Happy Chanukah from the Holy Land! Chanukah is filled with so many festivities here; it's really fun. In nearly every house, shop or restaurant you walk by, there's a menorah in the window.
We kicked off Chanukah T-minus 1 day by finding ourselves a menorah at one of the artist co-ops on Yoel Moshe Salomon. I spent many hours on Friday making latkes in anticipation of our Second night party (did you know you can freeze latkes?!) We made a combination of white and sweet potato ones---the sweet potato ones were especially delicious (sweet potato, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and egg).
We did clean so don't worry, the kitchen didn't look like this for too long.
Our second night party with Ethan's classmates was a success!
L-R: Bess (Rab), Mark (Rab), Sarah (Edu), Jeremy (Rab), Jonah (Rab), Rachel (Edu), Brandon (Rab). Also, please note our aloe plant is alive and well in the background...we've made it a week!
L-R: Jodie (Rab stu), Bethie (Rab stu), Nancy (SO), me, and Emily (SO)
Sunday night's party at M'vasseret was chaotic and fun. Tugis LOVES Ethan!
So, there are a few other Chanukah celebrations this week but what I want to leave you with are a few things I've learned/discovered in my first few weeks (nearly a month!) in Israel.
1) We have a "dude" in our house. Most houses here have them because water is heated by solar power but when the weather isn't sunny and warm, you have to flip your "dude" (shortened from dude-shemesh) at least 15 minutes before you shower so that it's not freezing cold.
2) My gym is closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday for Shabbat. Not gonna lie, it's a little exciting to have an excuse not to go to the gym on the weekend. Good thing we do even more walking than normal on Shabbat since there are no buses running.
3) Speaking of buses, my bus to work (#24 in case you want to join me) does not seem to slow down for turns. I am totally comfortable with Boston drivers but Israeli bus drivers are another story.
4) Wearing pants as a woman is a statement here. It screams, "I'm not observant," as you walk down the street. Similarly, when I met up with my orthodox cousin for breakfast dressed in a knee-length skirt and long sleeve top, he jokingly commented that I was going frum. Never before have been so aware of my outfit choices and those of others.
5) Strawberries and oranges are in season!
6) Chanukah is an excuse for cafes to sell "soofganiot" (ie jelly donuts...a Chanukah delicacy). I have learned that in Israel, soofganiot, which I always thought were only filled with jelly, actually come filled with every flavor imaginable--pistachio, mocha, dulce de leche, chocolate, jelly, and vodka.
Hope your holiday season is equally wonderful!
Love, Arielle
