I don’t want to break my streak of writing daily, but there is little to report from this small corner of the world. I had planned on going to Elat today, a small (slightly touristy) beach town not too far from here. However, when morning rolled around I started to worry about buses and the temptations of spending too much money on things I don’t need, and decided to stay here. I think my transformation to a kibbutznik is almost complete; as it is, I don’t have any desire to leave, despite being in the middle of nowhere with no stores, restaurants or entertainment. I’m early to bed and early to rise, and when I encountered an entire bus load of American teenagers invading the pool this afternoon, I immediately viewed them as suspect interlopers.
Israel has such a strange culture. There are many thing about being here that remind me of laid back simple life in the Caribbean. There’s a very “no problem” attitude, where details are worked out later, no one worries about the little things and everything is exceedingly causal. Yet, somehow, at the same exact time, things can be very inflexible and intense. I was describing my surroundings in an email the other day while at the office and I wrote, “someone in the next office is yelling loudly in Hebrew. This is what Israel is too me– someone yelling, someone else’s phone ringing so often that their ring tone is stuck in my head, yet at the same time…. everything is so laid back. How can a place be both so intense and relaxed? I think thats the real mystery of Israel- and perhaps the miracle of the Jewish people.” I think equally appropriate was the response I received, “hah! i remember all of the yelling. especially people yelling at each other for reasons that, in the states, we wouldn’t even mention. (shalavtah al-yad haOfanaim sheli!) but at the same time, people are always so lax about getting anywhere on time or keeping appointments. it always used to drive me nuts”.
But, as per usual, I’ve digressed. Back to the point– I didn’t leave the Kibbutz today. Instead, I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and headed back to the caravan for a nap. It was so hot today that the power went out (at least, thats one explanation I heard), so I woke up from my nap when I realized that there was no air conditioning. Not to be deterred, I grabbed my book and my ipod and headed to lunch, ready for the second half of the day. 45 minutes, one large salad and an ice cream later, I was settled in at the pool for the afternoon. Tonight was Shabbat services– I think the reflection I need to do on my own feelings during services might need to occur off-line before I make it public, but I do promise to share my spiritual journey as well, I just need to get a better handle on it first. Dinner was a lovely occasion in the dining hall. Annie and I were invited to eat with the families of two faculty members–Sharon and Tareq. Tareq is an Arab who permanently calls Ketura home, and he has three beautiful young daughters. I’m going to be working more closely with him in August on issues of renewable energy. Sharon, whose four boys balanced out the ratio at the table, is in charge of the alumni network for AEIS. The conversation with Sharon was a very unique glance into the life of an American who has been in Israel for about 20 years, and she shared a bit of how her views towards things like the Army service have grown and developed- particularly when imagining the future for her boys.
After dinner I stopped by briefly for dessert with a group of interns. However, those youngin’s stay up far past my bedtime, so I took my leave and am now headed to bed. Hopes that the high doses of Vitamin D in the sunlight here would cure all my woes have yet to come to fruition, but with everyone’s laid back attitude my lunch time & post work naps (and early bedtime) don’t seem too weird to anyone. Shabbat Shalom, friends and family! I miss you all!
