Gabby's Visit.

Gabby emailed a few weeks ago telling me that she was coming to visit me in Israel. Truthfully, I didn’t really believe her until emailed me her flight itinerary. Actually I held my breath until I saw her walk through the arrivals gate at Tel Aviv airport. The fact that news broke out on the shooting in Jerusalem just before her parents drove her to Newark airport didn’t give me any boosts of faith. It’s easy for me to say that I feel very safe walking around the streets in Israel, but another for someone who has never been here before to understand that feeling.
So she landed. Shortly after, her distant (very distant) relatives who live in Lod picked us up at the airport and drove us to our destination: a lovely beachfront apartment in Tel Aviv with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Mediterranean. (Thank you Ora and Moshe.) I must admit that I did not realize how meager my housing in Haifa is until I spent many nights in luxurious, civilized habitation. I guess one just adjusts.

Gabby came along on an Otzma fieldtrip during which we learned about the life of minorities in the north. She was a trooper as I threw her to the wolves- into a pack of 45 Americans with extremely strong personalities. We hiked outside of Haifa, visited a Druz village called Dalyat AlKarmel, stayed on a rundown Kibbutz, visited a yeshuv settled amidst Arab village neighbors, and even met with college students in an Arab village called Sachnin. I have never felt as unwanted and out of place as I did in Sachnin. We met with a group female students under the auspices that we would ask any questions we wanted about what it’s like to live as minorities (Arabs) in a Jewish country. I guess I was expecting a little bit of fluff and a shared dream of peace in these tension-stricken boundaries. Speaking euphemistically, my expectations were not met. In short, in their opinion, they want their land back and they want the Jews out. Not only do they want the Jews out, but they couldn’t care less where they go or what happens to them/us. I could write an entire blog on this two hour experience, but suffice it to say that it was not an uplifting conversation.

After subjecting her to a few nights in Haifa so that I could volunteer, we ended the week with a few more nights in sacred Tel Aviv in true vacation form: relaxing on the beach, drinking coffee… on the beach, shopping in adorable boutiques on Diezengoff and Shenkin Street, laughing myself horse, and dancing until we stumbled home with aching feet in consequence for wearing high heels. Have I mentioned my excitement to move there in a few weeks?

Gabby’s visit was magnificent on several accounts. Firstly, it was special to play hostess on her first trip to Israel. I clearly talk about how much I love being here all the time and I could finally exhale when she said that she loves it here, too. It was exciting to show a close friend from home the life I have built for myself here. It reminded me of when Rob came to visit me in Charlottesville and I got to show him the little niche I carved for myself. Most importantly, it can never be overstated how refreshing it is to spend time with old friends who mean the world to me. To not feel the need to explain myself, to have the ability to reference something from five years ago, and to be with someone other than my mom or dad who might have insight into my future endeavors.

I have been a little bit blue (understatement) since Gabby left, and I feel more assured than ever that going home for Julia’s wedding in May is the right decision. I wouldn’t miss it for the world and I cannot wait to spend time the three of us together.

I also am quite sure that I will spend the summer in Israel- preferably working in Tel Aviv. Any ideas or suggestions are, of course, welcome.