This week I celerbated Arielle's 25th birthday. I went down to jerusalem after class and Arielle, Ethan, and I went out for dinner with Josh and Nani (Josh is a rabbinical student as well and Nani is his fiance). I gave Arielle a turkish tea set that i bought for her at the grand bazaar and then scampered back to tel aviv. amazing how quick and easy it is to go back and forth between our two homes.
On wednesday, Emma's friend Alex arrived from Paris to visit for the weekend. We decided sushi would be a fun dinner and we went to MOON! I must challah at Shir because once i decided to go abroad to tel aviv, Shir always told me i had to go for sushi at moon because it is AMAZING and she is soooo right. The food- fish and veggies- were soo fresh and the menu was so extensive. Alex is really fun and it was great getting to talk to someone about israel- i really found myself feeling like i had a place here and i had things to say about the arab-israeli conflict and the future of the country. i feel so genuinely attached and a part of the country.
friday i took the train up to haifa to stay with the mellers for shabbat. (when arielle did seeds of peace she got very close to this israeli Hilla and the mellers are Hilla's family). The train was less than 40 minutes and i got picked up at the train in Atlit, the town where they live outside haifa. When i arrived i was greeted with freshly made kooogel. then we a nap and then came down for shabbat dinner. when i came down, the table was covered with different israeli salads- fresh beets, avocados, three kinds of babaganoush- it was amazing! Anna (the mom) comes from a moroccan family and we had delicious moroccan fish with israeli couscous. Anna also had meatballs and rice and i was force fed that as well. AND for dessert we had homemade chocolate cake- amazing!
In the morning, Anna made eggs and toast- with HOMEMADE CREAM CHEESE WITH OLIVES AND HOMEMADE ORANGE MARMALADE- she is amazing! Then Anna and I went out to the Druze village up in the mountains of Haifa. we met up with a friend of Arielle and Hilla's from seeds named Raia. Raia took us through the village and to the Druze market. I didnt know much about the druze but it was really interesting talking to Raia and seeing the druze people in their traditional clothing.
after, Anna and I went for a walk on the beach (see bel0w) and then anna took me for "the best falafel in haifa" and let me know tell you, it might be the best falafel in israel. it was called falafel michel and it was deliciousssss. yumyumyum. then i took the sheirut back from haifa to tel aviv and took a shower and met up with the girls to go out.
so ya, as you see life has been pretty normal. today we went to the beach all day and just relaxed! this week- real life continues with classes and such. weather is supposed to get summerly hot so much of my week will be spent laying out at the pool (did i mention my gym has an outdoor pool with lounge chairs???). on wednesday, three boys from tufts who are abroad in florence are coming for the weekend so we will get to see them. and on thursday we (6 of us) head off to eilat for a weekend of sun and relaxation! and a daytrip to petra!
about to head out for more sushi at Moon!!! xoxoxoxo
hoorah! The Mellers make it to the blog! Glad you had a good time, we love you!
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