Post #2

Shalom everyone...well, it has been a bit since my last blog entry. I've been very busy with the job search, but wanted to make sure to keep everyone in the loop. I am in a beautiful cafe in Tel Aviv sipping a lattee and having a chocolate croissant...life is good.


Batman Begins - I went and saw it at the Malkha Mall in Jerusalem. I forgot what a crazy and amazing experience it can be to see a movie here! The entire crowd talks as loudly as possible during the previews...I don't know why, but - as they say, kacha zeh. The movie goes for about an hour, and then, right in the middle: hafsakah (intermission)! It is a great concept for theater owners, but horrible for movie fans. Basically, it gives an opportunity to go out and: go smoke, go to the restroom, go smoke, go buy more nishnushim from the concession stand, go smoke. In any case, on the print I watched, there were a few problems with the dialogue volume, so I ended up reading the transliterations (Israel is one of the few countries that does not dub, which helps new immigrants learn Hebrew, and lets Israelis learn other languages).



Knaffeh in the Old City


I went with an old friend to the Old City in Jerusalem, and promptly made a beeline for a restaurant called Abu Shukri, for the second best hummus in the city (Pinati holds pole position). We had some great food, and then went to Jaf'ar for knaffeh. For those not familiar, knaffeh is the simply the best reason to indulge in what is essentially a heart-attack-waiting-to-happen-on-a-plate. It is sweetened goat cheese, baked with honey and rose water, and a bit of whole wheat and pistachios on top. Note to the Israeli Government, the PA, and other international parties: serve this at all future negotiations, because everything is better after knaffeh.



Tmol Shilshom


One of the things I truly love about Israel is the coffee culture. I read about the mix of coffee culture and zeitgeist in fin-de-siecle Austria and Germany, and I can't help but feel that much of that has made its way to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I went out with some friends for my birthday to one of my favorites: Tmol Shilshom (http://www.tmol-shilshom.co.il/), or 'Yesterday Two Days Ago', which is a book store/cafe/hangout that I used to frequent. Israeli writers also frequent the place, including: Yehuda Amichai, who read from his poetry at the opening of Tmol-Shilshom in June 1994. Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, David Grossman, and Batya Gur. I had a delectible piece of cheesecake with strawberries, blueberries, and lychee nuts, a cappuccino, and a great time. While I didn't see any famous authors, it's just one of those things about being here that makes you stop and love this place.



Politics


While I have been focusing on job searches (anyone know of open positions?), I am really enjoying being back in the thick of Israeli politics. Shortly after I arrived, Prime Minister Olmert announced that he was stepping down as head of the Kadima Party, and as such stepping down as Prime Minister. Due to some complications, there is a chance he could remain in his post for some time, but - most expect that the Kadima party election will bring either Shaul Mofaz (Minister of Transportation/Deputy PM) or Tzipi Livni (Foreign Minister) to the leadership of the party. I am watching this election with a little more intrigue than the U.S. election, though I am following that one closely as well. I am a little uncertain about Shaul Mofaz, since his public statements vis-a-vis Iran have been extremely problematic, have contributed to a rise in oil prices worldwide, and in essence have seemingly been made without care as to international perception. I have full confidence in Tzipi Livni as a Foreign Minister. I am not sure how I would feel about her in the position of Prime Minister...tbd. Overall, I think this country needs a leader who is a Churchill on the foreign policy level and is someone who has no skeletons in her/his closet (this country has seen countless leaders fall in corruption scandals...not necessarily in greater quantity than other countries, but there is a definite sense that people here are tired of scandals.)

That's all for now folks! Time for me to get some dinner. I'll write again soon...