Almost three years ago today, one of my best friends, Emily, and I were sitting around in my New York City apartment having the 'lets move abroad' conversation, which was becoming more and more common a topic for us. We both had International Affairs majors and a love for travel, different cultures and global development...and our itch to explore those passions were becoming more persistent.
Then, Israel came up in conversation - and one chat with our respective moms later, our plan was in motion. By March 2014, had our bags packed, our visas prepared and a new apartment in Tel Aviv.
Now, after three years of excitement, frustrations, delicious food, countless new friendships, a stressful, yet incredibly rewarding job and a bit more clarity on who I am in and what I aspire to be, I set out on my next adventure - Agahozo Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda, Africa for a yearlong fellowship with the JDC. Throughout the upcoming year, I will be keeping a blog (named after my childhood nickname - Wada...but more on that later...) to share my thoughts, insights and experiences.
But, just to recap on the past two and half years, here is a half baked list of things I've learned:
- Shabbat dinners are the best part of the Jewish religion
- A 9-month summer really does make people happier
- Israeli adoptive moms, sisters, fathers, aunts, cousins will pop up and make you their own
- The startup nation's 'innovative thinkers' are a byproduct of serving in the army and the 'live each day like it's your last' mentality
- Process? What process?
- So.many.six-packs.
- All you can drink wristbands are a miserable hangover worth doing over and over again
- You will get ripped off in the Shuk if you speak English
- Eating alone in a cafe is OKAY
- There are good types of avocados and very very bad types
- It is possible to continue making new friends, even when you have your group
- 'No' really isn't an answer
- Positive vibes are a real thing with a real affect on others (as are negative vibes)
- But does anyone actually work in Tel Aviv?
-Tel Aviv sunsets are the best out there
- You will change your mind between loving Israel and hating it about ten times a day
- Lines are apparently meant to be cut (still disagree with this one)
- Some cultural differences will continue to bother you until the day you leave (i.e. line cutting)
- A one hour car ride can bring you through desert, mountains, forest, fields, ocean and seas
- Pushing and shoving is totally fair game until there is a red 'no walk' man and zero cars in sight, at which time, stop and don't move out of the way
- Fresh, seasonal produce > American grocery stores
- Five, ten, fifteen, etc. year plans are a Western world phenomena that stresses people out and I'm still not convinced serves a useful purpose
- Unorthodox agendas are the best agendas
- And most of all, comfort zones are meant to be crushed
I'm sure there's many more to add!
So excited to continue my journey - and have you come along for the ride.
