Random Thoughts

I know I have a lot to update you on, but for now, I'd like to share some random thoughts...

*Today will henceforth be known as "awkward moments with the plumber." My toilet has been leaking whenever you flush it (don't worry, it's clean water). The plumber showed up this morning as I was stepping out of the shower with the front desk guy. So I was just barely in a towel when they opened the door. I've never had two men apologize so much for seeing me almost naked. I almost feel offended! haha. Joking. They were actually very nice about it and gave me a minute to get out of their way.

*Second awkward moment with plumber: He left the apartment for a minute to get some supplies. When he came back, he said "Thank you for the coffee." I said "I don't drink coffee, but I have tea." Soooo we sat down and drank tea together for awhile and he told me all about his American coin collection. He was actually a very nice guy. I found the whole scenario amusing.

*Buses. At home, if you're waiting for the RTA bus at a stop, the bus will stop for you just because you are sitting or standing there. Not in Israel. If you don't hail the bus over, like you would a taxi, they have no interest in stopping. They think they are on a race course, or at least I imagine them thinking that. If you are looking down, texting, reading a book, not paying attention, you are screwed and have to wait for the next one. Honestly, I don't mind that one bit, especially when I'm on the bus. Also, if there are a lot of people trying to get on the bus at one time, you better push your way through to get on the bus! The driver doesn't care, he just wants to drive, so he'll close the door before everyone gets on the bus unless you scream at him.

*Bus drivers. I have had asshole drivers, but most have been very nice. I have found that most have basic directional English down, and when they hear my American accent speaking Hebrew, they like to practice their English with me. I ride bus #6 everyday to and from work. I know every single one of its drivers by now, and each are very friendly, except for one. He's a jerk, and always starts his shift late. One time when I was waiting for bus #6 (they go every twenty minutes), a driver from bus #13 insisted I go with him. His kids live in the US, so his English was pretty good. He showed me around the neighborhoods that we drove through on his route. He pointed out the president's wife's house, the president of Tel Aviv University's house, and the former prime minister's house. It was my favorite bus ride in Tel Aviv! It was my own, personal tour!

*Cats. I grew up with both my parents and maternal grandparents always hating cats. I didn't fully understand why until I saw with my own eyes in Israel. Cats are not pets here. They are wild and live in the dumpsters. They are filthy and disgusting. They show up at all the restaurants and beg at the tables, they paw at the customers trying to get food. They're covered in shit-- shit being actual poop, or it can be in reference to the garbage that's stuck to them. Seriously, disgusting. At work, the doors are open and cats walk in and out all the time. They crawl on the desks, benches, everywhere. Barf.

*Dogs. I'm a dog person. My whole family are dog people, with the exception of 2 cats that are in our family that act like dogs (they play fetch and are just as friendly as dogs). In Israel, everyone is a dog person. People take their dogs with them EVERYWHERE!!! They're the best trained, well-behaved dogs I have ever seen. No one has a dog on a leash because they don't need one. They stick by their owner. Dogs are with their owners in restaurants, buses, wherever. It just makes me miss Cosmo so much more!!!

*Work clothing. Everything is casual here. Want to wear jeans and converse with no laces to work everyday? Perfect. I brought nice pants here, but I'm not sure why. I knew what I was getting myself into. Maybe I'll wear a pair one of these days just for fun.

*Clothes. My friend, Barry Irwin, always refers to Israel as the place where 80s fashion went to live on. In some ways, he is right. Most of the time, Tel Aviv is a very fashionable place, but maybe too much so. You know how you see trends on the runways in Milan and Paris? Those trends are made into normal clothes for the everyday wearer. Not here. They take them right off the runway. So it ends up being just weird looking. High-waisted pants that aren't form fitting, with no pockets? Yep, they're here. Leggings worn as pants, instead of just with long tops that cover more of your behind? Here. Leggings with big, weird print on them, instead of plain black or gray? Here. The guys mostly are dressed pretty normal, except that they sometimes wear shirts that are not long enough. Does your shirt show part of your belly when you move your arms, guys? Then it's too short!!! But the worst is on the ladies:  stonewash jean shorts (short shorts), worn with black tights and either high heels or converse. Blah!!! Terrible. That's straight out of 80s and 90s music videos. And you know me, I love love love the 90s. But there's a reason why that trend died. I wish it would stay that way. All these celebs keep wearing it-- Rihanna, Nicole Richie, Gwen Stefani-- but it still looks terrible, so please please please stop wearing it, ESPECIALLY with stonewash colored jeans. Ugh!!!! 


Nicole Richie rocking the terrible 80s & 90s fashion trend that a lot of ladies are wearing in Israel. Gross.



The worst pants ever. Do not wear these.

*Service at restaurants. The food here is fantastic! (Depending on where you eat, of course). But the servers here can be put to shame compared to the servers in the US. Tonight was the very first time that I actually had a server come to our table and actually ask us if everything is okay and could he get something for us. Bari, Aaron, and I couldn't believe it! For a brief moment, I thought we traveled back to the US. That never happens here! The servers here take your order, answer your questions, bring you food, but they don't pay attention to drink refills, unless you ask them. And for you to ask them, you have to actually get their attention to come to the table. They don't ask you how the food is, they wait until after you're done, and maybe they'll ask if you liked it. You always have to ask for your bill, they will not bring it to you until you are ready. Actually, I like the bill situation here much better because it is rude when servers just throw the bill down, especially when you're not done. But, again, that requires the server to actually swing by your table, which they just don't do. Also about the bills-- they do not give you separate bills ever, even if you ask for it. You can give them as many credit cards and cash as you want, and they will bring you correct change, etc., but they will not give you separate bills. I think that just makes things way more complicated than it should be.

*Weather. I love the weather here, except when it rains a lot. It can be cold and rainy for a week straight, and all of a sudden, have a perfect, sunny 75 degrees day. These kind of days are the best. I will try to make it to the beach on those days and hang out with all of the tourists and old men who play "matcot" everyday. The rest of the Israelis are wearing winter coats and hats at 75 degrees. I should get a picture of me wearing a tank top and shorts, standing next to people in winter coats.