Final Thoughts

My trip has gone by so fast, I mean there were points where it seemed like it would never end but looking back, it flew. I have been so fortunate to have been able to not just plan and save for this trip for so long, but then to actually have been able to take it. Perhaps it was not what I had originally planned, 8 months in France, but that is okay. I loved my time in France and enjoyed seeing other cultures. My goal for now is to continue with learning French, I would like to become fluent in it. Then I would like to return (live would be great, but I am not sure I could be that far away from my family…). I know that I will return again, though I am not sure when or for how long. The people that I have met along the way have been wonderful and truly added something special to my experience.

I really hope that anyone who really is interested in traveling abroad, does what they have to make it happen. There are ways and things to do, you just have to do it. Also, remember my roommate Mary, 65 and retired the day of her birthday, sold her house and belongings and went to travel…it may not be easy or what others think is right, but you have to do what makes you happy for in the end, if you do not, you will be the only one who will be disappointed.

An American Thanksgiving in London

Grim Reaper tour was really good. It was hosted by the same guy who had done the free tour for me the day before, who I quite enjoyed. I thought it would be a bit more gruesome but that is okay. I actually know the name Jack the Ripper but had not known who he was. It was interesting to know that he killed three hookers and they never caught him. A bit weird but you know.

The next day I got up and checked out the British museum. It was nice, but there was so much stuff and I felt that it was just not all that interesting to me. I did like how they had an Egyptian area where you could see hieroglyphics, mummies (even of bulls, people who were mummified correctly and not correctly as well as statues.

The Greek room was okay, the only thing that I really liked that foot protection. I had never seen it before, but it was so cute, they showed the little toes!

The rest of the museum was just really big. I met up with my cousin later that day, with good instructions and hung out for a while. Then we Had some lunch that I brought and began cooking. We made green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and apple pie. At around 11 I headed back to my hostel.

The following day I woke up late and headed to the National Portrait Gallery. Not sure why, but I had major issues finding the place…I mean major. I got to the point where I was just going to head back to the hostel, it was a pain! I found it though and headed in. I was totally unamused by it. I should have known; I am not a fan of paintings, especially not portraits. I figured I would check it out though. Next time, I think I will check out the museum of science, which seemed kind of cool. Anyway, it was a nice way to relax before Thanksgiving and then I arrived at Jess’s around 12. We were surprised how there was not a lot to be done. We finished the green bean casserole (put the onions on top), made normal green beans for Jess to eat, experimented with a sweet potato and pineapple…we don’t know what and all we had left was stuffing and gravy to make. It was nice to just sit and talk.

The appetizers included, baked brie and cranberry, lox cream cheese and bagels (mini), mini chicken kiev, and mini cheese burgers. It was a great start. All of their friends brought wine, except Robert who brought champagne and raspberries. Mark (Jess’s boyfriend) was so cute making the cheese burgers, he was so excited about it! They were good…everything was good.

Honestly, the day of Thanksgiving went off without a hitch, not one problem. It was great and everyone loved the food (turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, green beans, sweet potatoes with marshmellows, the pineapple sweet potatoes, rolls, cranberry and apply sauce, I think that was it. It was great night and then I headed home.

They said that the cleanup was easy since it was just throwing everything out (plates and such not food) and that it was perfect. The amount of time and energy that went into it was crazy. Jess with her planning, organizing, food finding, Mark with his cleaning, driving, searching, and calming. It was a good machine.

Sorry this post is so vague it is two days later and I am tired. Yesterday I just hung out with Jess all day, who was very tired. The plumber came and then I left around 9. This morning I headed out late (oops, I got up at 10:09…) checked out and then grabbed a sandwich from Paul (ah French) and then headed to the Tube. The line was crazy long and the one that I was waiting in to get my ticket, CLOSED when three people were in front of me. I got my ticket though and headed out. I enjoyed my sandwich on the Tube and then got to the airport. No problems with waiting, bags, security, or anything, it was so great (especially since I was off of my game getting out of bed late.)

Travels in London

Okay, so maybe I am getting not as nice as I used to be with my old age, but I just feel, if I can be nice, why can’t you? I met the roommates from last night. The girl is French but seems to be all about “me.” She woke me up at 4am, accidentally, because she was holding on and touching my bed (enough to make the metal bed frame shake). She went by my head to plug in her phone, which is where the phone was plugged in earlier that day. Then she went by my feet and unplugged my computer, to plug in her phone there…using my converter. Just very, why would you do that? I woke up at 7 and was not as quiet as I usually try to be. Everyone stayed asleep, except for her, and I was okay with that, it was like payback, I just don’t get why you would unplug my computer when you were by outlets before…



Anyway, I woke up and had some breakfast. Bowl of mixed cereals and some toast with jam. Then I headed to the Tate Modern Museum. I got there before they were open, so Starbucks free internet it was. Then I went in and saw some cool things on the free floors. One of my favorites was a drawing that looks like the old style men with witty comments. This one said “Notice: I have changed my name to Mr. Titties. Thanks” So random. Anyway, it amused me for a bit and then I did quick research about my next stop.

I found out where the markets would be and then where I could go for lunch. I went to some of the markets, it was too cold for them to be outdoors. It is funny how they all look so cold, even the fruit! Then I headed to Brick Lane. Okay, I read it was closest to a tube stop so I went there, but that was in West London and Brick Lane is in East London. I found the restaurant that had been recommended for East London and enjoyed some vegetable korma and samosas, yum! Then I got dinner to go and headed back to the hostel to put it away.

I did stop at the London Bridge on my travels, I thought it was nothing too special, just a bridge.

People are saying how expensive London is, I don’t think it is horrible. The price of clothes (yes, I went shopping along my way back to the hostel) is totally affordable. Okay, I didn’t get anything but I could have gotten many things. I looked into boots but I could not bring myself to get the Ugg looking thing, even if they were only 5 pounds. I looked into a jacket too but I fear it will be too difficult to get it back home, lame, I know. I met another roommate, Vic, originally from Florida and now living and teaching in Cairo at an international school. It would be super cool to do that, but not sure if I could handle being placed anyway.

Okay I am going to relax for a bit and then the reaper tour is on! I think I will check out the London Tower while I am over there then head back. “Cheers”

Bed, Free Tour and Winter Wonderland

So I got in last night and all of my roommates were sleeping, well so it seemed. I found an untaken bed and got in for the night, happy that I had done such a good job packing in case this happened. I had everything in my bookbag, no need to even open my suitcase!

I had a rough night of sleep due to the fact that I tried to stay awake on both flights, but kept falling asleep on my second one. Oh, this reminds me…so my flight from Tel Aviv was at the airport but they took forever to let the new crew on. This was a 50 minute delay. Despite me having a 1.5 hour leeway between flights, and the captain saying we were only 15 minutes late, I got off, headed to my next flight (not exiting and having to reenter this time) and my flight was already loaded. We waited a long time after I got on the flight…I know why. The luggage, my luggage, needed to be transferred. I watched it get loaded on my plane and was happy when we then headed off.

I was awake for most of the night. The train is nearby and you can hear it go by, but it is not loud or horrible, it has a nice little jingle that I hum along to as it passes. Anyway, three roommates were sleeping, one entered a bit after me and one was an empty bed (yes, a 6 dorm room this time due to late booking). The three girls woke up early and headed out and then I got up and did the same. There was a lame breakfast, but I say lame and really mean a basic breakfast, it was all that I needed.



I headed to where my free tour should be and was 1.5 hours early so I walked around. I began to get way cold, so I grabbed a tea from Starbucks and enjoyed their free internet. Then the tour. It was a good tour, loved my guide. He was very interesting and did a great job showing us the sites and telling us things like “this is the smallest police station that ever was in Britain”



And someone broke into the palace in 1982 and set off all of the alarms and the guard thought it was a trip up and shut them off and the guy somehow managed to find the queens room out of the 700 available ones and he sat with her for 20 minutes talking then asked for a cigarette and she called for the guards. It took 30 minutes for the police to arrive and the guy got deported (was here illegally from Ireland) but no arrest was made as it was not illegal to break into the palace…imagine that.



I got some tips on when to check out Westminster Abby for free and took lots of pictures of the guards. Afterwards I went with the guide and part of the group for food. I got fish and chips with the smashed peas. The peas were minty and too watery to really eat but the fish was good as was the tarter sauce but I was no fan of the chips. No worries, I have plenty of time to fix that.



I headed to a hotspot and spoke to my sister and warmed up a bit. Then I walked to Picadilly Circus and then to Hyde Park, where the Winter Wonderland was going on. It was nice and I enjoyed a cup of special hot coco while I walked around. I found a super cute ring, but I think it was not worth the cost. I tried a roasted chestnut (better then the ones that I tried to make in college, but still not good). They guy was all “they are from Italy, so good” I was no fan though. I tried some Hungarian stew too, then threw out the rest of the mini sample, poo to you! I was going to walk back to the hostel since I was toasty with my new hat and gloves, but the map does not show my road (it is off of the map…) so I just rode the super crowded tube.


I tried a couple of times to get some shots of the tube but it was not good enough. I mean the people are all packed in. Okay, so maybe not like China where the workers push the people in and then slam the doors, but enough where it is a bit …strike the bit…clostraphobic-ish.

I got back early as I did not want to wait another hour at the Winter Wonderland for the circus show and met two of my roommates. By met, I mean one was on the phone and when she got off ignored me and the other walked in and then said nothing as his phone seemed more interesting to him. Oh well, two empty beds left, and one roommate I still have not met. Perhaps some conversations will come about.



Oh, I did meet some nice people on the tour but we did not stick together or find out any contact information to meet up later. I guess tomorrow is my Grim Reaper Tour. Let’s hope I meet some other people before then…

Israel's Airport

I got to the airport in wonderful time, 1:30! I found my way to check in and waited in line. The girl who asked me my questions was young and I am not sure why, but I was so scared. It is crazy, she was not even good at asking her questions. I guess I was nervous because I did not know if I should say I WWOOFed, was on a kibbutz, or visited a friend as I never got my volunteer visa...no worries though, I made it through the first check point.

I was directed to the ticket counter (yes, after the x-ray machine)and slowly put my suitcase on the scale. I even packed it in such a way this morning that if I had to loose some of the weight, it would be easy to take the top items out. Luckily, between throwing out my work clothes the suitcase was 19kg...1 kg to spare :) To top that, after I changed the location of my zippers (I feel it is safer when they are on the bottom of the bag) it dropped to 18.5. I was proud of myself!

I then had to go upstairs and go through security for me. As I headed towards the gate the guy said "from the United States," I was called out without a doubt. I asked if it was that obvious but I do not think he understood. He said NJ was a beautiful city and then I went onto the checkpoint. I did not think I looked that American... Anyway the checkpoint happened with no issues...I am not going to lie, it was a little weird how in France they wanted to check my cicada thing but in Israel they did not. I mean in France, they should know what the heck the thing is by looking through the machine! Anyway, I got in at 2:00. That was good timing, but it definitely seemed longer.

I headed to get my tax refund, of course they only had sheckle and dollar...not even euro! I took the dollars and headed to get food. I got a chicken sandwich and I have to say, it is so sad how you remember things to taste and be and then you have it after all the time and it is horrible. I am okay with continuing my vegetarian food if it means avoiding food like the chicken sandwich. It probably won't happen in London, but once I get to cook my own food again we shall see.

I then got a couple of things for the flight, couldn't find a sudoku to work on, and exchanged the rest of my euro and shekles. Finally I got to the gate and voila, that is where I am now. My plane was supposed to begin boarding 8 minutes ago, but there is still 30 minutes before we should be taking off, plus there are barely any passengers here. Here is to a quick, wonderful, yummy, good movied flight :)... and to getting around in London sans problemo.

Goodbyes

Saying goodbye is sometimes really easy. In the case of Jeremiah, it really could not have come at a better time, I was all about it. It was a goodbye and quick and that was it. I would have been fine with no goodbye, but perhaps that would have been rude.

Saying goodbye to Suzanna was very hard. I had just met her but I felt a strong connection to her. Perhaps it was that we had many things in common, but also her situation with staying in Israel and her struggles made the goodbye very difficult. It was a short goodbye as she could not handle much more then that.

I did make it to the Pecan Grove. Okay, so it was pitch black out, but the full moon lit it up beautifully. I can only imagine how beautiful it looked during the day; no wonder they have so many weddings there! Anyway, I hung out with Jonathan for a bit and then he drove me back to the farm. It was a quick goodbye, with him staying the driver's seat. He said that he would stop by before work tomorrow. That did not happen, I did not think it would. We have ways to stay in touch though.

Amir was kind enough and stuck to his word of driving me to the airport. This may not seem like a big deal, but every time I heard a car start up I ran outside to make sure he had not forgotten and was heading to work or something. My clothes from the day before, were still wet (I hung them out at noon!) I put them in the sun and almost all of them were dry, yay! I packed and of course worried about the weight of my suitcase...20kg, please be less then 20kg...

Amir and I had some good conversations driving to the airport and I wish him the best and most amazing amount of luck with the farm. He seems to have such passion for what he is doing and the farm looks amazing. I am sure with the right advertizing, he will be able to get more then he ever expecting back from the farm. He is a wonderful person and I hope to meet up with him again!

Throughout my trip I have have many a disappointments as far as meeting up with people and people breaking their word. It is a hard thing to be so close to some people and trust in their word and be disappointment. I feel it happened again and again and I mean, I am 25, I should know this would happen, especially with certain people. I guess even though I expected it on some level, I truly hoped that they would surprise me and things would have been different. It is one of those learning things, that I wish I did not have to learn.

On the flip-side, I met some wonderful people. The stories and part of their life that they shared with me have been great memories and wonderful additions to my trip. I truly am lucky to have been able to take this trip and to have met those that I did and to have been able to spend some of the time with Justin!

Shabbat in Rishpon and Thoughts on Travel

So when I got back to the farm, I thought Jeremiah would be gone. I kind of was hoping he would be so I would not have to deal with him. Just my luck, he was still here. I uploaded some photos, did what I needed and spoke to Suzanna. Not sure if Shabbat dinner will happen or not, but I have a challah so I can have one with Suzanna if nothing else. She is having problems figuring out what to do now that she is here. A lot of stuff that I hope will work out.

I headed back to check on the uploading of my photos and overheard Jeremiah talking to his mother. He said that his father was freaking out about the situation that he was asked to leave before the January date he had thought of but really (as I thought) Jeremiah is freaking out. He is saying how he cannot get to the airport (there is a train station that with one transfer leads right to the airport terminal), that he has no place to stay (he can stay here for a week or two if needed, plus he does not eat what Amir buys so the only drain it will be is the cost of water since he showers like 3-4 times a day). He wants his flight to be changed due to medical or job purposes, but I am pretty sure that will not happen.

When I talk to Suzanna she really enlightens me. It is like, some people who are rich are so poor in so many aspects. It is so true. People say that they wish that they had money or grew up rich, but sometimes those people are so much worse off then others. Plus, often when you have a lot of money and nothing to do, you turn to drugs and no offense, it is just a downhill battle after that.


Okay...so Jeremiah is gone. That is not the good news, although it is not bad news. The good news, dinner was awesome. First, I found out Amir is Jewish and he lied to me on day 2 when it came up, way to let me be a sucker for 5 weeks. Anyway, we were going to have Shabbat at Jonathan's but since he cannot use the stove (no gas) and everyone was here already, we decided to just stay here. Jeremiah wound up not being able to eat with us, he left right before we sat down. We had sweet potatoes, carrots, onions and beets (the beets were tiny enough and few enough that they were edible!). Rice, that was just like the rice I had in Germany that was called what sounded like Jew rice. It had some veggies mixed in and tomato sauce. They said to make 4 cups of rice, so I did...yea, it was as much as I thought it would be. Then we had salad with the radish leaves that we had to pick (too many were put too close to each other)and I don't know what else, but it was good. Also, Jonathan went and picked up some challah and wine for Shabbat. It was the first time he used his Visa card, yay for being an Israeli citizen and getting some money for becoming one!

The meal was delicious and we hung out for a bit afterwards. Amir was going to burn a fire but Jonathan had to feed the cats and my head was out of control. For the last couple of days I have been getting headaches...okay migraines at the end of the day. At first I thought, too much sun. So I have been wearing my hat. Not the answer. Then I thought, dehydrated. So I have been up on my liquids, no soluation. Out of ideas really. I don't think it is stress, although it might be. With Jeremiah gone, perhaps they will stop. I am traveling on Sunday though and then will be home, so maybe some internal worries as there always is with travel.

Other good news: I got a ride, not just to the train station, okay not just is not right...not to the train station but to the airport! So instead of me leaving at 9 or 10 to make sure I did not mess anything up and have issues, I will be able to leave at 1 and not have to worry about the trains or anything. I have also been invited to come back here whenever I want, I can even stay in Amir's caravan and do a bed and breakfast for my honeymoon - oh how witty he is. He offered up his pecan grove for the wedding too, which they do have weddings there, so I am sure it is beautiful but I don't think that will be happening. It is good to meet people and make friends. I sincerely hope that some of the people who I have met along the way not just keep in touch (I hope that will all of my foreign friends) but also that some are able to come and stay with me in the states. I think it is just such a great opportunity to meet people and see a place as it is with everyday life. I mean I really feel like I got to know life in St. Sulpice sur Leze, Vallabregues and Rishpon. Perhaps not the average life, but the two families lives for sure. (I did not include St. Remy as I felt it was my home for the time that I was there, but I did not spend the weekdays with them and so I did not get a feel for their work and true daily lives, where I got this with Christian, Anne and Amir.)

Perhaps traveling is not for everyone, but I really think that if you are able to, you should do it. See what is out there, not just hi I have been here, let's take a picture, okay goodbye, but really get to know a place and the people. I do not think that I will be a better teacher when I return but I do think that I have a broader spectrum on life and what is out there. Knowing how other people see things, do things, what they believe, what they want, it is just great. Seeing Amir live off of his hard work is amazing. I would love to have something similar (on a smaller scale, I do need a job!) I mean he just went into the garden, picked his head of lettuce, herbs in one pocket, onions in the other, beets on the other hand, and voila dinner was ready to be had. It is just great.

Goodbye Tel Aviv

I woke up early, due to Mr. Rooster and could not really fall back asleep. Jeremiah woke up at 6:00 and did his morning routine. I figured he was leaving soon as it was earlier then usual. I was wrong though, he told me later that he was due to leave at noon. By the sixth time that he reentered the room, I had given up on even pretending to be trying to go back to sleep.



I got up and headed to the bus. It was a foggy and humid morning, which meant interesting photo op. and frizzy hair. I caught a sherut into Tel Aviv and got off a couple of stops before the central bus station. Why would I do that? Because that is when the second to last guy got off and it looked familiar enough... of course I got off and had no idea where I was and walked in circles for ten minutes until I got my bearings straight.



I headed to Jaffa. Along the way I walked through the Levinski market, which thoroughly amused me. Perhaps because it was all about the nuts there. I mean how can you have a whole street, where everyone sells the same thing? Every once in a while I found a rice or tea shop but mostly it was about the nuts.



I wound up at the clock tower and thought to myself... "this is where my Tel Aviv map stops...where am I going?" I hoped to run into an AM/PM mart to get a map of Jaffa but that did not happen and was not really needed. I wound up at the flea market which was awesome. I am not into flea markets but it was so middle-eastern that it was amusing. I even went into one shop to look for a trinket for my sister but the only thing that I could focus on and thought she might like was a ring that would not fit her.



I knew that the best shwarma of Tel Aviv was across from the clock tower and so I headed back there. It was only 10 though so I headed towards the beach. I took a couple of pictures and then my battery said it was low (about an hour ago it was full...) I carefully selected a couple of more shots and even got to see some music video being made. It was a guy singing, one playing guitar and one recording. I am thinking he was not well known, but what do I know?

I headed back to where I was told the best shwarma was. It was a sit down place and I did not want to sit down or pay for a tip or buy a drink when I had a perfectly good bottle of water in my bag. I skipped that place and kept walking. I asked some store owner where good shwarma was and he just pointed in the direction that I had come.

I wound up walking all the way back to Tel Aviv and then decided I should just go to my favorite falafel place. I knew they had shwarma and thought it would be as good as the falafel. An hour and a half later I was there and starving. I enjoyed an eh shwarma and was nice and full. I decided to head back to the farm but I had to get my fruit drink!

I passed the same fruit stand that Jackie had gone to and figured I would give it a shot. The guy at the counter was a lot nicer then the one that she had dealt with and I asked him for a cup of his favorite, whatever it was. He made me try it in front of him and it was YUM! I asked what it was and he said banana, date, something. I said how delicious it was and the guy who made it popped out of the back and said "I made it!" I said it was tres bien and very good and they both were amused as I walked to the bus station.

The goal was to have it for the ride home as I was full from lunch, but it was so good, it did not last until then. I caught a sherut back to Tel Aviv and hoped Jonathan had not bought challah for dinner.

Israeli Drivers

So I don't think that I have discussed this with you before but I would like to take a minute, just sit right there, I'll tell you just how crazy Israeli drivers are. I have been to islands where you close your eyes as the taxi driver whips around the bends of mountains and you just know the cliff is a long way down, I have been to the countryside of France where the drivers don't look at the road half of the time (thank goodness there are not that many cars on the road), but in Israel, there are lots of cars and it is like the drivers are on an empty road. No signals, weaving in and out, cutting people off, honking, getting out of the car...

Did I tell you about the time that I went into Tel Aviv and when waiting for the Sherut back to Rishpon the driver got way mad and got out of the taxi yelling and screaming, shaking his hand, telling us to get out of the taxi to prove his point? Then wee all began the ride and wound up at a gas station and he told us all to get out. I had no idea if he was getting gas or dropping us off. Luckily it was just to get gas then we all got to get back in. But he was so angry that he was shaking for the first fifteen minutes of the ride.

Anyway, Israel, it has been fun but I shall not miss the roads! I know, I know, I am not leaving yet! But today was my goodbye visit to Tel Aviv.

Back and Forth on the Rest of the Week's Agenda

And what have we learned from this trip? If you can’t cook for ___ then you better make friends with the roommate who can. Unfortunately not everyone learns the rules that quickly and so they are left out to dry.

Tomorrow I was thinking of going into Jerusalem but honestly, I have no idea. I think I will just stay by the farm, work in the morning and then head out to the beach for one last day of shots. Then on Friday I will head into Tel Aviv, get myself the fruit juice and a falafel, pick up some challah for Jonathan’s Shabbat dinner and then enjoy dinner.

Saturday I have nothing planned but to pack and then Sunday is my travel day. Perhaps Jerusalem tomorrow and beach Saturday? Makes more sense but not sure if I am really up for it…I am just not in the mood to travel. I took some time today though to look into some jobs when I get back. So much to do and yet it is all good.

Okay, so I know…it is obvious. Jerusalem tomorrow and then Tel Aviv Friday and beach Saturday…but no. I am going to skip out on Jerusalem, for two reasons. Number one, I am so tired of traveling. I mean really just exhausted! I am happy to be going to London and having this last week of exploration but all I want to do is go home and get back into a normal life, which is not going to be the case with all of the travel I have planned for family visits. Oh well, I think I can deal with that. But also, Jeremiah liked my idea of going to Jerusalem tomorrow and so he is headed there. I don’t want to go without him when he goes and be that mean girl but I don’t want to go with him. Plus, he has very little money and the last time I loaned him some, he didn’t repay me. It was only like $2 but still, make the effort. So I shall avoid that and enjoy the quiet time.

I will do the visit on Friday to Tel Aviv as I spoke of earlier and then beach Saturday. I need to enjoy the warm weather before I am off to London the New Jersey…it was 6* the last time I checked…I am going to need some clothes brought to me for sure!

End of Season

So if you have not been able to tell with the last couple of posts, but the farm has been slow...real slow. It turns out that Amir just got a job since the farm is still in the downward slope of starting up and he needs some more money. He informed us today that we will be the last volunteers of the season and he will start it up again. I feel really bad as I know it was something he really thought would be able to happen this year. I mean, he did open the farm, but we still have had no costumers. I think there was a bit of relief when I reminded him that I was leaving on Sunday. Jeremiah was going to change his date of leave until January 1, then December 25, and now he is thinking tomorrow. He said he is running low on medicine and does not want to be a burden. If that happens, it will be good, I can do a nice cleaning of the place before I leave. Jonathan talked about having a Friday night dinner. Perhaps beach today, Tel Aviv tomorrow. If I feel ballsy maybe Jerusalem tomorrow and Tel Aviv Friday, I will play around with it. For now, the Butterfly crossing sign MUST BE DONE!

More Pictures

A frog hiding out in the leaves of bock choy



The veterinarian in Rishpon



Hibiscus



Orange hibiscus



Pink feathery flowery thing, up close



The sunset in Rishpon

A Wonderful Day for Food

Yesterday, I weeded for about 5 hours. Now this may sounds bad, but just imagine this after the day before you weeded for 5 hours. I am sick of weeding! By the end of the day, I showered and just hoping my fingers were not stained brown and cut forever...

Jonathan had been mixing cement and pouring it on the mud hut foundation. It seemed to be coming along and I helped for a bit. It was a dirty job with the sand, and wet cement flying everywhere. Jeremiah was relaxing on the hammock and then came over for a bit. I took that as my chance to skip out on the previous help I offered with a "looks like you and Jeremiah have it covered." Jonathan made a comment about my slick escape and I just smiled.

Before he left he offered to take me back to his place to check it out. Jeremiah came along as well. The place is nice, but not up to the standards that he had spoken of it. I knew this going into it as I had spoken to Megan about it earlier. It was nice though and after living in a caravan with up to three other people for more then 4 months, of course the place looked awesome. It was nice and we hung out. He was a nice host and made me a pita, eggplant, hummus, bean, rice, I don't know what else sandwich followed by some cold pomello...yum! We went for a walk and then he drove us home. Good night.

This morning I woke up and spoke with Suzanna about what the plan was for the day since Amir would be busy off the farm again. I weeded for about an hour and a half and then helped her finish a bed and put on the drip irrigation pipes. It was pretty uneventful. There was not a lot to be done so she got the materials to make signs and I weeded in the nursery. I finally had had enough after getting an uncountable number of clear tiny thorns stuck in my hands that were like silent daggers that randomly went off and never escaped. I made lunch and Suzanna and Jeremiah continued their work.

For lunch I made some pasta with a side of veggies for people to put on at their discretion. We had eggplant, onions and mushrooms and then we had carrots, sweet potatoes and peppers. Suzanna set the table and brought a salad and pesto. Oh yea, I had also made tomatoes with basil and olive oil. It was a fabulous meal. Jeremiah declined any of it as I guess it had vegetables but also he said that he was making some egg fried rice.

Oh yes, I have a story that goes along with this. The day before he had asked me if you needed oil in order to fry rice. I was a bit taken back by the question and responded with "... I am pretty sure..." Anyway, after Suzanna and I had our first rounds Jeremiah came out of the kitchen. His plate looked like rice kernels and rice. He bit into it and you could just hear the crunch, I mean it sounded like he was breaking bones! Anyway, after about two bites he said that it was bad and he was going to give it to the cats. I had asked if he cooked the rice first and he said no. Suzanna told him not to give the rice to the cats as uncooked rice is probably not good for them. She looked at me and said "right? it isnt good for humans either?" and I responded with "I don't know, I have never had uncooked rice. Jeremiah took his plate and left the table as I asked Suzanna "have you (had uncooked rice)?" to which she responded "...why would I?"

We laughed for a bit and then pulled ourselves together before he returned. I offered him so pasta after we both had taken some seconds and Jeremiah jumped on that finishing all of the pasta and tomatoes. He did skip the vegetables, but I was expecting that. After lunch I went into the kitchen to clean up and the door was wide open. The cats had of course taken complete advantage and knocked over the compost, went all over the counters and eaten everything then could, including the residue of the pasta in the colander. I was way peeved since cat paws were everywhere and there was no reason for it (literally muddy paw prints on all of the counters and the smell of cat saliva).

I began cleaning all of my pots and pans and whatnot when Jeremiah returned. I told him that the door was open and he said "oh sorry." Then informed me that they went into the bedroom after he got up and were on my bed. Like seriously, are you doing this on purpose or what?! I cleaned all of my stuff and told him I was going to leave everything else out for him to clean. He showered and then I went off to take pictures of Rishpon (the town that I am staying). I got back and the pot he used had been rinsed (yes, residue still remained) and the paw prints were still on all of the counter tops, rice covered the stove, the compost was still spilled over, soy sauce was left out, and oh yes the giant mixing bowl that he had filled with rice (glad I made a comment about that being a lot of rice) was still sitting on the counter.

I took a deep breath and just counted to three...okay ten. I cleaned up the compost and left everything else as is. It is crazy how someone could think that was acceptable, IT SMELLED LIKE CAT SALIVA! After a day of cooling off and talking to Suzanna about possible ways to approach this, it was time for dinner. Jeremiah had gone to the store and bought a hot dog and the whole kitchen smelled like mustard (gross). I cleaned up everything that I would be using - this is a funny thing for me. Back in college Justin had lived with some people who were dirty and every time that I would visit he would clean everything before and after he used it, dishes, utensils, etc (I think I already told you this but I already began so I shall continue). Anyway, I used to laugh and think it was so silly, but now...now I understand as I do the same thing.

Anyway, I decided that all of this talk about egg fried rice, made me want some. I had never made it before and decided to check to make sure I had the basic idea correct. I was on point, but needed the rice to be cold. I started the rice and then went into the field to pic fresh green onion and peas. I got back to the kitchen and cut up onion, green onion, and carrots. I cooked those up while I let my rice cool (okay I let it cool for a while then I put it in the freezer to speed up the process). I mixed it all together, added the egg, and added some soy sauce, salt and pepper, YUM! It was good and I thought about how excited I was to bring this easy little recipe home.

I ate it with complete delight and was happy that Jeremiah was in the room as I would have felt bad eating some delicious, cooked, egg fried rice in front of him. I then watched many youtube clips of Who's Line is it Anyway and counted the number of days until I head home :)

Getting you Pictures from Israel

The sign Jonathan and another volunteer made to direct people to the farm



The fields of veggies



Eggplants ready to be picked



A pepper before the duck got to it



The mud brick making station



Mud bricks



Bubba and Zinc playing - despite the look on Zinc's face



Snuggling before a nap



Picking some pomellos for today's sale out of the back of a truck



A special treat Amir brought us for selling fruit all day

Trying to Keep it Positive

So you might ask what I have been up to these last couple of days. I wish I could tell you but honestly they all just blur together. I have been helping with gathering bricks for the foundation of the mud hut. We even began to organize it, it looks okay - I say they should have used a level before laying the bricks but they are waiting until after they pour the cement...boys.

Unfortunately during my stay here I have begun to utterly detest my roommate. I understand that he is only 21 and a young and immature 21 at that, but he is just way too much for me. I have gotten to the point where I am just trying to do things that are far away from him. Sadly, he will never do what needs to be done or is around him, he will just follow what others are doing and working on so he always finds his way back to me. I leave so he has something to do but he never finishes the job and just starts walking around.

I figured I could work on my patience with him, but I am way beyond that. I want nothing to do with this kid. I feel as though he is spoiled, stupid, and lazy. He tries to say what he thinks you want him to say or what is correct, but I don't think most of it is true. I think I reached my limit when he went off on all of the drugs that he has done and how he brings his own stash on plane rides across the US. Even if it is true, it is dumb. He slept over Jonathan's last night, which worried me since he did not take his medication (please don't go crazy on me). He arrived around 10 this morning and worked until 11:45 then took a shower and ate for about an hour. He just headed off somewhere, perhaps to work more but it is just so disrespectful to not tell Amir that he was going to be late or anything. It is not my place though, so I am just trying to stay to myself.

I have not been working on my Butterfly Crossing sign as I am not sure what to put it on. Maybe I will just use the wood and hot glue for that one, but it won't look nice and I have yet to get the wood. Oh well, if I have nothing else to do.

Suzanna and Jonathan were asked to go food shopping and Jeremiah went as well. I decided to get some alone time and looked up a bunch of stuff for London. I cannot believe that the last leg of my trip is almost here. It is just insane. I am really excited about it though. Not sure how much time I will get to see my cousin, but any time will be nice. We will do Thanksgiving on Thursday and then I am planning a Grim Reaper tour and she suggested a London Dungeons tour. I had never heard of it but it looks like Halloween all over and I cannot wait!

Other things on my list of things to do in London is to try the eel that they sell, find amazing fish and chips and check out the London Eye. I have a free tour I will take to see the changing of the guards and hopefully by then I will determine if I want to go in the London Eye or just look at it.



I have been doing a lot of writing to people lately so I am not so sure what I have already said in the blog and what I have not. Forgive me if I have repeated myself. I hope that before I leave the farm I can leave with a positive feeling as right now I am frustrated with the roommate situation and how I am feeling about the whole thing. I would like to head back to Tel Aviv before I leave but I am slightly nervous as I had a crazy dream the other night that caused me to only get about 3-4 hours of sleep. I still have a fruit juice that I need to try though...

Internet Free

As there is still no internet I amused myself today with writing some quotes on the walls. I chose 3 quotes; hope, honesty and humor.
Hope: Always shoot for the moon, if you miss you’ll still land among the stars.
Honesty: Sometimes you need to take a few steps backwards and sideways before you can continue forward.
Humor: Oh, I shouldn’t have said that…don’t ever let me catch you tawking like like!

The humor one is related to my time on the farm and the laughs I have gotten with the NY/NJ/Jewish accent. I did not feel so bad for putting 3 up as I am sure that the walls will be painted soon.

Last night I was looking through my pictures and it is just crazy to think that I have been to all of those places and experienced so much. I am just in awe. I have really enjoyed my time here on the farm, but I am glad that it is coming to an end. A lot of your experience has to do with the people who are around you. Although they have all been good on the farm, I am not into my roommate. I mean, okay I am a clean person, but I got used to the camp feel after being here for a bit. That feeling of content-ness has gone out the window with unflushed pee, muddy footprints on my freshly squeegeed floor and a sand and hair pile in the sink. I used to make fun of Justin for washing plates, cups and silverware before using it when he was living in this one house…but now I totally understand and I do it each day. I am ready for a family Thanksgiving and a clean house…

My Day Off

I woke up this morning and headed out. I did the normal watering in the green house and the nursery. All of my lettuce and mustard (and whatever else I planted) has begun to sprout! I had some more time and figured I should just make some mud. I mean, it would give me something to do and keep others away from me, mean perhaps but dude you should know what to do on your own already!

I made some beautiful mud and decided to use it to thicken my sign and not for bricks. My sign was cracked in half, which made flipping it extremely easy. I then loaded the mud on. I made it more than double the thickness and figure I can always add more later. As I was doing this the roommates slowly began to wake and wonder. It is like they have no idea what to do, so they just walk aimlessly. It amused me a while while I worked.

About two hours after my start of work, Jackie and Jeremiah headed over to tell me that Suzanna informed them that Amir was very tired due to working for his father yesterday and getting back from the airport very late. They said she either said we had a couple of hours off or the whole day off, they were not sure. I took it as we would work later on. I left my work outfit on and headed to the hammock. I sat out for a while and then decided to change into a shirt that would help to get rid of my slowly darkening workers tan.

Amir's girlfriend, Suzanna came out and we chatted for a bit. She seems extremely nice and worked in schools for kids with disabilities. She seems like a great teacher's aid and then it came out that she quit her job and sold her house (or cancelled the lease) and has moved here. She has tried to move to Israel before but she had not succeeded. Now though, she likes the country, she likes Amir, and she likes the farm, so perhaps it will pan out this time.

Jackie packed up and left and Jonathan arrived. He began working and walking around, investigating the farm and what had changed in the couple of days that he was not here. He was going to make some bricks but decided that we should go looking for bricks (real bricks) to put down as the base of the mud hut. I said sure and hopped into his truck.

He knew a place in Tel Aviv to get bricks, but that was too far. We decided to drive around and found a dirt road, which led us to a pile of rubble. It looked like someone took a plow and took up pavement and bricks and stones from the ground and put it in a pile. It was a mild jackpot and we began to get what we had come for. I was a bit worried I would be arrested as people were driving by giving us glaring looks. Jonathan asked what I would do if someone came out with a gun and said "stop touchin' my rocks and nobody will get hurt." He then said he would reply "it looks like someone is going to get hurt with that gun you have..." Half of the pile was covered in the fake asphalt that is more tar then anything and after we began pulling it apart to get to the bricks underneath we both thought...maybe this asphalt is on top of it to keep it from falling... I felt that was the reason but Jonathan said he decided it was not. We grabbed some more and then headed onward.

When I say onward, I just mean further down the dirt road. We continued and found two HUGE I mean HUGGGGE piles of crap. When I say crap, I really mean dirt, sand, rubble and BRICKS. It was like the mother load. We began to put the bricks in, leaving out funky shaped ones since there were so many normal good shaped ones. It was next to a horse farm which had made a HUGE ditch and began filling it with horse shit. Now, this may not sound too interesting to you, but it is very good and important and this is needed to finish the mud hut off. It will be used as part of the muddy outside hardening phase, if that makes any sense. I made Jonathan stop loading the truck as it was getting very heavy, the back tires looked like they were getting flat, and I was worried about him not having enough fuel to get us and the bricks home.

We got back and began to unload the bricks. Jonathan went to show Jeremiah where a screwdriver was and here comes Amir...of course I am by myself and have to explain this to him. I was hoping that he would be pleased and not upset and ask what the heck he was going to do with all of the bricks. Luckily, he liked it, and began to unload, and then gave Jonathan a hand shake, arm grab, hug thing when he came back. We used the bricks as the bottom of the mud hut and are just going to wait now for some cement bags to make cement and pour on top of the bricks. Here is hoping all goes well....oh yea, today was my day off :) I like to work though. Tomorrow I believe I will be helping to sell the pommello out of the back of Jonathan's truck again. I am going to try to avoid having to pull down my shirt "for the good of the farm."

The Fridge

So after Jeremiah went shopping the fridge was stocked with crap (excuse my language). I refused to eat anything that he bought but then Amir only got apples, tomatoes and cucumbers when he went food shopping. I heard that he wanted to pay Jeremiah back for the food that he bought so I am assuming that all of the food in the fridge is up for grabs. The unfortunate part is a) I feel like it is still Jeremiah’s and b) the food is not healthy or good. I have been making do with what has been around me – which is good. It reminds me back in the day when Jonathan and I would stand around the stove and make chocolate sauce on pita since the food was out and Amir was gone. Today’s lunch was good and for dinner I made water in a pot, added chicken bullion, sweet potato (no carrots), mushrooms and the round soup pasta. No egg today as there was no egg in the fridge.

I feel like I have been eating a lot but I mean compared to part of my trip in France and the fact that I am eating frequently that might be why. However, I am not eating a lot at each portion and it is healthy and with the heat I need the calories. I don’t know, it just sounded right.

So the internet is not working as the house that usually has it is getting new flooring put in. Not sure where the connection is but whatever, no internet. It has been a pretty quiet evening but Jeremiah has found the box of crayons and is enjoying the “write on the walls” ability. He wrote some quote next to his bed which I plan to check out later, but he just wrote something on the bunk bed above his. I wonder what it said as he just scratched it out. My favorite quote in the room says “Don’t panic and always being a towel.” I think it is a motto that I used to have and still believe to this day…

It has been getting colder at night. After Jonathan left, I stole one of his blankets, so I am totally able to sleep through the night without being freezing. It definitely feels like I am at sleep away camp or camping in a nicer place then a tent, but not by much. The night that Jonathan and I were freezing and the “heater” sounded like a jackhammer was the last we really messed with the machine. Jeremiah tried to fix it a couple of times, but tonight with no internet, he went all out. He spent a good hour working on it, it was quite comical. It still heats but makes the jackhammer noise (less than before but it is still there). I think he was upset by the whole thing and turned it off and left the room.

Amir informed us that his girlfriend Suzanna would be arriving tonight. I hope that she is nice. She was a volunteer here at the start of the process so it will be nice to meet her and get her input as to how much has changed. Also, it will be nice to have another person as Jackie will be leaving tomorrow. I am not sure is Suzanna will be helping on the farm or if Amir will be busy entertaining her.

So, I know these entries are not too interesting; I cannot help it! There is not a whole lot to do. It is good though, I would not want a tv or anything like that. It forces one to think and find ways to amuse oneself like in the old days. Tonight I played a game, of course it was one of those games that you play with yourself and nobody else really knows about. This is how it went: Jeremiah left the room with his pj’s in hand, as soon as the door shut this let me know that the game had BEGUN! The goal: to change into my pajamas as quickly as possible so that I would be in them before he returned. I was working in record time until I got to my shirt…it was inside out! The turning of the shirt took some time but I managed to win that game. He took a while in the bathroom, I guess brushing his teeth and I don’t know what. So game #2 began. How long will it take for him to notice that I changed my clothes? Would he notice? If he noticed, would he say something? Oh the possibilities…

Yummy Yummy for my Tummy

It has been rather quiet here on the farm. Today I planted a bunch of lettuce seeds in the broccoli and onion containers. I know this sounds like it makes no sense, but it does. I planted broccoli and onion a couple of weeks ago and only about 20% of them sprouted, so in the empty slots I planted the lettuce. I hope that they will grow.

I helped Jackie bag hibiscus. We were putting about 10 of the red heads into a bag and tied it up and then hung it from a post to let it dry. The hope is that it will be sold for tea. The idea is great and I wouldn’t mind getting some hibiscus plants at home to do the same. I have not tried the tea yet though and this variety is not like the ones that I have seen back home, but it is a thought none the less.

I reposted some of the eggplant and peppers and then cleaned out the old leaves and did weeding in the eggplant tunnel. I picked the yellow ones to compost and a couple that looked good to ensure that they would not go bad, as well as it helped me to shape the plants and keep them from being in the area that we walk.

Jackie and Jeremiah composted the pomegranate trees and they were supposed to cut off the suckers/feeders but I did not think they did a good job so I pulled off a bunch too. It was around 11 and Amir was helping his father and we were out of things to do. With my scratched leg (from walking near the pomegranate trees) and my swollen thumb (it was in the way when I went to close the clippers to get an eggplant) I decided to just wait. I sat under the trees by the duck and then Jackie joined near the hammock. Around 1, still no Amir, so I decided to eat some lunch.

I had made a bunch of eggplant last night as we have lots of it. I did it the way that Jonathan had done it; unplug the fridge so the oven does not short circuit, cut them up, add oil, onion, herbs, and mix. I did that and then baked. It was okay but not great. I added some additional herbs and salt and pepper but still it was just okay. I agreed when Jackie said it just needed to be eaten with something. For lunch today I had a pita, filled it with my eggplant mixture, cucumber, tomato, and the coleslaw thing that Amir always gets. I was going to put in some of his homemade tahini but it was MIA. I assume he had it in his house – so I did without. Let me tell you…it was delicious!

Forgot to Post

So yes, the farm is quiet so I have not much to talk about; I suppose that is why you hear so much about the roommates. It is a bit quiet without Jonathan but he was here this morning and I think I will visit with him tomorrow after work, I can just catch up a bus.

Today I made mud for the sign that I have been working on. I think it looks spiffy but I was told it is not thick enough. It is super heavy though. Our goal is for it to dry and then when we flip it, to add more mud to it to make it sturdier. I cut the basil so it was well groomed and began working on pesto this afternoon. Jackie cut hibiscus and hung the flowers to make tea bags. Jeremiah was working on something, not sure what. Jonathan was busy with bricks. It seemed like we got a lot done.

Tomorrow Amir will leave early to help a friend with something so he gave me the breakdown of what needed to be done as well as the pricing of his plants in case anyone comes to buy. I am glad that he has things going and I hope that the word gets out and people begin to stop by. It meant a lot to me that he told me the breakdown of what needed to be done tomorrow; I mean it makes sense since Jonathan is not here now, and I have been here for the second longest, but still.

Jeremiah bought lots of food today. In fact, he bought so much food that he had to bring the shopping cart back to the farm with him. I feel a bit uncomfortable with it, I mean the fridge has lots of food in it now, but I do not want to eat any of it. I mean I was told that I could but I don’t want to because of how I feel with just not being comfortable with him and the fact that if he runs out of food before he gets more money I will feel like I owe him something and I do not want any of that on my mind at all. Plus, I like the food that Amir gets, I feel it is healthy and good. I always thought that I would be a vegetarian at some point in my life and I guess this is it. Perhaps it will come about again more consciously later in life but for now I am okay with it. I am not craving meat or anything but I wouldn’t mind eating some chicken or pot roast (if it wasn’t so hot).

I have been speaking with my teacher friends from Atlanta and am just really glad that I got out when I did. I feel like it was an amazing place to start and could not have asked for better people to work with, but I am just happy that I do not feel stuck there. Also, I am glad I can apply these skills elsewhere. I think I would really like to be able to take everything that I learned and try to improve the teacher that I am opposed to just trying to stay afloat, as I felt I was doggy paddling just to keep my head above the water more times than I can count… I hope that things get better there for those who remain as I do not think it is healthy for them or even possible to survive without burning out in that type of environment.

Jackie is super cool and I am really glad that I have had the chance to meet her, even though it has been brief. She has done a lot of volunteering, even in Thailand on an elephant farm (or something with elephants) and with deaf students in Peru…or maybe that was in South America, I forget, but she has been all over. She has been sleeping a lot when she is not working and I think she just has total jet lag. I hope that she gets adjusted before her friend’s wedding…I am sure she will!

Tel Aviv by Night

I am a traveler: So I needed body/face cream but have decided against it. I mean, it was so hot during my travels in Europe (minus Germany) that I did not really need it. I figured I would dry out in Israel but that I could survive without cream. Here is the deal, I am more than halfway done with Israel and I am getting dry. I have been blowing my nose so that is dry, my hands are dry, my feet, my legs, I am just dry! I am getting ready to leave for London and have no room or weight to get cream so what I have been doing? Nothing for all of my body except my nose. I treat that to a dose of chaptstick each night before bed.



Last night Jackie wanted to go into Tel Aviv so I went with her. We did lots of walking stopping for a fruit drink. It is like a smoothie stand but you pick the fruit you want and it is more like juice then a smoothie. They are all over Tel Aviv and I have heard great things about them, but am too afraid that I will get sick if I drink one so I have avoided it. She got one and said how wonderful it was...I decided before I leave Israel I will get one.



We continued to the beach and wound up on the street that the HaCarmel Shuk is. It was a bit creepy at night with everyone cleaning up and sweeping their trash into the street, but amusing to go through. We continued on and finally got to the beach. Decided to get some dinner, I was eying the falafal until she mentioned shwarma ... of course I began to eye that. We wound up with some pizza type things though. We found a little covered booth by the beach and sat. We split a round dough with green spice and sesame seeds. Neither of us could figure out the spice and without olive oil or somethign to make it moist it was hard to get down. We had a little calzone with feta cheese and tomato sauce and then a little pizza that seemed deep dish with mushrooms and onions. Surprisingly it filled us up. I was craving some veggies but was too full to eat anything else.

While we were sitting and chatting some guy came up to us and heard English and said hello. I ignored him as he was wearing MC Hammer pants, no shoes, was old, and just looked off. Jackie said hello and of course that opened up the conversation. He spoke like he had something mentally wrong with him and he was overly acting to be gay. He told us that he was going for a swim and Jackie did a nice job of closing the conversation for him to leave. After that we got up and walked.

Jackie was in the mood for some hooka on the beach. We went to her favorite hooka bar on the beach and was shocked that they changed their rules. Each person needs to order at least one thing (drink, food, etc) on top of getting a hookah. This along with the fact that they no long had couches turned her off and we left. Plus, with all of the light from the boardwalk you could not get the view of the ocean in the night.

As we headed back we skillfully avoided the crazy man and passed by "a great dairy place." Jackie was talking about this place before we got to Tel Aviv and I was all about trying something but I was still too full from dinner. We decided to call it a night and headed back to the bus station. Of course we got a bit lost (missed the street by two) but her friend called and happened to be in Tel Aviv. He picked us up and drove us home - yay!

Another Roommate

Jonathan explained to me how to live on a kibbutz and how you do not want to get to know the people. I think this method is okay but I want to get to know the people. It is unfortunate that I have had such issues with the new roommate as I really think he is nutty...really. Jonathan left for his new place and I was a bit bummed but voila a new person came. Jackie will be here only for about a week but she is really nice. She is 28 and I think a good person all around.

Last night Jonathan was in his new home, Jeremiah slept in a hostel in Tel Aviv and Jackie slept like a mouse...she was silent. Honestly the best roommate sleeper I have ever had. I could not even hear her breathing heavy, it was great.

I woke up early and went back to bed as it was too cold. Then I went to the beach. I took a couple of shots (please see facebook) and headed home. I caught up with Jackie who told me that she was selling pomella fruit down the street. I went back with her and spent a few hours there until my tummy said FEED ME. I did that and relaxed for the rest of the day.

Jackie is here for a wedding and her friend came to visit. He brought an adapter (THANK YOU) so my computer is up and running for the moment. He also brought food for Jackie and was a bit annoyed by the animals being all around. It made me sad that Jonathan was not here to love the animals into proper behavior. Jackie went to pick up Fix, the cat who is afraid of people and runs away. She did it without Fix seeing her approach and so when she was in the air Fix's legs flayed like crazy and Jackie got scratched...I warned her. I guess people have to get used to the animals and they will get their love tomorrow.

Camera and Roommate

So I need...okay I want to get my camera so badly but it is so hot. Like really hot. I have no ability to deal with the heat, I know, I am a wuss but I totally have learned to live with it. I am going to force myself to go to Tel Aviv today though and get the camera. I have to, the weekend is upon us and I have pictures that I would like to take and share. I shall make it to Tel Aviv!

Okay, so I know that I may be a bit harsh on this new roommate that I have but it is all making some sense. I think the guy has some major problems based on different things

Red Ants and Poisonous Centipedes

So my mud sign has become a failure. Partially because it was too big, took too much time and was too much work. Jonathan made small wooden signs that he painted and stuck in the pots. So Amir has asked me to make a sign for the nursery that says "Organic Nursery" which will be a perfect welcome sign so it is better then signs for the items. Plus, in one day Jonathan finished the signs, which means we can open sooner.

Last night we made a flower bed in front of the nursery to make it more welcoming. Amir said it was beautiful, which is a major thing. Jonathan and his good "do it before Amir gets back" ideas...they are always so good!

Yesterday when I was supporting the eggplants and peppers I stepped in a red ant pile. Now, since I did similar last year and have some scars from the suckers, I freaked a bit and then told Amir that I did all but two eggplants in one row because of the ants. He did not believe me, that they bit so I showed him. HE LET THEM CRAWL ON HIS HAND! He waited and said it did not hurt and then ridiculously said "ouch," so unfunny.

Today Jeremiah (not Gisepe) helped me finish supporting the eggplants and peppers in another row and then we had to plant lettuce, move all of the empty pots out of the nursery and organize them in size order and finally move the pots filled with soil to the end of the nursery. This all sounds great except that I felt something on my leg, on the back side of my knee and hit it (I have learned in my wise age that you never feel or itch you just hit if you think something is on you) and down fell one of the poisonous centipedes. I did a nice little dance and scared poor Amir. I asked if he bit me if it would hurt or just kill me slowly. He jokingly said I wouldn't feel anything and I ran/skipped/hopped/stomped my feet to the bathroom and checked for a bite. Luckily it was just red from of all of slapping after I saw it fall.

I finished what I was working on, made a cool lunch of cucumbers, tomato, hummus and purple stuff on pita and then proceeded to purchase health insurance for Israel. I know, I should have had it long ago but I was supposed to get it through the kibbutz program! That did not happen as I am here for such a short time and plus I found out it would be like $150+ more dollars and I thought that was crazy. Then I was here and my computer was dead. I took care of drinking water and lots of it, mixing the tap with natural so if I was not used to something in the natural water I would not be overwhelmed by it and I have really been fine. This is good since last time I got sick. I also am extremely careful if I eat anything off the farm, which has been very rare. None-the-less health insurance, done!

I think I will take tomorrow off to get my camera and do a tour of Jaffa and then you will all see the picture of the beach and everything else and life will be right again.

Sink, Accent, Jackhammer

Okay so things have been pretty quiet around here. One problem: I have fallen in love with Luna. She is Amir's dog and oh so cute. If I lived closer, I might just have to kidnap her. Anyway, enough of that.

A new kid was supposed to come today so we cleaned up a bit. Amir got the sink working...not sure if I told you guys about this or not. So the sink is a very simple machine with basically a pipe leading out. Jonathan tried to unclog it but then it went into not draining and dripping slowly. Amir fixed it this morning though, so the cooking can resume (there is only so long you can live on bread and chocolate spread).

Next, Jonathan decided to clean a blanket for the new kid and wound up blowing a fuse and making it so the washing machine is not working, nice. We raked the chicken coup, I made new nests for them, and then we put everything into the compost. Then I pulled out old squash, some of my arch nemesis, pineapple, moved the watering hole, cut eggplant, fixed the rows of eggplant and peppers and then began to "make" sticks to hold up more eggplant tomorrow. It was a long day but it was 12 and that meant I was stopping.

My bricks are coming along quite well, I make 3-5 a day (yesterday 7!). I enjoyed some pasta for lunch and am just relaxing for a bit. The new guy: his name is (I forget, Gesepie or something weird like that...okay not something weird like that but something so common). He is 21 from DC, moving to California (just switched schools), thinking about either being a history professor or a psychologist, a major talker. He is supposed to be here for about 3 months.

Jonathan is way funny. So he has been into this whole Jersey accent, which is totally a NY accent, an old Jewish grandmother accent. He talks all the time with it and for whatever reason it cracks me up. I mean I cannot go without laughing; even if he is talking about something serious! He will be off house sitting for TWO MONTHS! Crazy. He wants to come and work each day here though, we shall see. I was invited to chill there and might - perhaps even my last week to explore a bit more.

So I know I fill you in a lot with the people who I have been working with, but I mean that is all I have so that is now what you have. Okay, last Jonathan story of the day. Last night was COLD. I mean really cold. Socks were on, hoodie was over the hair and I was still cold. I woke up to chills. I warmed up after I changed positions, you know the fetal position where you are in a ball and all of the heat is surrounding you. Then Jonathan woke up and said something along the lines of "it is frickin freezin" in his accent. He decided the cats had flees and the dog was too far away to warm him up. He went to turn on the AC which also is a heater...it worked for about 5 minutes before I heard a jackhammer. I thought it was the neighbor working on his new house but realized it was the "heater." It was late, give me a break. Anyway, Jonathan adjusted the speed to get it to stop but it just made the jackhammer noises go faster and slower...finally he turned it off singing a sad song of how cold he was. It was fabulous.

A Night of Everything

We worked in the morning and then met up for lunch in the afternoon. Jonathan talked in his grandmother's Jewish New York accent for about an hour, while preparing his lunch. It was so funny, he stayed in character the whole time, just perfect. I don't remember laughing that hard since I have been away from the states. He then headed off to feed some dogs and I relaxed for a while and then made some food for dinner.

Jonathan reappeared after I was cleaning up. He tasted my yam and pear mixture and said it tasted like Thanksgiving and he was going to make more right now, the exact same thing. He pulled out a yam, cut it (without peeling is, difference #1). Then he cut it into huge pieces (difference #2), took out a green apple (difference #3...you get the point). He said the apple will allow him to eat a cold pear as a snack later. He added cinnimon and sugar to the mixture. Then he added some flour. Basically, he kept looking in the cabinets and adding more and more stuff, including cream (which was in the fridge not cabinet). It smelled awesome but tasted more like a compote then what I made. Then he whipped out some cocoa powder, cream and sugar and mad himself a little chocolate syrup type sauce. With my idea he put it into the oven and then sat for 10 minutes. Added the chocolate on top and some really really REALLY old fig jam and put it back in the oven. He was thinking about cooking it for 3 hours, but I told him I did not think there was a need to do that. I talked him down for the 1 hour to 15 minutes and then he took it out.

While it rested on the stove he went to clean the dishes, which were everywhere. I mean this is a small kitchen but when you start to concoct things it just gets horribly messy. The sink got clogged and he went to jiggle the hose. Oh the sink has a water pipeline going in and just a plastic tube leading the used water into the garden. Anyway, when he did this the tube popped out and there was water all over the kitchen floor. He got that put back in and pulled out the bathroom squeegy. He decided the kitchen floor should be mopped and took two cups of water and threw it on the floor and then poured some dishsoup on the ground. He said this is how he cleans when there is a lack of cleaning supplies. It made me laugh - I mean I don't think this is something I would have thought to do, at least not in my own house-but I should have known, this is not my house (only one sharp knife, which is an old old steak knife and barely cuts?!) this is the farm.

After he cleaned the floor he tried to fix the sink again, from outside this time. He said that he usually gigles it from outside and the fact it came out inside proves that he should continue the giggling outside...However, this caused the pipe to fall out inside again, no I did not help. The sink was not clogged when I used it and man it was dirty and gross! I let him work it for a while and then he saw Amir's brother at the other house. He got him brother and the two of them, ,ike plumbers, got down on their backs looking at the sink pipes. The determined taht the rubber piece was missing and now it is causing a leak, even when the pipes are put together. We put a plastic container under the sink and Jonathan dove into his Thanksgiving Dream.

It smelled so good, it was unbelievable. I thought he should join Israel's test kitchen if they had one since coming up with something that good with such few ingredients uses real talent. I mean really it is crazy the number (or lack there of) items we have. It is good though, it causes me to rethink what to make, switch things up, how to alter the flavor of the same ingredients, make a different texture, etc. All I know is that when I get home, I will be spoiled, royally. I tasted some of his dessert (which should have just been a side dish orginally) and it was good. The fact that he added flour to it made it taste doughy though, no worries he loved it and ate it up.

I went to bed a couple of hours after than while Jonathan stayed up to watch the Simpsons. I was awoken by massive rain, seconds later Jonathan was up too. He sat up and I knew he was going to head out to cover the mud bricks. I couldnt help though, I had no sneakers to get wet, I would slide in my flip flops, there is no light, I would trip in a ditch, all ofmy clothes were hanging on the clothes line outside, probabbly more wet now then when they left the washer and I had nothign to change into. Jonathan said I could help if I wanted and I said "with that comment, I pass." As soon as he returned the rain stopped. Then the car alarm went off. When that finally stopped, the rooster began its 4am wake up call (at least he is letting me sleep a little later than before).

It has been just so weird but rediculously comical, enjoying my dorm-esq life again.

Sea Glass and Food

(Yes, I guess the next few blogs talk a lot about food, but when you have so little to work with and so little to do, food becomes the experiment and entertainment of the day - it is a good thing there are three meals to amuse you a day!)


So today was pretty quiet. I watered the seeds, which are mini little things as well as all of the newwest seeds that I planted, despite only one dill seed growing out of hundreds of dill and other things. I then filled all of the blue pots with soil and replanted some plants from small pots to the bigger blue ones. I did this while Jonathan rearranged the nursery by herbs, medicinal herbs, fruits, vegitables, flowers/plants (glad I got out of THAT job!). Then I made a sign for herbs to show Amir. It is mud and sea glass is used to form the Hebrew letters. I finished my day by making sweet potato and pear with sugar and doing a load of laundry. I tried to make a beet thing that would be good but it tasted like beets, gross. I gave the beet, sugar and cocoa mixture to Jonathan.

It was still early though so I sat while Jonathan cut up about 6 eggplants, 2 onions, 4 cloves of garlic, a head of cauliflower, and lots of thymne and rosemary. All while he spoke with a New York Jewish accent telling me about back in the day, don't turnout like your father's side of the family who married cousins and all sorts of stuff. It was super amusing.

While working Jonathan plays Hebrew podcasts. You would think some of this would stick, but I really need to write things down to get it. I repeat what they say though and Jonathan says that my accent is superb. If only my French were as good.