The fact that this entry is so long overdue could mean one of three things:
1. I am working so hard at my Hebrew, I have no spare time for the blog
2. I am working so hard at my social life, I have no spare time for the blog
3. I am hooked to the phenomenon that is facebook and have been using it as a means to talk to the world and hence have no spare time for the blog
Ashamedly, it’s been nearly a month since I last sat down and took the time to try and relay life as the newest kid on the Katamon block. But the plane journey I currently find myself on (one of four I am doing over the next 10 days) seems like an opportune moment to reflect on the last few weeks.
We are currently in the Hebrew month of Adar – and it is said that as we enter this month we should enjoy an abundance of happiness. Well I have been doing my part for the cause and have been partying hard…
February began with the Jerusalem Winter Ball – essentially an excuse for expats to get dressed up in their prom frocks and eat, drink and dance the night away for “charity”. In a country where there is no such concept as ‘black tie’, we all looked slightly ridiculous making our way the hotel on the other side of town. And the whole thing became even more farcical when we continued at the after-party party at a real Israeli club. The LK Bennet shoes and Harvey Nichols dress might have been some of the reason we were attracting attention, but Gila and I did ourselves proud by being the last on the dance flood at four a.m. (Photos on facebook, if you’d like to see for yourselves quite how overdressed we were by Israeli standards).
Then came Ulpan Etzion’s answer to the Rio Carnival. The Brazilian contingent, didn’t let the fact they were thousands of miles away from home stop them from celebrating the carnival weekend. So the bomb shelter on Rechov Gad (the default location for all ulpan parties) became a south American party zone for one night as we tried our best to dance Brazilian style. (Again see facebook for the proof).
Last Thursday it was Gila and my turn to host a soiree for the Jerusalem circle. Our joint ‘Welcome’ (me) and ‘Early Bon Voyage’ (Gila – she’s going back to Australia for 2 months on the 12th of the month), drew a modest crowd of 150, successfully proving the theory that there is always room for one more. (Again, photos available of the aforementioned facebook).
Other highlights of the last month include the end of my epic saga to purchase a television – a story which started six weeks ago, shortly after arriving to the country. After numerous visits to different electrical shops, phone calls to various males in my ‘chevera’ who I thought might be able to give me some advice (I was wrong) and a Chassidic man in Mea Shearim who supposedly could get me a ‘good price’, I ended up with a perfectly nice looking – that’s what matters, isn’t it? –, if not pretty ordinary by UK standards, television. The day after it arrived, I had some people for Friday night dinner and the scene was reminiscent of the sewing machine scene in Fiddler on the Roof: “Wow, have you seen the new arrival? Isn’t she beautiful? I’d be happy to look after it for you anytime….” The irony was, it was Shabbat, no one could even turn it on.
There is also an infected finger incident which I won’t bore you with – but needless to say that also involved a meshegas of its own. (Meshagas being the Yiddish term for ‘craziness’).
I am now on my way back to London for a brief stop before flying to France for a week of skiing. Although I am looking forward to seeing you all in London, I am slightly sad to be missing out on the festivities of Purim celebrated Israeli style. The festival which includes the commandment to get dressed up and drunk has meant that children (and some adults) have been wondering the streets of Jerusalem for the last fortnight in fancy dress and in a state of semi-inebriation.
In ulpan, which has essentially propelled a group of twenty and thirty-somethings back to our school days in every which way you can imagine, we have also been psyching ourselves up for Purim with songs, plays and edible treats. No doubt the playground will be quieter place after the celebrations of the weekend….
As I said Gila leaves for Oz on the day I get back, so there’s a spare room in the flat for the next two months if you fancy coming to see me. It would be my pleasure and I promise to try and keep the craziness to a minimum.
May the rest of the year be as much fun as Adar!
(I am actually posting this from Geneva airport where I am delayed on my return to London. Sigh.)
