Dateline Jerusalem — I awakened to birds chirping, not the usual mating chant of pigeons sitting on the air conditioner outside my bedroom window.
The sky was a cloudless, a glorious sea of blue peeking through the giant palm trees and shade trees towering above the park next to my apartment building. The most beautiful trees of all were those with leaves that look like delicate ferns, reminding me of the Fern Grotto on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. From my fourth floor window (actually fifth floor but in Israel the first floor is really the second floor in the States), I looked down at the curving red brick pathway leading from the street to the colorful playground area. What a view!
When I first moved to the California desert, it was a treat to see blue skies and stars at night, since I had lived most of my life in Los Angeles where nighttime skies usually were as hazy as their smog-filled days.
In Israel, every night has a star-studded sky, as deep black as it is deep blue during the day. The only difference is that the California desert is hot and dry while my town in Israel is hot and wet. People tell me I have a nice complexion. But that is because living in Israel's humidity means my skin glistens naturally, and I do not need a moisturizer. And of course, because I am overweight, the fat fills in the wrinkles.
Mosquitos, My Dear Friends
Today there is an unusual breeze so the giant Israeli flags hanging from my windows flutter while the palm trees sway ever so slightly. Because windows here have no screens, I hope the flies are not out and about. Whether my windows are open or closed, the mosquitoes have found their way into my apartment. Although I am not the sweet person I would like to be, mosquitoes would probably argue otherwise. I have become candy for them.
I was out early to run errands this morning. My first stop was the flower shop, to send plants to the homes of the people who have invited me for Shabbat dinner and lunch. I have discovered the most unusual plants and flowers here in Israel. Their shapes and colors are unique and beautiful. A little known fact: Israel supplies most of Europe with its flowers. I have always seemed to have a black thumb, but even I haven't killed off some of the plants I have bought here.
Next stop was the market.
I love the ability to shop and have everything delivered to my home. It is especially helpful because I do not own a car here. Also it is fun to shop, and depending on the amount of items I buy, I will be pleasantly surprised by the “gifts” I receive with my order.
Tasty Bonuses
Today I was given a choice of “danish” and burekas (cheese- or potato-filled flaky pastries). My order was not very big, yet the checker offered me three monthly payments to pay the bill and was surprised when I told her to deposit my check today.
In the past I have received wine, wine glasses, a case of soft drinks, all the fruit I could fit into a large shopping bag, clothes pins, an ice cream cake, a jar of pickles, and a gift basket filled with wine, cheese, crackers and candy. Also, the markets sell more than food. Today I bought pillows for my bed and last week at another market I bought a microwave. I have bought two TVs since I have been here, one at the supermarket and a large flat screen TV at the pharmacy, which was delivered by the pharmacist during his lunch hour!
When I have more time, I shop at the butcher shop, the fish market, the bakery, and the fruit and vegetable store. But when in a rush, I go to the supermarket. The local makolet (corner grocery) gets my business when I only have a few minutes. Also the shuk (open air bazaar) and canyon (mall) are my haunts.
Wishing everyone “Shabbat shalom” and a happy Fourth of July.
L'hitraot. Shachar
Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff who moved to Israel three years ago.