[img]96|left|Shachar||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem — Taking a circuitous route home from physical therapy, I am pleasantly reminded of the Caribbean, but Israeli-style.
A variety of palm tree species, ferns, colorful tropical flowers and plants grow abundantly in the gardens of homes and apartment buildings lining the shaded streets. Red tile roof buildings, some so old that that their paint and facades are peeling and their scarred wooden doors are eaten away by dry rot, can be seen amid tall, modern glass and stone or block apartment buildings. Old and new, side by side, a typical Israeli neighborhood emerges.
A particular house catches my attention. Set back from the street behind a wrought iron decorative, scrolled fence and gate, its garden as tropical as the others but with the added touch of cactus and stone pebbles, this house has a French architecture. Its wide porch with bright red painted wrought iron columns matched the sculptured red door.
The symmetrically placed windows were flanked by olive green louvered shutters. It reminded me of the home of a police officer I used to know on the French island of Martinique when I was a cop years ago. When I used to cruise to the Caribbean, I would go to the local police department on each island, “badge” them, and the next thing I knew I would have a private tour of their island. It was a great way to make friends and see the various island countries from the native, non-tourist point of view.
The Art of Design
As I continue to walk the side streets of my town, I notice that the sidewalks are unlike those in the U.S. Some are made of “fireplace” -style bricks while others are made of colorful large blocks of brick laid out in a geometric design. Others are cobblestones on the ground, and in front of one house in particular, the sidewalk was made of marble tiles to match its long driveway. What I do not observe anywhere is a plain concrete sidewalk.
The only concrete around is the blocks of concrete used to build apartments. Wood is scarce even though Israel is the only country in the world to have more trees now than at the turn of the century. Houses and apartments are built from huge concrete blocks. Rarely does one hear of a house fire in Israel.
However, most of these high-rise buildings sit on narrow concrete columns or pillars. Not exactly earthquake proof, and Israel is expecting the Big One, too. The frightening aspect of it all is that in an earthquake, concrete crumbles. G-d forbid.
As I walk by these homes and apartments in the early evening, the aromas permeating the neighborhood of Mediterranean spices and onions frying tantalize my senses. I used to enjoy eating my own cooking but it is now almost unappetizing compared to the taste treats of Israel.
Last week I went to a friend's home for Shabbat dinner, and the first course consisted of two different types of fish and 19 kinds of salads. I was so amazed at the number and assortment of salads that I felt compelled to count them.
By the time the main course arrived, and there were 3 of them, chicken, turkey, and beef dishes accompanied by rice, potatoes and vegetables, I was full.
Those of you who know my capacity for consuming food must be in shock. I am never full. But, I must admit, by the time the desserts came, I had just enough room left to taste these delicacies.
Because Israel is a country of many cultures, the food, the architecture, the clothing and the various customs all blend into a cohesive, yet unique, Israeli style of their own. I love living here!
L'hitraot. Shachar
Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff who moved to Israel almost three years ago.