Drummers Beach

Tel-Aviv is made up of a stretch of a number of beaches along its coast. Each beach is unique in its own way. Some aimed for families and children others filled with beach bars and restaurants for the young and young at heart, even one designated for religious people (a beach that separates men and woman)! Today I got to enjoy Drummers Beach, probably the dirtiest of them all which obviously is still gorgeous because... well it is after all located on the Mediteranian. However, what it lacks in beauty it makes up for in character as well as breathtaking views of a Tel-Aviv. Think Venice Beach, (Los Angeles) combined with Ocean Beach (San Diego) throw in a bit more hippies, high on life and (ALOT MORE than life) individuals, artists, free spirits, hobos, drummers and the musically inclined and you will find yourself at Drummers Beach, Tel-Aviv. What a scene! Every Friday evening, right before sunset strangers and friends gather around with their favorite instrument in hand and put on quite a show. The drum circle is located above a bed of rocks and what looks like a never-ending ocean peak to the right of it. No matter who you are, everyone is welcomed to take part, whether with instrument by dancing, tanning, drinking or being one of the many spectators. My cousin Yisrael has been continuously trying to get me to go the drum circle and I finally joined him. Yisrael goes every single Friday, never misses it and plays the drums as well. He is quite talented, might I add. Something really special that added to my experience was that I was actually with my family in Modeen for the weekend (a very pretty city about 20 minutes from Tel-Aviv) spending Shavuot (yet another Jewish holiday). This side of my fam are quite religious... meaning no use of electricity.. and so forth. He pulled me away late afternoon (after a day and a half of holiday and Shabbat) and took me to the drum circle.

I felt like a tourist, when in actuality my flat was only blocks away. I spent a few hours enjoying the tunes, people watching (some pretty creepy individuals), avoiding a few crazies, and witnessed the beautiful sunset that came with it. I seriously felt as though I was on some sort of drug just being a spectator. At one point some sweet man with his young child, tapped my shoulder and said... "You're better off looking at that" (pointing to the sunset) than, well... whatever it is I was witnessing at that point.. (Not a drug deal?). Later Yisrael and I went back to my aunts and enjoyed a delicious Shabbat dinner with laughter, a loving family and... well, reality. I felt so thankful and blessed for my beautiful life!

I have the perfect video of the drummers in an insane beat to share!! buuut my computer is not letting me load it.. OHH yes, my computer crashed.. a viscous virus I'm guessing. So... POOOOF I've lost everything I've had so far on it, pictures, work, music.. many, many visual beautiful memories. KAPARA as Israelis would say, pretty much means.. "Sucks but what can you do" Upsetting, however a lesson learned.. Back up your computer before it disappears and save everything in your mind and heart.

A Leaf called Gat.. google it.

Tel-Aviv Sunset

Packed Day at the Beach Oral Fixation?

Last but not least my AMAZING gran and I

Hine Ani Bah! -(Here I Come!)

Ani Ohevet et Tel-Aviv! I Love Tel-Aviv!

Ima Hayafa Shely (My Beautiful Mother)

What a gorgeous day in Tel-Aviv. I woke up this morning to a phone call from my mother, “Want to meet me in Neve Tsedek for breakfast?”.. YES PLEASE! She’s here for 10 days, how exciting. After a lovely breakfast and a walk on the Tayalet I headed back home, beach side. As I walked barefoot in the beautiful water (I swear the water gets prettier everyday) I watched the surfers, beach goers and little kids playing, I just had to join... a quick change and I was floating in the water with the best of them. So beautiful!!

The past few days have been nothing short of one great experience after another. Sunday I was offered an oppertunity to photograph at Save a Child's Heart (music) benefit and of course gladly accepted! It was a blast. The Venue was at an Israeli version of Tower Records that once upstairs, turns into an arsty bar called “Ozen” (Translation: Ear). It was an intimate crowd with a special guest Idan Raichel (a famous, and talented Israeli musician) amongst a few other great performances. I got to sit front stage and snap away. It was a lovely benefit, a fun photography experience, combined with beautiful music.

Idan Raichel

Art work in "Ozen"

Duet: Liad Twena & Ofer Bithan

Mother and Daughter (A very touching speech)

Yesterday MASA (The organization that sponsors long term programs in Israel) celebrated an anniversary and invited all the Oranim participants/ After a long process of security we finally entered the auditorium. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and have been fighting a cold for the past few days so I almost bailed. I am so thrilled that I didn’t, it was fabulous! Bebe Netanyahu spoke (the Prime Minister of Israel) followed by one musical act after another. There were many great performances, including an insanely talented Acapallo group, and one from a famous Israeli musician: Moshe Ben Ari. The crowd went wild, many sang along and we... well, we danced of course.

Bebe Netanyahu

Moshe BenAriMy Phalooch Lindsay and I

The week is not quite over, tonight is Layla Halavan in Tel-Aviv (White Night in Tel-Aviv). Apparently the term Layla Lavan comes from students pulling all nighters in University.

The entire city of Tel-Aviv becomes alive and the streets will be lit up all night long. Throughout the city there will be live music, performances, bands, art galleries, night markets, parties on the beach, dancing and song festivals along the tayelet (boardwalk). The night will be filled with culture, art, music, and definitely nothing but excitement (especially if we're there joining in). All I really know is Lindsay, Erika and I are starting the evening at a photographer’s gallery of 'Israeli stairways' and from then on the night is ours to conquer. I’m sure it will be quite an experience.

I think this song seems quite fit to end with.

A link From Hadag Nachash “Hine ani Bah” Here I come! Warning It’s pretty ridiculous and tacky but Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kke3gP1Opi4&feature=related

Jerusalem "The City Of Gold"

Religious men dancing at the Kotel (Western Wall)

City of David

Ohhh life. Everyday I wake up I realize how lucky I am to be living my life. Among all the uncertainty that comes with it and the minor details that frustrate, I really value and appreciate every healthy breath I take in. I'm so happy living in my mini dream, I truly feel lucky. The past few days have been amazing. I’m beginning to get used to the week here. Its Friday, the weekend has officially begun and the streets are buzzing with people preparing for Shabbat. Friday for Israel is Thursday for the rest of the world, and Sunday is just another work day. I woke up this morning and after an intense and invigorating workout, I spent the next few hours pretending to be on vacation at one of the neighborhood (and uhh very nice) hotel pools. Another beautiful day of sunshine. Later I paid a quick visit to the Shook to fill up my fridge for the weekend. Fridays at the shook are insane. So many crowds, I’m getting really good at dodging, bumping and shoving like a true Israeli, through the beautiful mess.

Yesterday we had an amazing trip through Jerusalem, even with nursing a minor hangover (meeting time- 6:45am, bed time- 5am) It was Steve's last night on our program (a gem of a human being, who’s enthusiasm, and thirst for life brightens up any room). We had to send him off the right way; I think Hebrew karaoke, a lot of dancing and bar hopping were involved. We will all miss you STEEEEEEEEAVE.

Back to Jerusalem. We traveled the city of David, went on a 45 minute walk through caves that were about 2 feet in width and at points, half my body in height. (Not for the claustrophobic individual!) The narrow caves were pitch black and we were guided only by our touch, sound of the person in front of us and when direly needed, flashlight. Oh I can’t forget to mention that through its entirety we were walking in cold, fresh, streaming water that reached my hips at one point. Pretty incredible.

Walking through the city of Jerusalem is so special. Every time I am there I get an intense sense of spirituality. I can’t really explain the feeling but its something that is pure, peaceful and makes me understand the essence of Judaism. The city itself is like nothing else I’ve ever seen, it’s purely magical. Situated high in the Judean Hills, it provides a unique combination of ancient history, spirituality and colorful cultures. It is the capital of Israel and is sacred to the world’s three main religions. Jerusalem’s architecture makes me feel as though I am traveling back in time thousands of years. In the Jewish Quarter you'll find a colorful, loud and busy narrow market where you can purchase: spices, beads, home-made soaps, fresh bread, sweets, jewelry, nargilas .. and well pretty much anything you can imagine. Obviously it comes with the crazy swindlers and obnoxious vendors, but that only makes it that much more captivating.

Something really special is that the entire city of Jerusalem is built out of one rock- limestone, the smoothest rock that made me dodge slipping hundreds of times. We spotted a few neighborhood kids surfing down steep limestone hills on their recess trying to impress and boast on who looked the "coolest" going down. So cute!

Later we visited the Western Wall also known as the"Kotel" the holiest of all that is holy in Judaism. Being there makes me feel like I'm in a different world. It's a pretty unbelievable experience, and even though Ive visited the Kotel several times, I am still overcome by emotion and a surge of spirituality for a few incredible moments. People cry, pray, wail and write private messages, curl them up and stick them in the crevices of the wall. Truly riveting.

I left Jerusalem exhausted from the long day yet touched and inspired by its uniqueness and enlightment it drove into my heart.

Young girl praying at the Kotel

Once we arrived home past sunset, a few of us decided to spoil ourselves at a dinner in Yafo at a unique spot called“Itzik Hagadol” (30 minute walk from home). Once you take a seat and “open the table” it is immediately loaded with unlimited and DELICIOUS salad dishes, such as hummus, grilled peppers, beat root, spicy carrots, of course Israeli salad and many more. All served with large plates of warm flat bread. Later you order from a selection of kebabs to accompany the plethora of dishes. All in all a meal well deserved. I ended my day exhausted, smiling, full and so content.

Day by day my learning experiences are growing, and my mind only gets stronger. I look forward to what tomorrow has to offer and embrace every experience that fate and Israel wish to send my way.

Shabbat Shalom.