Israel: Week 3 - Farm 1

Sitting next to me are a couple from England, a girl from South Africa, 200 bunches of organic lettuce, and Anon & Lang (workers from Thailand). Slowly passing by us are pomegranate trees, pineapple plants, strawberries, limes, pimelos, and oranges. Its hard to believe that I'm sitting on the back of a tractor in Beit Yizhak, Israel being transported to a field where I'll spend 4 hours weeding in direct sunlight. When I was little I hated weeding, now it's exactly what I signed up for. What the hell has gotten into me? I am not sure how I got into this or even why it seemed like such a great idea 4 months ago. Kneeling, hunched over, carefully deciphering between garlic-look-alike-weeds and actual garlic in the blazing sun I begin to wish I was back in Sitka. I'd be comfortably sitting near a fire, clenching a hot mug of earl grey tea. But alas, I am in hot Israel, sweating and pulling weeds. I convince myself to feel the excitement with each weed gone. I let my mind wander and contemplate what it is exactly I want to gain from this experience. I am uncertain. I feel very uncertain about it all, everything, life. I miss everyone I left behind so ridiculously much. Perhaps by the time I've pulled my millionth weed I still won't have gained any more certainty just fresh perspective and more confidence. With each plant I touch, every person I listen to, each new place I see, every meal I eat, my perspectives will shift. That's what I signed up for. I want to constantly be growing, searching, learning, discovering. It's who I am and in order to get there weeds must be pulled.
Here are pictures of the garlic field I will be spending my weeks in. Also my cute apartment I'll be sharing with two other volunteers, Jenna & Adam.
























5am sunrise + lettuce picking

Israel: week 2.76

I went into the city again today, with the goal of spending the day on the beach. When I reached the city I realized I had forgotten a book, snacks and sunglasses. On the way I found a book store filled to the ceiling. After sidestepping my way through Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Dutch, and English books I made it to the philosophy section where I grabbed the first book that peaked my interest (something about Chinese spirituality). Book in hand I moved on to buy snacks: bananas, grapes, Israeli version of a mound bar, and fresh squeezed orange juice. Sunglasses were an easy and cheap find.
The beach erases the hustle of the city and I was able to relax while reading about Yin Yang. Wasn't completely a page turner, but still interesting. I do not remember the last time I was sunbathing on a beach. Bikinis and I seldom interact, perhaps because I live in Alaska or maybe because I inherited my mother's insecurity. Regardless, after two hours of laying in the sun I had two date requests and one marriage proposal. Actually in the spirit of Israeli men, they were not requests. They were commands. I need to work on my responses. Laughing and smiling does not do the trick. "Why you no like me? I good man. I marry you."

I finally landed a farm and begin on Sunday. Its near Natanya which is 30 minutes from Tel Aviv. It's a pretty big farm. I'll be working with 3-4 other volunteers, have my own room, even internet. The farm is a 30 minute bike ride from the beach, where I will most likely spend my evenings after working in the field all day. I'm so excited to start farming and feel productive again. I'll be there for 3 weeks or so, then venture up north.

Tomorrow I am in charge of the meals and am going to make Vietnamese Pho, my new favorite thing to cook.

Location:HaBanim,Kfar Malal,Israel

Birthday!

Tonight was Yael's 30th birthday celebration. Went to a restaurant where you order any kind of steak by the gram and they bring it to your table on a grill. So delicious. I'm pretty sure I haven't ever had steak that amazing. Even tried beef tonsils tonight. All you can eat steak, all you can drink wine...incredible. Tomorrow we enjoy a girls day at the beach and the
spa.

Location:Reut,Hod Hasharon,Israel

Talitha Kumi

I found this in New Jerusalem while out on the town w uncle Johnny. "Little girl, I tell you to get up." It has always been something I remind myself and I found it here. And funnily enough it's my blog name.

Location:Heler,Jerusalem,Israel

Israel: week 2

I began my week exploring Tel Aviv; shopping, journaling, writing letters, eating falafel. Its amazing how much shopping takes out of me after not really having shopped for clothes in a long time! It was exciting to see all the Israeli brands. I have never before had clothes thrown at me while in the dressing room. The next day I took it easy and decided to make headway on actually finding a farm. It's not as easy as I thought. After calling ten farms I found one that looked rather promising. It was the only farm that needed a volunteer starting next week.
I arranged a time to see the farm and decided to take Uncle Johnny with me. I met uncle Johnny in Jerusalem. We stayed mostly in the new city, ate breakfast overlooking the original Jerusalem wall and then began our drive to the farm. It was an interesting place, but did not exactly excite me. Back to ground zero, hoping I actually find a place that fits me. I don't like being in limbo. I want to know now, right this moment where the farm is, what it's going to look like, when I am going to be there. Maybe I'm too picky, but I want what I want.

Jerusalem is a beautiful city. We explored the old city today. So many shops. Winding passages led me through Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Armenian sections. In each shop a merchant tried to lure me by expressing his friendship with me. "You don't need pay to look. You my friend, come I help you." or "You have boyfriend? He want you to wear dis. Yah really beautiful on you. " my all time favorite one: "where you from? China?" The city reminded me a little of Fez, Morocco. I could spend a week there and not see everything. Extremely intricate.

We saw the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall. I was amazed at the architecture. The aesthetics alone are spiritually uplifting. I will need to spend much more time here. Tonight we are meeting up with Yael and Nadav to go to the Jerusalem Knights Festival. There will be dancing, music, dragons, jesters, magicians. Perfect start to the weekend.











(Was given a shawl bc I was not modest enough for the wailing wall.)

Location:Heler,Jerusalem,Israel

Israel: Week 1

The journey to Israel was very exhausting and long. I went from Columbus to Chicago to Washington DC to Vienna to Tel Aviv. I had several hour layovers in each place except Washington DC, where I had 20 minutes to catch my flight. On the flight to Vienna I sat next to a beautiful Bulgarian Horticulturist from San Francisco. She was fascinated by my stories of Sitka and wants to visit me there when I return. We talked most of the way, of plants, family, rain, traveling, love and the length of the flight.

Once in Tel Aviv I had no troubles finding Uncle Johnny. He had a sign with my name on it, but I recognized the Koterba in him immediately. His humor and witty jokes gave me a second wind and I quickly forgot the exhaustion I had been feeling. He brought me to Yael's where I met her husband Nadav and their little girl Lia. After a beautiful meal and a few glasses of wine I slept for 18 hours. Yael is as beautiful as I remember her being 12 years ago. They've been introducing me to the Tel Aviv life and it is so incredible. Much hotter than I am used to. I'm afraid what I packed is very Alaskan, so tomorrow I am going shopping in Tel Aviv to find summer dresses. Many summer dresses. 

The plans with my first farm seem to have fallen through so this week is dedicated to finding a Kibbutz. 

Today we went to the market for our evening barbeque on the rooftop. Tomorrow is Sunday and the beginning of their work week. Weekends are Friday and Saturday. I'm going with Nadav into the city where I'll explore and shop and wait until the work day is over. Not speaking Hebrew is somewhat intimidating but thankfully every person I have met speaks English very well. 

Yael and Nadav have been so kind and welcoming. They took me out to experience night life in Tel Aviv. The city truly never sleeps. Quite opposite from what I've been used to the past year in Sitka. It's a fun and welcome change. Next week I think we are going to Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. 

leaving soon

Leaving in the morning for Tel Aviv. This is where I'll post my stories, pictures, and musings.
I'm praying for safety and peace of mind. My head is spinning a little bit, my stomach queasy. I'll only be away from those I love for 4 months. Leaving is always hard for me. 

I'll be farming on organic farms throughout Israel during my time there. Herding goats, harvesting olives, planting vegetables, learning Hebrew. I can't quite imagine what to expect. My hearts open, mind willing to accept challenges. I'm looking forward to having time to find God again through solitude and the building of new relationships.

I'll post more once I'm there and actually experiencing it.