Sebastian's Neo Bulgarian Pasta

So for dinner tonight I had pasta, I improvised.

Rotini Pasta
Tomato Paste
Crushed garlic
Basil
Parsley 
Salt
Black Pepper
Grape-seed oil or Margarine 

Black olives (optional)

Bon Appetit

Springing into May

Spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere, as we are about to enter the month of May. April and its happenings, its stories and adventures is a part of history. I was in Israel for most of April, where I spent Passover with my siblings Laya, her family and my sister Chaya in Jerusalem. I thank them and my cousin Daniel for their generous hospitality. I had an incredible and meaningful festival and the memories and moments shared will remain with me forever.  

Israel is an astonishing place. It has created a modern and technologically advanced society and communities in its short yet vibrant existence. It is still growing and evolving in its tiny geographic area in the Middle East whilst it simultaneously defends itself from its oppressors. I was fortunate enough to attend the blessing of the sun at the Western Wall in Jerusalem – a once in 28-year ritual. Being amongst 50 odd (yes odd and 50,000) thousand people and heralding in the new cycle was simply extraordinary. Additionally, being pushed and shoved and metaphorically ‘riding the spiritual waves’ amongst the Israelis in the crowd is definitely something memorable and is a souvenir I can always reminisce upon. Passover was holy and ritualistic, but it always is. Only this year the added holiness and different customs of Passover in Israel was apparent and genuine. As it says, may we next year be In Jerusalem (please drink to that).

From one adventure to the next I proceed and back to New York for the spring into summer. The season where less is worn and this is not only due to the economic crisis. It is a time where the sun shines on those longer summer days. The heat intensifies in the humidity of the New York atmosphere. It would be apt, that in the summer, when the weather is brighter the global fiscal economic mess could rebound, recover and like the boomerang, return.

Time will tell.

April has been an interesting month, as Obama progresses to 100 days in office. Some say, that is the only progression that he has made. Passover celebrates the freedom of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. Captain Richard Phillips of the Shipping Vessel ‘Maersk Alabama’ also had reason to be thankful as he was freed from captivity at the hands of modern day Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. And the piracy continues as captains declare Mayday.

So after minding the gap in London, even after a few beers I am back in New York. Temperatures are rising as is unemployment, but an optimist I’ll remain.

I thought I would share some brief reflections on my living abroad. I have been blessed with having the opportunity to hop around different communities and environments to watch and observe as to how things unfold elsewhere.  One must not only know their ‘local’ but is important to branch out and have a taste of the ‘others’. So keep on exploring your outer and inner, spread outwards but remember what is inwards but keep your privacy by regulating your publicity.

 I wish you a happy spring, summer; autumn (fall) or winter wherever you may be and may we only hear good tidings and dream sweetly into the next chapter.

London

I minded the gap in London. Now I am NYC bound.

April and Passover with the Sabra

As I write, Israel is gearing up for its 61st anniversary as a sovereign state. Indeed Israel is in a league of its with their self made rules, that go hand in hand with their self made help. I congratulate the country on reaching another milestone in their existence and live in hope that the holy land stays intact and safe from all harm.

I was fortunate enough to spend the festival of Passover in Israel. I thank my sister and her family for all the festive related activities and more. I truly had a fabulous time, some spent with the family, some at the various beaches up and down the Israeli coast and some in a mix of drinking spots scattered about this majestic country. 

I was able to link up with old friends (not all) and I made new friends along the way. I ventured out to the markets and bazaars of Jerusalem, Tel- Aviv and Jaffa. I travelled the highways (this is what ACDC mean in their hit ‘Highway to Hell’) from Jerusalem to Zichron Yaakov, Tel Aviv to Hertzaliya and some more. I saw the beauty of a country, so green and rich in colour, yet with grey clouds of uncertainty hovering above. I once again witnessed Israeli beach culture in Tel Aviv. I saw the young and old play paddleball, the tanned man walking about yelling (selling) ‘Artik’ (iced beverages of some sort). It really has to be seen to be believed, or maybe not. I was introduced to the small yuppie suburb Neve Tzedek in Tel Aviv. It is a gorgeous little neighbourhood with cafes, boutique shopping and art galleries. I drank beer and bantered with friends on Ben Yehuda St close to the Tel Aviv port. I lunched with Sigmund’s, a small café/kiosk in Rechavia Jerusalem. Last but not least, I meandered about in the streets of Jerusalem, both in the new and old city. I prayed at the Western Wall for the Western World.

Israel is unique, not only due to its holiness and rich history but also because of its citizens and their habits and mannerisms. The Sabra (one born in Israel) is apparently called this due to their rough exterior yet sweet interior. Seldom did I see the latter. They create new meanings to various norms of human culture and nature. In fact, they have created their own ‘constitution’ of life, without creating one. In short, Israelis are loved and hated, admired and despised. Israel is on the forefront of many of the latest technological advances of the modern world; they keep up with the latest inventions and modern technology that the world has to offer. However its taste of fashion needs a substantial overhaul.

There are no words - you have just got to love it.

That is just some of my trip, a truly exhilarating, fantastic and wonderful adventure. 

There is more to be told, but I’ll let the mind wander, wonder and imagine.

I leave off with wishing and congratulating Israel on 61 years and more. I remember the lost and fallen soldiers who fought for their country to make dreams come true. I pray for its future welfare.

Visit Israel and show your support. Wish Israel happy anniversary and confirm its existence. Pray for Israel and preserve its survival.

Bumper sticker

I saw a bumper sticker on an Israeli street today " Well behaved women rarely make History".

Discuss.

Sigmund's meeting place - Mifgash Zigmundim

In Rechavia a suburb in Jerusalem I found a great little coffee house / soup bar / cafe called Sigmund's meeting place (in hebrew Mifgash Zigmundim, the Z must be used when translating it in Hebrew to give full effect). The owner inspired by the thinker and well known psychiatrist Sigmund Shlomo Freud and apparently a Yementite Jew called 'Ziggy" . They serve some great Middle Eastern dishes, soups, sandwiches, salads and have beer on tap and other alcoholic beverages and coffee.

The cafe looks like a bubble, it is a free standing construction on the corner of Azza and Ha-Ari Streets (opposite Metudela). 

For a little read up on the Cafe here is the link. It may be a little outdated.

http://azrielcohen.com/inc/sigmunds.html?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=500&width=400

Neve Tzedek - Oasis of Justice

Today I travelled to the Tel Aviv neighborhood 'Neve Tzedek' (translated 'Oasis of Justice). It is a small suburb tucked away in the southern part of Tel Aviv. Narrow streets lined with boutique stores (mainly women's clothing) coffee houses/cafes, bars, mini art galleries and unique jewelry stores can be found. 

The streets are charming, delightful and picturesque. The neighborhood offers a sense of fashion, style, eateries and even that end of the day 'spirit'. It offers serenity and peace in a city of noise, hustle and bustle and attitude. 

Go and check it out. The main street is called Shabazi

Looking brighter

Citigroup post some refreshing and positive economic figures in their latest accounting adjustment- finally some sort of a profit. So the economy is looking brighter. I just await the media to downplay the profit and turn the news into some negative issue. I'll stay positive and optimistic and watch in glee as the economy regroups, rebounds and replenishes.

Stay tuned. 

The Loud and Promised land

David Brooks, New York Times writer sums up the loud and promised land. Great article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/17/opinion/17brooks.html?_r=2

You say you want a revolution

John Lennon (musical and lyrical genius)  wrote those words, which appear in the title, for the song 'Revolution'. It was 1968 and it was politically inclined. It is sad and tragic that politics and bureaucracy have a stronghold on world matters. A tragedy of the highest proportions. 

Mayhem is seen in Thailand as protestors clash with Army and police against the Thai embattled government. Close by, yet in a league of their own, Pakistan battles its existence and apparently without government intervention, a collapse of the nation is forthcoming.

Obama, called for change in his successful political campaign. They are some very lovely words. Don't we all want some change? 

More action = less dissatisfaction, more talk = more balk.

Tel Aviv Beach Culture

I went beaching to Tel Aviv (located on the Mediterranean Sea) on Friday. It was sunny and divine. The water clear and refreshing. The sand soft and smooth. The atmosphere fun and exciting. It was amusing to see Israeli beach culture. The culture is borrowed or better, pilfered from its neighboring European counterparts, namely, Italy and Greece. There is a DJ who spins tunes, whilst Beach-maids and there male equivalents tend to the needs of the beach-goers. The proverbial Israeli- tanned walks about collecting money for the use of the beach chairs and recliners.

However the beach culture revolves around the game called 'Matkot', loosely translated as beach paddleball. I have heard that this game is Israel's unofficial national sport. Both the young and old, the male and female and whomever else partake in this quasi tennis/badminton /squash game. 

Now I must mention the Israeli interpretation of a swimsuit. Oh right, there isn't one. Go to an Israeli beach and you will spot the bather in his skimpy briefs.

Culture.  You gotta love it.

 

I saw the Sun

Every 28 years we bless the sun as it completes its vernal equinox. We bless the sun and in turn bless G-d for creating such a wonderful place to live in. Earth, equipped with the sun and the moon serve a vital aspect of our existence. 

So bless the sun that vegetates our needs , produces spectacular sunrises and sunsets, gives sunlight and warmth. 

I attended the blessing of the sun ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem earlier this morning - 8 April 2009. There was a large crowd in attendance on a gorgeous, stunning and picturesque morning. The crowd blessed the sun in unison for its input within our living world and for illuminating our surroundings and life. The crowd together thanked G-d for the creation of the Sun and G-D's continued support of all creations and beings.

I saw the Sun

Cat in a plane

I will write in further elaboration but I thought I must mention that whilst boarding my flight to Israel on Wednesday, April 1 2009 I witnessed 2 passengers board the ELAL Tel Aviv bound flight with Pussy cats as their hand luggage. 

This was not an April fools joke.

Only In Israel - or more correctly en route to israel. 

Arrival

I have arrived in Israel in preparation for the festival of Passover. It is great to be back in a country which has this aura of peace and hope, yet continues to fight its battles.

Have a great weekend.