1st day in Tel Aviv!

Tel Aviv, a perfect mix of modern with a dash of tradition. 

As remembrance day continued, I woke up and got all of my things together at the Hostel in Jerusalem. I stopped at the ATM and then got on the train, being able to navigate the city so well was very exciting. In the US when we have a special day it is usually celebrated from the morning to the evening on one day, but here is Israel the holiday goes from midday one day to midday the next day.

When I got to the central bus station I realized that my ease in navigation would quickly change because suddenly english was not on any of the signs. Luckily, a nice older man walked me towards the ticket counter and made sure that I got the ticket I needed, he also asked all of the men behind the ticket counter if they would like to marry a nice American girl like me. People here really crack me up.

I got on the bus and headed to Tel Aviv, once in Tel Aviv it took a bit to find my guide for the day but eventually Melanie and I were able to find each other. Right when she found he she said, "you know what is about to happen in 2 minutes right?" and I said yes, before I realized what she was talking about. As we walked out of the station and towards the taxis and other busses all tries to squeeze in and out of small terminal lanes, a Siren began to sound and everyone turned off their busses and cars got out and stood in remembrance of those who died in the Holocaust. Though not much was happening, everything stopped, and the fact that this was happening all over the country set into my mind. This was the most meaningful memorial I have ever seen or participated in.

(Left)Melaine and I at a Museum in Tev Aviv (Right) Yafo market 

I also realized through out the day, the places I was going were not very important, well they have importance, but what has really made this experience are the people I am with and their perspectives. Tzvi, the man from Israel Experts that put together my itinerary, thank you for giving me the experience of being with and learning from such diverse people. The first day I was with Rivi who is religious, she is from Canada, and showed me the beauty and history of the old city. Next I was with Einav who did not seem to be as religious, did her time in the Army here and showed me Yad Vashem, then I got to spend the day with Melanie who is from New York, went to Cornell, then came to Tel Aviv for her masters. All 4 of Melanie's grandparents survived the Holocaust, which is astonishing, and to ad upon that she is constantly beaming with passion to show how much she loves Israel, and how important this place is to her. Actually attached is a link to a blog she wrote in honor of the day of remembrance. She made Aliyah, after her time at a University in Tel Aviv, deciding to live here, and she works to provide people on their Birth Right or on other trips to Israel with an experience of the true Israel. 

Melanie's blog --> http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/bringing-my-grandparents-home-from-auschwitz-to-israel/

(Left) Melanie and I at a a pier in Yafo (right) an amazing view of the Tel Aviv skyline

This was a fun day for the both of us because, though we did have a museum or two to go to, she got to show me why she loves Tel Aviv, coming from the United States she was able to understand what would resonate with me. We went to her old campus to a museum there and then to a museum about Rabin, which is one of my new favorite historical figures. Then we got juice, which was amazing juice, the Juice in Tel Aviv from the stands that are on almost ever block might be the best Juice I have ever had. we then went to Yafo and had some lunch, by the end of the day it was as if we were just friends talking about life, and shopping and boys. I truly enjoyed getting to spend the day with her and I felt oddly at home in her presence, I hope she felt the same.

That night I got back to the Hostel in Tel Aviv with my bag which is way to big. I had my sweets from this awesome Arab bakery, I sat down at the bar in the hostel got a beer and shared my sweets with the bartender. It's Cinco De Mayo, which is absurdly stupid, they don't even celebrate this in Mexico, but any reason is a good reason to make tacos. So mostly the staff and a few others at the hostel and I took over the kitchen making tacos. It amazes me how easy it is to assimilate into another culture, and by the end of the day I had begun to fall in love with Tel Aviv too.