Last Days On The Kibbutz

Ok, this has sat unfinished for a month now and I think its time I get it out and wrap up my time in Israel. Seeing as the 4 people who might read this have already heard all this from yours-truely's lips, this is purely for me.

...........

 

I can not believe I have left Israel. It doesn’t seem real. It became my home. I am very blessed to feel like I have family all over the world. It starts in UT with a support of family, and friends that are family, that I carry with me everywhere and I know no matter how long we are apart the love is just as strong and care for each other is deeper then before.

I moved to San Francisco and didn’t realize till I was there 5 months ago, that this is a branch of family too. I am so welcomed there: everyone supporting and guiding me on my career path. This will always feel like my dance home.

Now I have Israel to add to this tree of homes. I don’t know how to describe it yet. When I left it felt like I was leaving my family and I don’t know if I will ever see some of them again. I am certain I will be back in Israel in the next year. There’s not even a question. So many of my friends have stayed for jobs, but some people have gone back to their countries and we all are moving on with our lives.

It was a bitter sweet last week. Hali and I stayed on the kibbutz a couple extra days, so my goodbyes were dragged out.

We had our final dinner where everyone made incredible food. I will miss that about our group; Their cooking is amazing!!! Ieva, our resident artist, made these unbelievable cards for the important people of our program. I can't get over how cute they are. I wrote something from MASA to all the teachers and we presented them with a bottle of wine, chocolate, and a little tribute to each.

Emily did the skit that her group made a while back in improv. It was right after our hike in the Golan Heights. We were like Indiana Jones and Luke Skywalker smashed into one as we trecked through a stream up to our waist for an hour. It was so cute and referenced all the funny things we love about Eran. (Our tour guide) For Yuko we made a cologe of our favorite songs that inspired greatness in our improv classes and dedicated our last 3 minute improv jam to her. For our dear Mika and Roni, Iris and Sophia took on the task of making a video of all of us speaking about our experience here with them. It was so sweet! Then Hali and I got on the screen...of course we did ours together because we are 'The Chalis' and we can't take anything seriously. There is a blooper reel at the end that is mainly us...being us. I'm so glad Iris and Sophia did that, and I'll charish it forever.

Might I suggest watching from 15:12-15:43 to get of preview of what Hali and I were like...all year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LENrImSr6KE

*Side note: I am excellent at holding it together when I expect tears, but its the unexpected ones that got me. We were back stage before our final show and Emili gave a lovely speech to the audience thanking everyone and sharing her experience. Out of no where I start crying! I look at my friends who have never seen me cry and they start laughing (remember I'm referred to as "the Hulk") The music starts, and I can't stop crying. Luckily, the first number was an epic one with walking and crying just add a tich of drama in my opinion;) hahaha!

Anyways, we laughed and cried, and said our goodbyes.

The next day everyone had to be out of the rooms. We dumped all our stuff in Ruby's room and headed to dinner at a friends house. It was so fun to relax and spend time with everyone out of the studio. We ate dinner, talked till the wee hours of the morning, spent the night because of the excessive talking, and soaked up our last hours together. After this evening I realized why I am so sad to leave this place: I feel spoiled with love. That absolutely sums it up. My dad pointed out to me today that not everyone feels that way and I am so blessed to have these people in my life. Parting after this get together was my undoing. The lucky people in Sherut got to stare as I silently weep behind my sunglasses. hahaha great. We got back to the kibbutz and went straight to Roni's for our last Shabbat dinner. Double sad. I'm afraid we weren't the best guest that night. As always it was so fun to be with her family.  Roni seriously doubts my return to Israel. I can't wait to prove here wrong:)

Hali and I didn't want Mika and Roni to forget what we looked like so we blew up a BEAUTIFUL picture of ourselves and stuck where they will have it always.

Hali, Becca, and I left Ruby at kibbutz car drop off and that was my last sight of the wonderful Kibbutz Ga'aton. I will miss everyone there the most, but I WILL BE BACK SOON!!! Many of my best memories of life have been made there and I'm so blessed to have lived there. 

SHALOM!!!

Final Perfomance on Kibbutz Ga'aton

It's taken me a while to start writing these last post of Israel because I am not ready for it to be over.

The shows were killer. I am very proud of my stamina, although it could always be better. I think it's an accomplishment to have made it through the 105 minute show (in which I was on stage 85 of those minutes)

There are things about being a dancer that will never change, and my life will be easier when I just except them. One being, a week before the show, shit ain't gonna to be done;) It happened in high school (I thought, can't wait to be a professional and not deal with this) At Lines (better but still felt panicked a week before the show) and in Israel (Learned a piece 2 days before the show. xo dancer life) I reminded myself I had complete faith in Mika and knew it would all come together, I just had to trust.

By Thursday we had all lost our minds and it was apparent. It's great when dancers in their 20's decide the best way to deal with stress is to dress up like a dork

We also adopted Hali's game of 'Shoe Golf' the last few weeks of Masa.

The first run we did, I had serious doubts of my stamina and ability to make it through TWO shows in a row.

Two days before our show, after last run=utter exhaustion

*THESE ARE REAL LIFE PICTURES.

NO STAGING INVOLVED.

We all deal with it differently...

Literally passed out before the bag could come off

 By show day, I felt optimistic, and with a quick prayer for my survival, we jumped into the shows. The first day of shows went well, but after the show we all sat on our balcony and stared at each other in utter defeat.

hahahahahaha!!!!!!

The next day, I felt a million times better. I think adrenaline from the show, knowing it was our last day, and said toe injury (details to come) gave me the stamina of a...I'm going to go with wolf.

Time for the toe story. Beginning of the first show, second day, I was on stage when I felt my toenail rip. I looked down and there was blood on the stage. Luckily there was a black out 10 seconds later, so I wiped up the blood and ran off stage for my 60 second costume change. As I ran of stage the tech guy came over to see what I was wrong. I told him, "It's fine. Gotta change." I start stripping and he shines a light down at my toes. I take one quick glance and see blood and an entire nail in the wrong direction. He tells me I don't have to go on stage (at which I think I rolled my eyes) and said, "Yup, it's just a toenail. Get me tape" He comes back with tape and I slab it on and run back on stage. I guess he told one of the choreographers, and she told Mika I had an emergency. (I've never, ever gone to Mika for help, and she told me later that when she heard I 'needed' her, she thought, I was dying) Well, she can't leave the light booth so Roni comes taring back stage asking where I am. She finds me waiting for another entrance and starts patting me down, asking what's wrong. I was so confused and gave her a dear-in-head-lights look I'm sure. I told her, "I broke my toenail" I start laughing and tell her it got blown out of proportion. I made it through the show although it was very pain full, and my foot wasn't pointed half the time I'm sure. Mika came back stage right after the show to check on me and I gave her the same explanation. She laughs, gives me hug, and I admitted that I got blood on the mattresses we had to dance on. By the end of the shows 'MASA roomer' was I had to go to the ER in the middle of show...even though I was on stage the whole time. It's nice to know everyone cares so much though. 

. The second show, I was so pumped up on adrenaline, I barely noticed my toe. When I got home though, I had the fun task of getting the toe off my nail and assessing the damage. It was pretty gory and the next few days I developed awesome toe muscles from holding my toe up while I walked;)

As of today, my toe is healing great. I was worried it wouldn’t heal quickly (and have auditions in 3 weeks) but it’s all going great.

We finished our shows with our dinner in the café and some bubbly to celebrate. I’m so glad I got be in this show. It was challenging in every way, and the last infusion of KCDC I need before I left. I am so proud of all of our work we've done in the last 5 months with this group. We ended with an awesome group of people and friends for life. 

Go MASA Spring 2011!

Lama Kaha? (Why like this?)

It hit me today,

6 days till I leave my friends.

10 days till I leave Israel.

Tonight is my last Shabbat dinner with my amazing building.

The list goes on, but thinking about it honestly feels like I am getting ready to leave my family.

Lechiem!!

I was reminded today that the best way to get out of my grungies,

is service.

Emotions are running high with the show in 4 days, JUST finishing learning the pieces, leaving in 7 days, and fatigue. Today was my day to feel all of this and no matter how many times I would consciously choose to change my mood, I would find myself back in the in between of yelling and crying. haha, gotta love show time;)

We were let out of classes to go and do an impromptu performance. A few of us got on a mini bus and went to a kibbutz 30 mins from here. When we got there, it turned out to be a home for the mentally disabled. I was instantly snapped out of all my stuff that actually isn't important, and walked into the home ready to serve. We performed in the cafeteria and the music didn't work half the time, but the smiles on the people’s faces as we improved to fill time, and as I looked at each one in the eye as we waited for our music to start, was priceless. Some ood and ahhed, while others sat quietly. One woman stood in the center, front row the whole time and conducted us. She loved it. Another man gave me the thumbs up sign the entire time. As we walked out, they gave us wood banks that they had painted as thank you's.

This evening assisted me to shift and be outward focused again, ready for our shows. It reminded me how important I think it is for dance to be available for everyone. It's just as important for me to be the one giving that gift. Since being here I have been so blessed to have danced and worked in the beautiful theater on the kibbutz, performed in the biggest theater in Israel, been on national TV twice, and danced on the worst stage (I think possible) My absolute favorite performing experiences have been dancing for the children of the kibbutz and the home today.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, especially in a country that is not my own.

It is the biggest high of life.

To many, many more experience.

Lechiem!!!

(Which means, 'to life')

Shavuot

I celebrated my last holiday in Israel last week, Shavuot. This fun holiday is all about the kibbutzim. Their farming, food, babies, and abundance. We started this holiday by...go ahead, guess...eating. For some reason, to celebrate this harvest holiday, you eat dairy. To be more exact, dairy with carbs. (My kind of holiday) The women of the kibbutz made tons of incredible desserts and the kibbutz had an outdoor movie night. We peaced for the movie since the subtitles were in Hebrew as well as the dialog, great help for us, and got ready to go to our one and only pub. Everyone wears white (like dairy) so we braved the white at the pub and had great time dancing the night away.

Taking a breather after I became a sweat bomb. Israeli heat.

The next day was an outdoor ceremony of sorts with the participation of some of our Nitzotzot pieces. The crowd loved them!

Look at those eyes:)

I think this was my favorite 'together feeling' holiday.

I am going to miss my kibbutz when I leave!

Nitzotzot Round 2

It has been a crazy month full of extra rehearsals, hours hunting down the costume lady (a positive and negative thing about living on a kibbutz: you don't need to be anywhere at any time. We just yell loudly and someone will come...in theory) more hours in rehearsals, and a few hours sitting on the porch hoping someone will appear to be my personal chef.

 

As always it was a fun week in tech rehearsals, and hours of sitting in the dark. My kibbutz is fancy and has wireless internet in the cafe, hence in the theater. So, I took my computer and planned my life out...until August 1st.

The shows went well over all. The first two shows we had a grand total of 5 people in the audience and 3 were our teachers. It didn't bother me; this is about the process not the performance. The second day was much better in the number of audience members.

Mika made a video for us and played it at the show. It was pictures of all of us with our names and countries. Later on, another video pops up and I hear the sounds of our giggles as we made our famous "fish face" video one wild night on the kibbutz. Here is the link if you want to check it out:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht2BYIEraFQ

Later, later on, I hear my laugh on repeat over the sound system. Mika had put my part of this video on repeat, which then led into another slide show. My earth shattering laugh as a soundtrack, great.

We ended the shows with a toast to our success and a surprise party for the sweetest nugget I have ever met, Natasha.

It was a great round 2 for Nitzotzot and in 2 weeks were back in the theater for the show we are literally just pulling together. I love a good challenge. It will be a fun week of intense dancing and time together.

Bring it on!

Time Has Flown

Time is flying!

In six weeks I will be leaving Israel and starting

my journey back to the States.

These last few weeks have been long days but the weeks are flying by. Rehearsals have been crazy with our student show coming up in 10 days. My schedule has consisted of rehearsals before our 9:30 class, costume and clothing orders during lunch hour, and 4-5 hours of rehearsals after classes are done for the day. I love being busy and the tiredness that comes each night when I give myself permission to come down off the all day adrenaline rush. In this crazy schedule though, I have neglected to stay in communication with a lot of my friends and family. As I say in Hebrew, Sleekha! (My skills are mad crazy, I know)

In the last few weeks we have had Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. Being here for Memorial Day really opened my eyes and heart. I could go on for a long while, but am getting ready to go back to rehearsal and this will never get up if I don't do it now. I will always remember this day and have learned so much from observing it here in Israel

Independence Day was the very next day, which was a huge shift and a little weird I think, but I spent the day at a Israeli style BBQ at Roni's house. I ate way to much (American style) played with her kids, and had a lovely day with friends.

I spent a weekend in Tel Aviv where we rode a bus to the boonies on accident, saw a great show, ate Indian food, walked in the rain, sat in a cafe for hours, shopped at the shuk, went with friends to get things pierced, slept in a not so great hostel, and haggled (in Hebrew) our way back to the kibbutz via bus/car. Good weekend.

My barber parlor is back in business. We got hair cutting scissors and the list of clients is long. The other day included 3 haircuts and 2 waxes. I really should be charging for this service. I could make a butt load;) I really want to do something to my own hair... I got the itch.

All in all, everything is going great, and I am soaking up my last weeks in Israel just in time for summer. (Got some nice sun time in this friday and I'll cherish it)

I've done my best to make my scattered thoughts make sense to more then just Stacylyn, who is an expert at deciphering my crazy emails, but in the now...8 mins I have taken to write this, you get what you get.

Six Weeks Left!

Pesach

I guess in this case, it's better late than never...

Happy Pesach!! Two weeks ago! If you’re Jewish!

Pesach, "Passover" in English, celebrates Moses freeing the slaves from Egypt and their journey to the promise land.

We had Monday and Tuesday off then the following Friday-Monday. Let me start out by saying it sucks that we can only go places on Shabbat (when the country pretty much shuts down) and on holidays. (when the country pretty much shuts down) So, we took a day trip to Akko, which is a old Arab town on the coast. We walked around, window shopped, partook in the Shuk, and ate hummus with mushrooms and 'hummus with hummus' ('hummus with hummus' is how they explained we could order plain hummus. Love Israeli English. Similar, but not as cute, as my American Hebrew.

I experienced my first Seder with a host family on the kibbutz. I didn't know what to expect and I have to say I loved my first Seder. Everyone took turns reading out of the Haggadot (stories and blessing special to Pesach) It felt like no one was listening but everyone would shout 'amen'! and pour another glass of wine. All of the family took turns explaining what was going on and made jokes the whole time. As always the food was epic and never ending. By the end of dinner the family was telling me the benefits of dating a man who has been circumcised. I was dying of laughter. I told them that most men are circumcised in the states and not to worry. It then led into what kind of Jewish man I should marry so I can stay in Israel. We aren't picky: Jewish, doctor (preferably plastic surgeon to work on my host family's grandma;) her words not mine, 'McDreamy' status, non religious, non kibbutznik, Israeli AND American humor. (good luck with that) As you can see, men like this are everywhere, so if I don't come home, it's because my host family is pimp'n me out. Dinner lasted four hours and I stayed and talked for a fifth. It was my favorite holiday so far.

Side note:

I have had my first set of allergies this spring (this will come full circle, back to Pesach in a second) Hali and I have been DYING in our room! A tree is pollinating right outside our window and makes both of us a sneezing, dripping, itchy MESS!!! After dinner at my host family's, I walked in my room and in about .5 seconds my eyes were so swollen I could barely see. In retrospect, if Roni had seen me, she probably would have taken me to the hospital. I walked outside and grabbed two cucumbers from my neighbor, and stood with them on my eyes for half an hour. The swelling went down, and after one long night, my eyes were back to their normal, red, itchy, allergic selves. It's been a fun few weeks in the Chali house hold.

We decided to rent a car for the four days we had off and see some things we hadn't seen. We started with a trip to a artist colony called Zefat. It is one of the four cities in Israel that is considered holy by the Jewish. It was so beautiful. All made of cobble stones, alley ways, art galleries around every corner.  We beat the rain and only got a little wet as we walking to our car.


Our "student midget" car



Singing to the Hebrew radio




Entrance to Zefat

Northern Israel is so beautiful and lush this time of year. We drove past the Sea of Galilee on our way to Nazareth.

Let me tell ya folks, there ain't a lot to see in Nazareth. We thought it would be like Jerusalem, full of ruins, churches, and history...Not so. It looked like a ghetto. Nothing was kept up on, the signs were horrible, and very few sites to see. After driving in circles looking for the churches, we decided to pursue on foot and shortly realized we were going to get nowhere this way. We finally found a pack of tourist and followed them in our tiny car. We tried to park several times in an alley way that was only inches wider then our car with no luck. After maneuvering around a parked car in the middle of the road, we turn a corner and end up in the middle of Shuk. Literally. We start hysterically laughing as a man comes running at us waving his arms. I had to get out of the car and direct as Marissa did a 72 point turn in the alley way. She rocked! We decided to get out of Nazareth as fast as we could. We saw one Greek Orthodox Church, snapped a picture and tried to avoid the senior citizens as we maneuvered our way out.

We stopped in Nahariyya for a lovely dinner at our favorite restaurant, Penguin, and spent the rest of the night enjoying dinner and each other. I'll say so I remember in years to come, several secrets came out this night and waiter witnessed one well timed "why didn't you tell me?!" slap. Priceless.

It rained the next day so our plans for hiking and a possible rafting excursion was cancelled but we got some great food shopping done, and sight-seeing trip to Rosh Hanikra. It's a cliff on the border of Lebanon that was drilled into during World War II for the potential transport of goods, and people into Europe. Now, it's beautiful caves and wild-ish life surrounding them. We finished off the night with a sushi rolling session, and ate wonderful meal all together.

Sushi night

 

The rest of the weekend was chill with sun bathing, beach, and rehearsals. I realized that I will have celebrated every Jewish holiday in Israel by the time I leave. Pretty cool:)

Holocaust Memorial Ceremony

I had the amazing honor of dancing at the Holocaust Memorial Ceremony in Israel this year. We performed a piece from Aide Memoire, the piece Rami Beer choreographed around the Holocaust. The day started out with a siren going off throughout Israel for 3 minutes, signaling a moment of silence. Everyone stops, gets out of cars, and observes silence: One of the most moving things to witness.

Now, this performance has gone down as the most memorable and unpredictable performances of my life.

To start with, the stage was so big, we had to practice on a tennis court. To add some excitement to the already mentally and physically fatiguing dance, there were statues all over the stage that were bigger than me, a cat walk that was 6 inches raised from the stage that zigzagged back and forth like a Pac Man. We knew in advance, so we taped off the tennis court and practiced, in the rain, to make sure we would be able to do it. We had a surprise when we got to the outdoor ampatheater and found out the stage was made of COBBLE STONE. Yes, we wore our tennis shoes with lovely white socks over them.

Best Costume Award.

 We got on stage for dress rehearsal and the cat walk was in a different design then what they had sent us. Even though our director checked the day before for any changes, it was different. We got on stage and pretty much re-did everything we had done. We were there for 5 hours with our restaging, and their unorganization. They tried to do crazy things like have a singer walk down the stage while 28 of us were spinning and kicking our legs in the little space we had. Mika, quickly vetoed that idea and we moved on. We also thought for a moment the 6 TORCHES would be lit while we were dancing, putting the all of the beautiful, long, curly hair in danger of catching fire.

Thank goodness we avoided that.

The next day we arrive one hour before the performance to find that another statue has been added to the stage, and the cat walk was in a different configuration. We weren't allowed to get on stage, so everyone just stands on the sides and 'plans' what is going to happen. Mean while, 50 high schoolers have discovered we are foreign and start taking pictures with us like we are 'Brad and Angelina'. Mika had to yell at them and "yalla bye'. There was no place to change so we took turns holding up a tarp and changing.

We all got eaten alive by mosquitoes.

It's our turn to go on stage and the music starts 12 counts later then it should. Everyone was amazing and pulled together. Go Masa!

Half way through a man appears on stage.

 I guarantee both parties did not know about the other, because you see how confused he looks. He stood in my spot the whole time, and at one point, there is a close up of him speaking and I am circling him. He kept flinching away from me and giving us all 'the eye'.

 

I know I just spent an a long time talking about all that went wrong, but if they asked me to do it again exactly as it was, I wouldn't hesitate one bit in saying yes. It was such a touching experience and I'm so honored I got to participate. Everyone one amazing and pulled together to get it done. Literally through rain and shine, rough roads, and blocks in our path, we did it and it turned out beautiful.



A 5 Star Desert

We took our trip down south last week. This was my favorite trip last time, and it exceeded expectations this time.

We did a workshop that...a...lets just say, wasn't my cup of tea. It was nice to do different movement,
but maybe the people aren't my cup of tea.

We stayed in a hostel right under Masada. It was a gorgeous place and the landscape is stunning. I never looked at the desert and thought, "stunning"
but it really is.

This is the landscape of the hostel.

We got nice and early and did a hike in the Judea desert. It over looked the Dead Sea, had a rare stream running, (It had just rained) we climbed down some nice cliffs and hung off ledges.
That’ll get the adrenaline pumping.

No, this is not the cliff we climbed down, but you get the picture.

We went to spend the night in a Bedouin Tent. You know, the kind that have one big mattress covered by a cloth tent. We all got a lovely surprise and ended up in what I will refer to as, The 5 Star Bedouin Tents.

We learned about the customs and life style of the Bedouin and had an amazing meal where I got to eat rice with my hands. That had me sold right there. We finished the night off with a bon fire and tried to sleep on our straw mattresses. Don't get me wrong, I was grateful for the hut, but I was sniffling all night from the straw.

I got visit my future pet.

We named her Chaliet, to go with Chali #1 and Chali #2.

We got up the next morning and hiked Masada. It was a beautiful day to do it. The story is brutal on both sides, and standing on top of the mountain, seeing how people lived for years, is a lot to take in. I think it's bad living with same people on a kibbutz, try a mountain top for 4 years.

We finished off in the Dead Sea. Who can't be happy floating on top of water?

A wonderful week. I love Israel :)

The Day Has Come

If there is one thing I don't like about myself, it's that I sleep talk.

Normally I wonder what I say,

(although, Hali's favorite thing is to tell me what I said to her)

I feel bad if I wake someone up etc...

BUT

my speech last night is the one I've WANTED to come...

I spoke Hebrew in my sleep!

.................................................

....................................

.............

.

Thank you very much,

 we like to refer to me as a "speaker".

Israeli Flirting...Or Insulting, I Can't Tell Sometimes

I thought I would start writing down some of the interesting conversations I have. Here’s a little glimpse.

Location: Arab Shuk (market) Tel Aviv
Time: 11:30
Target: Shopping

It all started when buying a skirt. Color, green. Length, knee. The salesman complimented me on being from California (literally) my eyes, so on and so on. (These middle aged men are pretty tricky with the words) After I purchase my skirt, he says some flirtation thing; I am walking away and hear,
"Look at those girls legs! They look like a Football players!!" I flipped around with my mouth wide open and my finger pointed at him. He chuckled and waved me on.

Location: Kosher McDonalds (Heaven help us, they're in Israel too)
Time 21:30
Target: Killing Time

Five of us are sitting in a booth, talking about the show we just saw, when an older man perches over our table and proceeds to stare each and every one of us down. When he sat back down, our eyes about popped out of our heads, wondering what just happened. A couple minutes later he stands up again from across the room and walks towards us staring directly at me. I, of course can't, NOT stare at an awkward situation, so after his second round of staring he sat back down. I am shaking uncontrollably and crying from trying to keep my laughter inside when he turns his head and hisses at us. Yes, HISSES. He slowly walks away again and turns around to get one last look at us as he goes down the stairs...to hiss again. Real life. Sometimes, people hiss.

Location: Kibbutz Ga'aton
Time: 13:15
Target: Get in shape

One of the long time dancers here, has converted a bomb shelter into her Pilates studio (pretty creative) and does lessons that most are taking advantage of...except Hali and I. It's to expensive for us. So, Hali and I have come up with our own Chali Boot Camp (CHC) and you too can be part of this trial run for 0 down, 0 interest, until 2034. (best deal you will ever get) CHC offers a variety of cardio including sprints around the kibbutz: conveniently only 1/2 mile around entire kibbutz. Take in the beauty of nature as you do suicides      up and down the Big Raya field. Test you core strength with the Tree Hustle as you shimmy up the beautiful trees of Israel. For coordination, don't step to far to the left cause there might be some dog poo! And last, but certainly not least, resistance training. Connect with a friend as she holds the many therobands wrapped around you middle, as you try to run away. A fool proof idea.

Location: Taxi Cab
Time:14:45
Target: Get home from Nahariyya

After a morning at the beach, I'm loving our cab driver and how funny he is. He and I were meant for each other. First thing that made me love him:
Driver, "What part of California live you?"
Me, "San Francisco"
Driver, "San Francisco!?!? The city with all the gays..."
Me, "Yup"
Pause with eye contact in rear view mirror
Me, "Are you going to ask if I'm a lesbian?"
Slight pause followed by deep rumble of laughter
Driver, "No, No. I heart the gays. I might be gay. *Wink.  Did you know that 50% dancer women are gay?"
Me, "Really, I had no idea"
Smile on my face.
Driver, "You should know the facts about your own profession"
You know something I love about the Israelis, is when they are done with their artistic profession, or decide to change theirs, they do. One of my teachers has a degree in Neurological Science. I met a cab driver that randomly knows everything about dance and hangs out with all the Batsheva dancers. One driver use to be an archeologist for 20 years in the middle of nowhere and got tired of it. So, although I think this statistic is a little off, I have learned the most from my cab drivers, so I won't totally discredit it. End of story, I asked for his card and he will now be my person cab driver, because I said so.

Location: Masada Youth Hostel
Time 21:00
Goal: Walking to bathroom

We all were enjoying the warm nights air at our hostel in the desert, laughing, laughing so hard we were crying, and laughing so long my abs hurt. I got up to use the restroom when a man stopped me to tell me I walk like a man.....Yup, that's it.

Oh Israel, how I'll miss you when I'm gone.
Many stories to come.

Purim Week

One of my favorite things we do here is volunteer. It is always so fun to be with the group and meet the amazing people we do.

We went back to the Nahariyya Hospital this week. I have already been twice, painting the tunnels of the underground emergency hospital. We wanted to do something else but they insisted we come back and paint. This time I realized I know people there, and they recognized me. Everyone we run into in the hospitals knows we are the "dancers that paint". We paint, some better then others. I am the others. I enjoy every second of it though.

Swirls are, and have always been my forte

Some of us have the talent to make this beautiful tree and bird.

SOOO impressed!

As long as this hospital is operating, our pictures will be there. Pretty cool!

It was Purim for the last week (which is celebrated like Halloween) so we put on a dance show for the little kids of the kibbutz. They all came dressed up and soooo cute!



Those are the little nuggets ALL dressed up like bunnies. And yes they are in cages. This is the way they carry the littlest kids around the kibbutz all day. Now do you see why I love the kids her so much???

These Lifestyle Carts are what the older people of the community drive around. Since day one I have been holding myself back against Theft and stealing one. They are all left unattended everywhere. I have recently got myself an "in" with one of the elders of the community. You can look forward to the picture of MY face in these carts.

Anyways, all the grandparents of the kids had their carts decorated and they had a parade of costumes, decorations, candy, AND a party isn't complete without an accordion player?!?!?! My kibbutz has one dressed in a clown suit. Beat that. 

Friday, there was a huge Purim party at the pub. Everyone on the kibbutz goes. To start out the day, two guys on a lawn cart drove around in costume for an hour yelling in a loud speaker, "Purim party tonight!" and some other stuff I didn't understand.

Our room looked like a circus that night. By some chance, our room was the get ready or stand there awkwardly room. We had SO many people piled in.

People got very creative. Example:

Meet, Mother Nature

What's every gay mans dream?

To walk around naked with glitter plastered to themselves.

Meet, The Sun & Moon.

Hali, Sophia, and I were the Three Blind Mice.

(Mouse 3 seems to be missing in action)

We had sticks that we ruled were not the best idea, given everyones drunken state, but we did get a good sword fight in before the intoxication level got too high.

 

Which was not to long after we got there. Everyone raged and some raged quicker than others. Hali, Marissa, and Mila were "Blackout Betty" by 1:30. We made it home in time for the barfing to commence. Our friend introduced us to Charcoal pills a couple months ago. They really are magic. It's what they use when people get alcohol poisoning and such. It absorbs everything in your stomach, so taken when intoxicated; it sobers you up, and alleviates the vomit. Unfortunately some people didn't take them in time had a very long night...and day. Others decided it would be best if she didn't try to swallow them and proceeded to open them into nutella and attempt it that way.

 Good life decisions all around I'd say.