!"

He started to list his favorite American things.

"New York! Pennsylvania! Michigan! NBA!"

It was like a scene out of Anchorman.

He followed us as we wandered to a bus station attempting to locate running transportation.

"California! Canada!

(That last one wasn't American but we decided to let it go.)

He finally left us alone as we jumped on a tram.

But then Ahmoudi (another Israeli friend) latched on. "America!!!!? I love America!!!!"

Me and Kajsa:

Our lack of interest prompted Ahmoudi to ask if we were lesbian (no, we aren't) and if we had Facebook (ohhh no, so sorry).

As a tram official hopped on the train to make sure riders had paid, our delinquent friend Ahmoudi slipped off. Thank God. The official checked my card to make sure I had paid the $2 fare (which, duh, I had) when he looked at me with a suspicious glance. "You didn't pay."

I swear, I went ballistic.

"I PAID. THE MACHINE BEEPED. I PUT IN MY CARD. I PUT IN FIVE SHEKELS THEN TWO SHEKELS."

"You mean seven shekels," the official smirked.

"I GO TO HARVARD. I KNOW WHAT FIVE PLUS TWO IS."

(K didn't say that last part, but I was thinking it)

I literally had tears in my eyes. 

"I CAN SHOW YOU THE TEN CENTS TO SHOW YOU I PAID. I SWEAR TO GOD. THE MACHINE BEEPED."

I don't think the official was very familiar with hysterical teenage girls so he kind of just sidled away and left me and Kajsa alone with our frustration and exhaustion. 

From the tram, we got to a running bus, and I finally-FINALLY-got home!!! Thank you, Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After ten and a half hours of sleep, I woke up to get to work. It was productive, and I'm about three day away from finishing my entire paper (!!!) 

This is my last full week with the family (so sad), and I can't wait to enjoy it with them. I'm over halfway through my summer... Crazy!!!

With love,

Happy-to-be-Home Aubs

Haifa, Horses, and Hiking

One of my favorite and most fulfilling days in Israel so far. Kajsa and I started the morning off early(ish) and hopped on the bus to the Baha'i Shrine and gardens... Where we were promptly admonished for our "revealing" clothing and we had to ride back to our hostel and change into something that covered our legs and shoulders. We walked away like,

I mean, I totally understand the respect for the religion, I do. But ugh, the hostel was SOOOO FARRRRR. It ended up being worth it for these beautiful views...

 It honestly felt like being in front of a backdrop. The entire place was aesthetic and peaceful; it exuded the feeling of 'paradise.' So stunning.

We got to go inside the shrine behind me in the above picture; it's the second holiest site for the Baha'i faith, which is the youngest religion in the world.

Exquisite statuary dotted the English-style, orderly, and colorful gardens. So stunning.

From the gardens, we went to the Carmel National Park for our unbelievable, stunning, and VERY long hike.

These pictures were all taken along the red trail, in a little patch called Little Switzerland.

I've never been to Switzerland, but if it's anything like this, count me in!!!

Because I crave/require animal companionship, I spent some time with horses from a random stable we encountered.

Yes I'm allergic to horses, and yes I got hives, but #worthit.

We crossed from the red trail to the black trail, and came across a memorial for the Carmel Fire victims from 2010.

We continued our hike to an ancient Roman quarry--

And bought some unbelievably delicious cheese crepe concoctions from a random stand on the side of the trail.

We hiked to the "year-round spring," which looked like this in July...

Classic.

We ended up getting really lost on this trail--it was supposed to be a 4 hour hike and it'd been a little over 5 hours. So... We hitch hiked.

Hitch hiking is SUPER common and acceptable in Israel, so it wasn't a crazy thing for us to do. Plus, Kajsa and I TOTALLY could've taken the guy.

We were dropped off at a gas station to get some money for a bus ticket, but plot twist, the gas station had no ATM, and DOUBLE PLOT TWIST, ITS FRIDAY AND THERE ARE NO BUSES.

So we trudged about another hour along the street, poor children with no money and sore feet. I only complained a little.... Lol ya right. For a straight hour, I was like--

And Kajsa had to deal with me until we got a taxi.

I took a shower, which was heavenly, but discovered I had a backpack and shorts tan... Not so heavenly.

We got iced coffee and dinner and chatted for about 2 hours, just relaxing after the long day. Tomorrow... Another hike!!

Can't wait to explore this stunning place a little more. I didn't realize until leaving home how necessary nature is to me and my well-being. Living on the edge of a state-protected canyon with abundant wildlife apparently isn't normal... I love how travelling forces you to evaluate what you need in life. And now I know that I will uncompromisingly need a little wild in my life, or at least a car to drive me to a place where I can shed my responsibilities and stress to get in touch with the sun, the air, the world, and God.

Wooo nature!

Lovin life,
Explorer/Tree-Hugger Aubrey

Exploring Haifa

Today began my three-day journey in and around the third largest city in Israel--Haifa! Haifa sits on a Mediterranean bay in northern Israel, carved into the cliffs of the seaside mountains. Over the last 12 hours, it's become my favorite city in all of Israel.

Kajsa and I took the train from Herzliya (the city in which my internship is based) and hopped off at Haifa Port.

After a quick walk up the main street into the German Colony (random, right?), we found our pristine, very homey hostel, Al Yajhour Hostel. This hostel was actually founded by Palestinians, which makes this one of my first real experiences with Israeli Arabs as opposed to Israeli Jews. A little change of pace!

Kajsa and I got some food, then headed up the mountain to see the world-famous Baha'I Gardens and Shrine.

So stunning. Unfortunately, we arrived a little after visiting hours were over, so we will head back to see the entire grounds tomorrow before hiking!

But we still got a sneak peek (:

From the gardens, we went to my favorite place of all... THE ZOO. Yes, I found ANOTHER Israeli zoo to go to, and yes it had the most ridiculous lack of security I've ever seen. One guy was throwing pieces of food to a monkey in an enclosure to watch it catch the food. I was like,

But like, really.

I wanted to pet it, but I didn't. I promise. Seriously, the whole time I was thinkin, where is the

I found some beautiful animals, because duh--

Lions

Tigers

Bears

And one of my favorite Mediterranean views thus far--

Oh my!

A wave of homesickness swelled up in my heart. It was so remniscient of San Diego, or SoCal in general, that it just brought back my love for my state and home. I sure do love California, guys. But still, seeing this stunning green oasis with the sparkling water at the end of the valley filled me with comfort--maybe if I squinted and ignored all the Hebrew, I could pretend I was back in the Golden State. 

From the zoo, we found a nice view of the city--

Then grabbed some sushi for dinner--

 Found a nice, albeit idiot, cat to spend our meal with--

Then explored the city of Haifa, eventually coming to the shore right after sunset. We watched the lights twinkle across the bay and anchored boats settle in the waves, and we agreed this was the most beautiful city we'd come across thus far.

Upon arrival at our hostel, we found Arab music playing and delicious food being served. The gracious party host/hostel owner offered us all the food we wanted (for free), and I was like--

Into the bread and chicken. I may not have a ton of talents travelling, but I can find a pretty amazing hostel. Stunning rooftop views, free food... I def know how to pick em.

I'm getting to bed so I have energy for our 5 hour hike and hours of exploration tomorrow!

Much love,
Haifa-fanatic Aubs