My good friend Hen (Brittany), who is studying in India right now, recently wrote in her blog about monsoons. This, I think, is the core difference between India and Israel. I haven't been caught in a rainstorm, tasted a raindrop on my tongue, rushed through an annoying drizzle, heard thunder, seen lightning, curled up on my bed while the rain beats a pleasant melody on the roof--in two months. Half of the year, it doesn't rain in Israel. Not one drop. Not ever.
Rain annoys us. It makes us cancel our outdoor parties, forces sticky raincoats and awkward umbrellas on us, makes it very unpleasant to walk the dog, causes car accidents. But I have never missed the rain so much. Thunderstorms, especially. In New York, when the heat and humidity are getting to be unbearable, there will be a great big thunderstorm, huge globes of rain hurling down from the sky, lightning slicing open the clouds, everything suddenly dark and thrilling, and the deep, welcome voice of thunder proclaiming its joy.
In Israel, it just gets hotter and hotter and more and more humid, and nothing happens. Not a drop.
Anyway. This weekend I traveled to Jerusalem and stayed with my friend Scott, who was on the Ulpan for a few weeks and then decided it wasn't for him. He's volunteering at this center for disabled people in Jerusalem, and all volunteers there get free room. There's a dorm, so my friend Shoshana from the Ulpan and I stayed there. Friday night we walked to the Old City and visited the Wall, which, by the way, is open 24/7--and there are always people there. On Shabbat Shoshana and I got up early and walked around the Old City again. In the afternoon, I visited Rayna, whose campus happens to be about a 3 minute walk from Scott's house. I met all her friends, and the campus is teeming with over 300 campers, and now I remember why I dislike 17-year-old girls.
But really, it was great seeing her again, and she's going to come stay with me for a few days at the Ulpan, and I'm really excited!
By the way, Scott is 33. One of the really cool things about the Ulpan is that it makes age completely irrelevant.
2 comments:
Hi Mariel,
The reservoirs in New City are quite low, and we are expecting thunderstorms this evening and on and off t'm'w (yippee, maybe no lifeguarding work!?!)When the first raindrops fall after succot, you will be so happy! I heard Israel is having a very hot summer. But on the plus side, you can go camping and leave the fly off!
I hope you and Rayna make it to see Sara and Chaiim this week.
Today Sue Gans and I spent the day hiking and swimming in Minnewaska State Park. The lake was wonderful, I swam for 50 minutes without stopping. We had the dogs with us, they stayed on the beach while we swam, and luckily they were well behaved. There was a sign up about the dogs: no whining, no barking, etc. or else! Both Lola and Cindy behaved.
Dad planted flowers for Bubbie, and the oven part of the stove broke on Friday while I was trying to make challah. That brings you up to date on the happenings of New City.
Miss you and love you,
Mama
this weekend I experienced the amount of rain I have seen in my lifetime within 40 hours. no bugs though! <3 the sopping hen
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