I keep an ever shrinking list of musicians I’d like to see perform live at some point. Last month I was able to check an important one off: Shlomo Artzi. I’ve been wanting to see him in concert ever since the kibbutz days. Back then I would listen to Yareah over and over and over and over on my Sony Sports Walkman.
In any case… Barak, Amit, Leon, and I got tickets to see his concert at HaRatzif, an old train station just outside of the Old City of Jerusalem. The concert lasted about two and a half hours and there were zero t-shirts for sale. Zero! I don’t get it.
I have finally downloaded, cleaned up, and sorted over 400 photos from my recent trip to Israel. As you can imagine it was an absolute blast (the trip, not sorting the photos out). Keep on reading to see the album and for more…
Booyakasha! Marcos got unexpectedly upgraded to business class on his 11.5 hour long flight from Ben Gurion to JFK. Thank you Israir. Why? I don’t know, and I’m not complaining, but feel free to state your ideas in the comments.
I’m back in Austin now… went straight from the airport to work, then to a volleyball match with the legendary Masacotes de Tepezcueloyo (we lost). I still have plenty to do and sorting through 500+ photos is part of it. Too tired to deal with any of that now. Stay tuned.
This one’s bothered me for years and it came up again yesterday while chilling at the beach:
In Hebrew, turkey (the animal) is hodu/הודו. However, Hodu/הודו is also the name for India (the country), while in English Turkey refers to a different country known in Hebrew as Turkia/טורקיה. To make matters worse, the animal does not come from either country: it is native to North America (and was called huexolotl in nahuatl). It wasn’t even introduced in the area until the 16th century!
Went out to a big club in Tel Aviv on Monday. Absolutely packed, huge line, hard to go in. Everything else at the port was also full. On a Monday.
Got back to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem last night at 3 AM. Coffee shops and bars everywhere were open. People walking the streets. Stores open. On a Thursday morning, at 3 AM.
Walking around town today at about 4 PM. There’s people everywhere. Restaurants packed. People walking the street. Malls full.
Does anyone ever work in this city? Or are they just sitting around in coffee shops at all hours?
I’m in Jerusalem right now. The first part of my trip is almost over (the part with the group).
On Monday morning we are officially done after we drop everyone off at the airport. What I’ll be doing the next week is not yet totally decided but I have many ideas. I should have better access to the Internet then and I will try to upload some photos.
It’s now time to dust off my old yet considerable skills as a madrich as I’ll be leading a Birthright trip to Israel, organized by Israel Outdoors.
The trip is 10 days long and hits all major landmarks after which I’ll stay in order to visit friends and family. It will be the longest vacation I’ve taken since I started working, and it will be weird being away for so long.
If you are in Israel and want to meet up, do let me know. If you want me to eat a shawarma in your name, please deposit NIS 15 in my PayPal or bank account and I will gladly do so.
Just for kicks, here’s an old photo of Bielas, Nedvedovich and myself building a Mifkad Esh (fire sign) to celebrate a previous Yom Ha’atzmaut back in Monterrey. I’m the one with the pony tail.
On Purim’s eve (Thursday night) the Ugly Nun resurfaced at the big party down at the Hillel building thrown this year. The surprisingly excellent Israeli reggae band Hatikva 6 played live. A fun night. Chag sameach! (album)
Blue really brings out Moi’s eyes, and covers the rest of his face! Nice.
Shelly, Hatikva 6’s ultra-hot keyboard player.
Shelly: if you ever Google “Hatikva 6 Austin”, drop me a line!
.jpg.php "BEtmol (109)")
Sister Jared, an old friend from the convent.
