I heart TA

For some reason I have hit a wall in the past 6 weeks that has stopped me from writing. This wall coincided with my arrival in Israel. Perhaps it is because i have been so busy experiencing that for the first time in my life it seems to be so contrived to even attempt to reduce my experiences to writing.

I spent my first 2 weeks in Israel engaged in manual labour, hiking and cultivating friendships by having a series of insightful conversations with the most inspirational and inspired indivduals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I experienced community in the true sense of the word - building something with like minded people who accepted everyone for no other reason that we have an inherent shared history and a desire for tikkun olam.

The past month i have been engaged in hedonistic activities, mostly with my new friends and also the randoms here in tel aviv. For example, the afternoon i spent with a friend of a friend in Neveh Tzedek that had me out of it at 2pm, countless afternoons in the sun, mojitos on the balcony and dancing till all hours in bars, nightclubs, beaches and balconies.

Here in TA I have had the chance to breathe and to put things behind me. To have space, to meditate and consider the possibilities. Surprisingly i have come down to the conclusion that perhaps people are not as inherently crap as I had always suspected. My faith in the goodness of others has been restored and I feel ready to take on real life again.

So why do I love TA? The reasons are endless but the heart is this - Tel Aviv is a city that engages with its inhabitants. it is an interactive city - people talk to strangers on the street, people look directly at you and the anticipation of new relationships, and yes, even of sex (with other Jewish people!) is thick in the air. There is so much wrong with this country, with this city, but where else can i make friends with a person who i met in the queue to a nightclub? where else can i make friends with someone I met on the street when we asked eachother for directions at the same time? Where else will a complete stranger pour out his life story to me on the beach without holding back? For better or for worse, every one here is willing to give an opinion, to lend a hand and tell you their story. Jewish? Completely but that is what makes this place unlike any other in the world, for me anyway. And that is beautiful.

Soundtrack of the Day

Tamid Ahava - Ivri Lieder
New York Vs. Yecehzkel - Shlomi Shaban
Best for Last - Adele