Perhaps calling this a flood is a bit of an exaggeration. However, it was very difficult to cross the streets in Florentin and stay dry during the rainstorms last week. This is the view from my apartment window! The great thing about the downpour was that it washed away all the dog crap. Yes, my neighborhood has many fantastic bars, cafés, and restaurants—and also a lot of people who do not pick-up after their pets!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
TEL AVIV Flood
Perhaps calling this a flood is a bit of an exaggeration. However, it was very difficult to cross the streets in Florentin and stay dry during the rainstorms last week. This is the view from my apartment window! The great thing about the downpour was that it washed away all the dog crap. Yes, my neighborhood has many fantastic bars, cafés, and restaurants—and also a lot of people who do not pick-up after their pets!
SDE BOKER: Arrival
Last weekend (March 2rd to the 4th), I took a bus to the south of Israel to see my friends Yaakov and Safa’a who now live in the small academic community of Sde Boker in the Negev. I interned with Yaakov two summers ago in Jerusalem and he is heavily involved in my current project, which evolved out of that earlier work.
After I arrived, Yaakov showed me this beautiful view of the desert from campus.
Yes, I'm sure every visitor has a picture just like this. That is indeed the moon.
Later, we sat down to the fantastic meal that Safa’a had prepared. Apparently, Yaakov told her that I love to eat. So, she made a number of dishes containing rich meats. Then, he informed her that I do not eat meat. So, she basically prepared two complete dinners. We were all very full in the end.
After I arrived, Yaakov showed me this beautiful view of the desert from campus.
Yes, I'm sure every visitor has a picture just like this. That is indeed the moon.
Later, we sat down to the fantastic meal that Safa’a had prepared. Apparently, Yaakov told her that I love to eat. So, she made a number of dishes containing rich meats. Then, he informed her that I do not eat meat. So, she basically prepared two complete dinners. We were all very full in the end.
SDE BOKER: Purim Parade
Last weekend was Purim. This online reference provides some background on the holiday. I will not embarrass myself by testing my own memory of Jewish Sunday school classes attended more than twenty years ago. The high school students on the campus put on an impressive parade. The themes seemed to be: (1) India (2) Pirates (3) the USSR and (4) Underwater stuff.
Many young Israelis go to India after finishing military service. Some go for only a month others for a year or more. From the stories I've heard, the visits often involves a lot of backpacking and sightseeing, spending as little money as possible, experimenting with various drugs, listening to techno/trance music, and perhaps volunteering in local organizations. You can see two DJs in this picture--and trust me--the music was good, loud, and hypnotic.
The highschoolers that created this parade have not performed their military service yet and probably have not gone to India at all or for an extended period of time. However, the campus has many international students from all over the world.
The images they created of India varied from good humored to a few that struck my perhaps overactive (and American) "PC" nerve, such as people begging for "rupees". I look forward to reading comments from my friends at UM, especially those familiar with Israel or India.
Two pirates conspiring on one of the floats. After two recent movies, the theme made perfect sense. I'm sure there is also something political lurking in there concerning terrorism, occupation, and natural resources. But, I'm not about to dig all that up on Purim.
There is a very large Russian population in Israel. That is the only reason I can think of to explain these floats, costumes, and songs.
No parade is complete without a bowling-pin shaped Lenin doll. Could someone please tell me the proper name of these traditional figures?
Ahh, the cold war. I seem to remember something about the Soviets sending a dog into space. Is that what is referenced here?
Two mermaids and a little girl in the Negev.
Can you guess the song blaring out of this yellow submarine?
Many young Israelis go to India after finishing military service. Some go for only a month others for a year or more. From the stories I've heard, the visits often involves a lot of backpacking and sightseeing, spending as little money as possible, experimenting with various drugs, listening to techno/trance music, and perhaps volunteering in local organizations. You can see two DJs in this picture--and trust me--the music was good, loud, and hypnotic.
The highschoolers that created this parade have not performed their military service yet and probably have not gone to India at all or for an extended period of time. However, the campus has many international students from all over the world. 
The images they created of India varied from good humored to a few that struck my perhaps overactive (and American) "PC" nerve, such as people begging for "rupees". I look forward to reading comments from my friends at UM, especially those familiar with Israel or India.
Two pirates conspiring on one of the floats. After two recent movies, the theme made perfect sense. I'm sure there is also something political lurking in there concerning terrorism, occupation, and natural resources. But, I'm not about to dig all that up on Purim.
There is a very large Russian population in Israel. That is the only reason I can think of to explain these floats, costumes, and songs. 
No parade is complete without a bowling-pin shaped Lenin doll. Could someone please tell me the proper name of these traditional figures?
Ahh, the cold war. I seem to remember something about the Soviets sending a dog into space. Is that what is referenced here?
Two mermaids and a little girl in the Negev. 
Can you guess the song blaring out of this yellow submarine?
SDE BOKER: Negev Walk
Several units of the Sde Boker campus of Ben Gurion University specialize in Desert Studies. Although I would like to eventually speak to experts in this discipline, I was excited just to go for a simple walk with friends in the Negev. Omar, a masters student, joined us for the afternoon.
From what I gather, in ancient days this part of the desert received more rain than now. These small stone damns trapped water for agriculture. You can see from the island of green grass that the system still works!
I expected a barren landscape and instead found this.
The good thing about being the man with the camera remote is that you know when to smile every time.
Amazing that so little water is necessary to make something so pretty.
Two rusted skeletal cars marked the beginning and end of our walk. You can see one of them in the far left of this photograph.
From what I gather, in ancient days this part of the desert received more rain than now. These small stone damns trapped water for agriculture. You can see from the island of green grass that the system still works!
I expected a barren landscape and instead found this.
The good thing about being the man with the camera remote is that you know when to smile every time.
Amazing that so little water is necessary to make something so pretty. 
Two rusted skeletal cars marked the beginning and end of our walk. You can see one of them in the far left of this photograph.
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