Shana Tova

Tel Aviv is a magnificent city. I arrived here yesterday night by means of kibbutzniks' car and two buses. There is no bus from Ein Hashofet itself so the easiest way to leave it, is to hitch hike. The closest little town with a bus stop is Yoknam and every second car on the road is passing through it. This time, however, I got a ride almost all the way to Tel Aviv. For the most part, the members of the kibbutz don't own cars. There are many automobiles that were purchased for common use. So if somebody wants to drive anywhere in Israel, they would reserve a car for that purpose. There is a list of who is going where and when and all I had to do was to ask if the couple that were going to Tel Aviv would let me ride with them. They had no problem with it and off I went. Although before that, there was a significant moment of me asking to get off work early in Hebrew which was exhilarating in itself. I also got to speak some more Hebrew with my carmates on the way.
I was dropped off near Netanya and took a bus to the Central bus station. (As an interesting sidenote, before any bus is allowed to enter the station, a company employee enters it to check for anything suspicious.) Then after a little misunderstanding at the information desk I finally figured out a way to get to my relatives'. Today I went to try and purchase a cellphone but failed miserably. I didn't know my bank account information and none of my efforts to find that out worked. I'm still without a cell phone. I did however take some pictures and you can take a look on my fotki site.
I don't know if this feeling will change in the future, but for right now, I seem to notice so much beauty around me... For example, on the way to Tel Aviv, my breath was taken away by the site of the sky. It was a time just before the sunset and there were some clouds. The effect created was spectacular. I don't think I have words to describe what I saw and I'm not good enough of photographer but let me just say that I've never seen the sky so close. With the rays of light struggling through the clouds and reaching for the fields below, it was as if I could easily touch the skies. I know, I know, I'm not the one to give an objective description of this country but I whole heartedly believe that there is no more beautiful land in this world. I am beginning to understand the word Aliyah. During the last ulpan class we learned that it means an ascent or rise. Therefore a new immigrant to Israel is rising. What's interesting is that only immigrating to Israel is ascending. Going to other countries is just that - immigration. And moving away from haAretz - this country - is to descent.
Life is becoming a little bit routine at this point. Work one day, studies another, food, sleep and homework. However, once in a while I get reminders that I'm in Israel. Eating breakfast and seeing soldiers ready to leave for the base or hearing holiday wishes and word "quiet" as the main hope say that there is constant danger from the neighbors. I understand that what I will write next will alarm some, but please don't overreact; geographically, I am closer to Jenin than to Haifa. The concept of distance here is also different. Yes, it's true that if one puts the coordinates to Ein Hashofet into Google Earth they will see that Lebanon is about 40kms away and the before mentioned Jenin is just 25. However, it's not the Chicago style distance. It truly feels like a different world from everything shown on TV. It's quiet, green and did I mention quiet? (Another side note; For the most part, the soldiers from the kibbutz are part of the elite forces. They all wear red boots and in the recent conflict almost everyone I work with were in Lebanon for some time.)
Getting back to reminders; there are positive as well. For example yesterday, the work was stopped in the middle of the day and the entire factory gathered together to wish each other a Happy New Year. There were songs, poems and even some live music. Everyone smiling and warm. Naturally, apples and honey and some other sweets. Afterwards, the day resumed as normal but I couldn't shake off that warmth. Not that I would have wanted to anyway. Overall, it seems like it's true that Israelis are a close knit family. At least on the kibbutz I've noticed that when there is a coffee break, people always sit together. In the break room, there are 5 tables but almost every time, they gather around just one. And they talk about politics, families, sports, work and so on.
Let me get back to Tel Aviv now. As I am sitting and looking out the window at the residential buildings and parks outside, I have to keep forcing myself to get back to this blog. The city is alive and I can feel it breathing. It's similar to New York in the way that it doesn't sleep and the way that people seem more sophisticated and cosmopolitan. Because it's new, the architecture is also modern and sometimes even futuristic. It's being built up as we speak and driving in from the North, it's visible in a huge number of brand new buildings. I've been reading about all the high rise and residential projects in the city and now I got to witness it in all the cranes and construction around town.

I decided that my readers need to start learning Hebrew with me. The first two words that I wanted to teach you are the ones that are absolutely necessary for a new immigrant to know. When you're trying to describe absolute chaos, confusion and frustration, it's called a "balagan". The way to deal with it is "savlanut" which means patience.
Finally, on this eve of a New Year, I wish you all happiness, health, wealth and peace. Less balagan and infinite savlanut. I love you all. Shana Tova.