The Big Transition...

Israeli Independence Day by all means trumped Purim on the scale of out of control celebration throughout the country. Although I only saw the excitement and festivities in Tel Aviv, I spoke to friends in various locations who said the same. Streets were blocked off, fireworks lit up the sky, people sprayed foam on one another at a rally at Rabin Square, and it was nearly impossible to hail a taxi because everyone hustled and bustled to and from. The Big Transition that I anticipated really happened and the logic began to make sense. While I wondered how people could switch from mourning loved ones to partying, I see it. These people died fighting for Israel’s independence. We were honoring what they died for.

Palestinians call Israeli Independence Day “The Nachba,” The Tragedy, but millions of Jewish Israelis and tourists danced their way through the streets last night wrapped in Israeli flags, and filled bars all over the city celebrating Israel’s 60^th birthday. We also celebrated Nikki’s birthday on the same night with a large gathering at Academia on Montefiore. I finally had an occasion to wear my white and blue print bubble skirt with pride. People inevitably partied throughout the night, and woke up just in time to pack up goods to barbeque outside.

Since we weren’t allowed to grill on the beach, we setup camp on a park by the Hilton just above the beach. Our skewers, salads and pita looked wimpy and amateur compared to the elaborate smorgasbords that filled the blankets and grills around us. These people have transportable grilling down to a T! Smells of gourmet burgers, spreads and fresh breads filled the park and put us to shame, but we enjoyed the sunshine and our first experience joining the masses of people “making fire” (grilling) on Independence Day as it is The Thing To Do.

Again the sidewalks spilled over with people coming to and from the beach, parents taking kids to get ice cream, or passersby just enjoying the lovely day. Something special really circulated in the air. Police blocked off the streets that lead to the beach, and I’m guessing that was more for safety precautions than to prevent traffic jams... Knock on wood, so far so good.