Another crazy week has gone by so I thought I needed a second to look back and reflect. I knew from the outset that I needed to expect the unexpected. And that is exactly what has been happening.
My week was filled with hummus…basketball…and hummus.
The craziest part of the week was when I received a phone call from a basketball coach in the Arava(South desert region in Israel), that they were flying me out as they wanted to have a look at me, So before I knew it I was on a plane and headed for Eilat. I didn’t even know internal flights existed in Israel. It’s such a small country!! The flight took off and I only had time to listen to 3 songs before there was an announcement from the captain that we were making our descent. The basketball team ended up being based in Kibbutz Yotvata, which is where the majority of Israel’s dairy products are produced. It is also home of the famous ‘shoko-be-sakit’ (Chocolate milk in a bag). It also happened to be my birthday which was a very strange way to celebrate. I was with complete strangers, on an isolated kibbutz playing basketball. I definitely wont forget it, albeit not the greatest birthday of my life. I had a light training session with the team and afterwards i certainly felt what a kibbutz was like. Silence, serenity…and silence. Not much to do to say the least. The next day it was very much the same with the team playing a game in the evening, They happened to lose by 35 points and I was on a quick plane the very next day…back to Tel Aviv. Wow, the feeling of landing in this city was like I landed back at home. It shows how connected I feel to the city and how comfortable I feel here.
I got to my apartment, dumped my stuff and went straight to my new favourite hummus joint - Meshaweshe. Smooth, delicious and fulfilling. A dollop of techina and a boiled egg. The type of hummus they serve is famous in the North and every bowl of hummus is made on the spot which means they crush the chickpeas on order. It’s fresh and hits the spot. It is located on the corner of Bograshov and Pinskier. Give it a crack if you get the chance!!!
Speaking of hummus, I also made the trek to Ali Karavan, perhaps Tel Aviv’s most famous hummus. It is an experience. A beautiful one. It is a melting pot of cultures. It is run by arabs but shared by all. There is screaming and shouting and laughing. Everyone is having a good time and the customer service is non-existent. There are only two things on the menu and they assume you know what you want the second you sit down. They work in a way that once the fresh pit of hummus runs out, they close. As simple as that. It was amazing to be there and see the people passing through. The Israeli business men, young arabic boys, American tourists and so on. Everyone is treated the same. Again, it’s a beautiful place. A real gem. It’s on 1 Ha'Dolphin in Jaffa. The best!!!!!!!
Throughout the week I managed to fit in more basketball at Sportek, the best pick-up basketball going around. Met some interesting people and it just so happens to be a great place to make connections.
I also saw the movie prisoners last night which was something else!!! On another level. My heart is still racing. There are oscar nominations in there for sure. Hugh Jackman is harrowing and Jake Gylenhall is simply remarkable. The story is brilliant - I was on the edge of my seat for the duration of the film. Jumping at every turn and twist in the tale. Such a dark, eerie film. Honestly, one of the best…for what it is I guess. Wowza, wasn’t expecting such a ride.
I also bought two new ISraeli books my well-known Israeli authors to get a taste for Israeli literature. Started “A Pigeon and a Boy” by Meir Shalev. Got me from page one, I’m in! I read it with a coffee and a soda water at an Israeli cafe on the corner of Ben-Yehuda and Frishman. Again, with the city of Tel Aviv passing me by as the sun began to set. I felt at home. I felt settled, I felt like I was in the right place. FOr now at least.
And that’s all she wrote. For now. Until the next unexpected experience arises.
Shalom.