My dad visited Bar'am thursday, along with my 2 brothers aged 11 and 9. I showed them around some, then had to sleep since I was exhausted. At night, we all got to the member's club, and most of the girls commented on how cute they were. Windzer commented on how much I look like my dad. I THINK it was meant as a compliment. The day after, we're off towards Jerusalem as soon as I'm off work.
3 hours of driving was actually pretty nice - got to admire the view, and sleep when I didn't do that. And talk, of course. My dad's always so interested in anything I do. Soon enough, we got to Jerusalem, and it took quite a while to find a parking space. And the place we were sleeping at. But it was nice - a good room, with a view of the shuk, or market right outside. Anything even remotely connected to israeli food could be found there. The israeli pastries were awesome as usual. We just walked around there for a while, looking at things. Then we just kept going, down to the Old City.
Holy *********************** we got lucky.
We came on the last day of the Festival of Light, and apparently annual event that none of us knew about. Walking around there for the first time is an experience. When it's full of bright lights and people, even more so. We first stopped by David's Tower, where we didn't see much since it was closed, but then we were swarmed by 13 year olds. One asked where we were from, and when we said Sweden, they just went insane. Everyone wanted a picture with us, even though not all of them spoke good enough english and had someone else ask for them. One conversation my dad told me about later, was between two girls speaking in hebrew right beside me: "That guy is so hot..." "You can't say that! He's standing right there!" "No, it's fine, he doesn't speak hebrew.", and I got a lot of propositions that night, from both guys and girls... It was insane.
We just kept walking after that, and saw all the attractions. It was beautiful, and sadly all we had was dad's camera, so I have no pictures at the moment. Around 11, we'd made our way down to the Western Wall. All of us wrote a note and put it in one of the cracks. I know my wish hasn't come true since the world's still in one piece. Walking back, we got more beautiful views, but even though we could've walked and seen more, we were just so tired, and took the train back to the residence. Slept so well that night.
The day after, we stopped by some of the commotion just outside the Old City. They had a car show there - Formula One, Nascar, a few go-carts... For some reason they were there. One german guy was just insane. Pretty much parkouring on a motorcycle. One wheel was more than enough for him, and it looked awesome. Not quite what we came there for, but it was good nonetheless. After that, more walking around the old town, seeing all the sights in day light instead of the bright lights of yesterday. It was great. Towards the end, we were all tired, but that disappeared the moment I saw the Cardo. It was just stunning, walking along the actual road that people used thousands of years ago, really feeling like a part of the history there - a long market road, pillars on both sides, and I walked where thousands had gone before me.
Then we went back to our room and relaxed again. Went out, had dinner, which was a pain in the ass since it was Shabbath, and it felt like there were maybe a dozen places open within several kilometers. Still, we found an okay one, then went down to the old city again to see if there was anything going on. A mexican girl stopped us and asked if we knew anywhere she might be able to find food. We said sure, she could join us, though we were just looking for a place with coffee. It took a while, but we found a good yemenite place. She was really nice, apparently there for a conference, they'd gathered 150 jewish young people that did something important - political, environmental, etc., to exchange ideas. We had a good time, and now I have someone to show me around Mexico City if I ever visit. :D
The last day, we got up late, drove to Tel Aviv, and were at the beach for an hour or two. Then I tried to get a bus, which was apparently pretty much impossible until 9 in the evening, so dad drove me back to Bar'am. We said goodbye, and they went back south, towards Tel Aviv, and then the Dead Sea. Won't see them again until I'm back in Sweden. But my sister's coming to visit in a week, that'll be awesome. I think she'll fit right in.
Now, I have to sleep, though. Thanks for making your way through all these words! :D You're awesome.
måndag 17 juni 2013
söndag 16 juni 2013
Ridiculously busy part 2: Camp in Quiryat Shmona
Ori is our sort of boss at the orchards - not a decision maker like Daniel, but the one that pokes us with a stick and gets us to work. He told us he had a gig going down in Quiryat Shmona, and we were more than welcome to come if we wanted to. At 4, we had packed matresses and clothes for the morning after, and were off. The plan was to sleep there, and just go to work the day after, with 5 a minute drive instead of the usual 30.
We got there, Ori dropped us off since he had things to prepare, me, Windzer, Callin, Charlie and Marcella looked around a bit - got them all to test popcorn gum, weird but enjoyable. We headed to the park, relaxed, talked, laughed, an all around great time. Callin started commenting how nice my body was again - this time, my lips. I'll probably get used to it eventually, though. Anyway, around 7 we start making our way up to where the gig's at.
They set it all up, 2 different, simple drums, 2 guitars, one acoustic, one electric, and Ori singing and playing the harmonica on some songs. He was awesome. There were several different singers, the main one a guy with braids who could also play the guitar. Started out slow and smooth, we went to eat some in the van, from the food we'd brought, and all the other volunteers were asleep within minutes. I got back, and he'd really picked up the pace, the ~70 people that were there were dancing, singing along (hebrew, I just smiled and nodded), clapping, and I joined in the fun. For more than an hour, just dancing, enjoying it all, before Ori and I got back to the van, woke the others, we set off to camp with a view of the entire town. It was beautiful. 5 hours of sleep later, we had to get to work. Not a single mosquito bite despite sleeping without anything - no nets, no salves or anything. We had a pretty nice day with that as well. All tired, but it was definitely worth it. We'll be doing it again.
The last and final installment of the massive, wordy updates will come tomorrow - Bright in Yerushalaim!
We got there, Ori dropped us off since he had things to prepare, me, Windzer, Callin, Charlie and Marcella looked around a bit - got them all to test popcorn gum, weird but enjoyable. We headed to the park, relaxed, talked, laughed, an all around great time. Callin started commenting how nice my body was again - this time, my lips. I'll probably get used to it eventually, though. Anyway, around 7 we start making our way up to where the gig's at.
They set it all up, 2 different, simple drums, 2 guitars, one acoustic, one electric, and Ori singing and playing the harmonica on some songs. He was awesome. There were several different singers, the main one a guy with braids who could also play the guitar. Started out slow and smooth, we went to eat some in the van, from the food we'd brought, and all the other volunteers were asleep within minutes. I got back, and he'd really picked up the pace, the ~70 people that were there were dancing, singing along (hebrew, I just smiled and nodded), clapping, and I joined in the fun. For more than an hour, just dancing, enjoying it all, before Ori and I got back to the van, woke the others, we set off to camp with a view of the entire town. It was beautiful. 5 hours of sleep later, we had to get to work. Not a single mosquito bite despite sleeping without anything - no nets, no salves or anything. We had a pretty nice day with that as well. All tired, but it was definitely worth it. We'll be doing it again.
The last and final installment of the massive, wordy updates will come tomorrow - Bright in Yerushalaim!
lördag 15 juni 2013
Ridiculously busy part 1: Frenching Tel Aviv
Okay, over a week since last update, almost 2... A LOT has happened. But I realised I can't make it all justice with just one post - it would either be too brief, or it would make the Harry Potter books look like the instructions you toss aside when you buy a new mobile phone. So here's part one of the planned 3-part epic.
Camille is an excellent travelling companion. On thursday we set out from Bar'am to get to Tel Aviv. Hitchhiking took forever, but I learned the most useful phrase so far: "I don't speak Hebrew" in hebrew. We got to Nahariyya, where we just took the train to Tel Aviv directly. 2 hours of talking about anything with a person makes you really get to know people. I didn't know Camille that well before. Still don't, but so far, she's awesome. Anyway, once we landed in Tel Aviv, around 8 at night, we wandered around a bit until we found our way to our contact's apartment - Na'ama, the girlfriend of Martin, a great person, let us crash on her couch and any other soft, flat surface we could find. Tried calling her, didn't work, so we're outside her apartment with no way to get in or contact her. Two minutes later, she comes out the door. After greeting her and waving her off as she goes to work (bartender), we get in. We cook, watch a weird film about the end of the world, cults, and sexual experimentation. It's insane and good. Then, for the first time in AGES, I get enough sleep. Wake up around 9-10, see two bicycles in the living room, where I've been sleeping, and Camille informs me that they woke her up when they came in, turned the lights on, and brought the bikes in. I'm a heavy sleeper, worse than I thought, even.
After an acceptable breakfast, we make our way to the Gay Pride Parade by noon. It was fabulous. Walking down the street, tens of thousands of people there, of any and every sexuality imaginable (ASEXUALS PARTY HARDEST was the best sign I saw there), all having a great time, making their way towards the beach. There, in front of a huge stage, thousands of people just dancing, talking, partying. I think we danced for at least 3 hours. Then a few more volunteers gathered, so we were about a dozen that hit the town that night. Shpagay, the first gay club I visited, was way too crowded, and had too loud music where the only available seats were. So we soon moved to another, I forget its name. Just sitting, talking, drinking, having a blast. We all wander off to Comfort 13, an excellent dance club. Well worth the 60 shekel entrance fee. Just dancing and going insane until the wee hours of the morning. Vilde, the crazy norwegian girl, dared me to kiss a guy. All I can say is: Too much beard for my taste, sadly. Other than that, he was nice. Though he almost didn't believe me when I said I was sober. My group was the most insane one he'd seen, and I was the worst of them, apparently.
Stumbling apartmentwards from splitting up with the rest of the group, me and Camille took a Cherut (taxi-bus-thing), and fell down exhausted at about 8 in the morning. Tel Aviv sure knows how to party. It was one of the best nights so far. Taking the bus home on saturday (THEY HAD BUSSES GOING ON SHABBAT, HOW COOL IS THAT) was nice, dozing on and off, until we finally got back to Bar'am. Excellent trip, all in all.
Next part, likely coming tomorrow: Camp in Qiryat Shmona.
Camille is an excellent travelling companion. On thursday we set out from Bar'am to get to Tel Aviv. Hitchhiking took forever, but I learned the most useful phrase so far: "I don't speak Hebrew" in hebrew. We got to Nahariyya, where we just took the train to Tel Aviv directly. 2 hours of talking about anything with a person makes you really get to know people. I didn't know Camille that well before. Still don't, but so far, she's awesome. Anyway, once we landed in Tel Aviv, around 8 at night, we wandered around a bit until we found our way to our contact's apartment - Na'ama, the girlfriend of Martin, a great person, let us crash on her couch and any other soft, flat surface we could find. Tried calling her, didn't work, so we're outside her apartment with no way to get in or contact her. Two minutes later, she comes out the door. After greeting her and waving her off as she goes to work (bartender), we get in. We cook, watch a weird film about the end of the world, cults, and sexual experimentation. It's insane and good. Then, for the first time in AGES, I get enough sleep. Wake up around 9-10, see two bicycles in the living room, where I've been sleeping, and Camille informs me that they woke her up when they came in, turned the lights on, and brought the bikes in. I'm a heavy sleeper, worse than I thought, even.
After an acceptable breakfast, we make our way to the Gay Pride Parade by noon. It was fabulous. Walking down the street, tens of thousands of people there, of any and every sexuality imaginable (ASEXUALS PARTY HARDEST was the best sign I saw there), all having a great time, making their way towards the beach. There, in front of a huge stage, thousands of people just dancing, talking, partying. I think we danced for at least 3 hours. Then a few more volunteers gathered, so we were about a dozen that hit the town that night. Shpagay, the first gay club I visited, was way too crowded, and had too loud music where the only available seats were. So we soon moved to another, I forget its name. Just sitting, talking, drinking, having a blast. We all wander off to Comfort 13, an excellent dance club. Well worth the 60 shekel entrance fee. Just dancing and going insane until the wee hours of the morning. Vilde, the crazy norwegian girl, dared me to kiss a guy. All I can say is: Too much beard for my taste, sadly. Other than that, he was nice. Though he almost didn't believe me when I said I was sober. My group was the most insane one he'd seen, and I was the worst of them, apparently.
Stumbling apartmentwards from splitting up with the rest of the group, me and Camille took a Cherut (taxi-bus-thing), and fell down exhausted at about 8 in the morning. Tel Aviv sure knows how to party. It was one of the best nights so far. Taking the bus home on saturday (THEY HAD BUSSES GOING ON SHABBAT, HOW COOL IS THAT) was nice, dozing on and off, until we finally got back to Bar'am. Excellent trip, all in all.
Next part, likely coming tomorrow: Camp in Qiryat Shmona.
måndag 3 juni 2013
Take Tzefat!
A lot's happened in the last week. My camera's busted, so expect lower quality photos from now on, if any, sadly. People have disappeared - Tami, Daniel Colombia (the bastard still owes me money), Christina, Luck, Lasse and Helga, all great people that we miss. Just feels so weird when you're the veteran, and the people that were here when you got here start disappearing. We just have one new person - Matt from South Africa, seems like a nice guy. I'll enjoy getting to know him, of course. What else? We've been planting trees in the Orchards, they'll be there for 50 years, so it really feels like you're accomplishing something. Only drawback was waking up at 3.30... Anyway, time to talk about Tzefat!
Martin did it to me again, while I was going to go clean the bombshelter (it had been flooded...) he did like last time "Hey, want to go to Tzefat? We're leaving in 5 minutes!", and of course I accepted. Hitchhiked to Meron Junction with 2 people from the kibbutz, where we tried to get another ride, but ended up taking the bus since no one picked us up. We got there, had good falafel/shwarma, then Martin took me to an amazing bakery. Delicious pastries, eaten while talking and enjoying the views of the city. Then we had turkish coffee, which at that place turned out to be terrible. Then we went to see the fortress.
The monolith at the top of the fortress, and an israeli girl that didn't speak english by it.
Then we were heading back home, and Martin had warned me that getting a ride from Tzefat is a bitch. It took a while, but we got picked up, then dumped off twice before we encountered another kibbutz car. Talked to several nice people, including a soldier that didn't speak very good english, but he was nice anyway. We got back fairly late, after a really well spent day.
That's it. Not much else going on this week. See y'all later!
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