The Most Epic Purim Party Ever

Insanity.

Food.
Free drinks.
Costumes.
Israeli trance music.
The party went until 5:30 AM.
I lasted until 2.
Pictures posted.
Enjoy.

Costumes and Confusion

For my non-Jews out there, Purim is a Jewish holiday that looks a lot like Halloween.  We all get dressed up, party and have a lot of fun.  This afternoon Shoshi took us to the costume center so we could borrow costumes for the big Purim party on Friday.  Apparently, this Kibbutz goes all out for Purim!  We can even go the afternoon of the party to the hair salon for free hair and makeup to match out costumes.

We walked into this room (also doubles as a shelter) jam-packed with hats, wigs, shoes, costumes, and everything you could imagine! Many of you may know that I am not a costume person.  I ditch Halloween, and theme parties are so not my thing.  But I figured, when in Israel...  I settled on a comfy kimono and really cool umbrella.  I am going to go as a Geisha and get my face painted white and hair put up in a bun.  I'm pretty excited about it actually. Everyone had a great time going through costumes.  I found one that is a dress of a giant face, and then stuffed hands hanging off the side.  Apparently, it's a cartoon character from Spain.  But if you ask me, it's creepy and hysterical.  I convinced Andrew to wear it.  Then he found a matching costume and Sam (19, Florida) is going to be his partner in crime.  We will also have zebras, magicians, smurfs, jesters, donkeys, cheerleaders, and more!

As I mentioned earlier, my Spanish is getting a lot better here.  I get to practice with the Mexicans, Venezuelans and Columbians, as well as translate from English to Spanish for the Brazilians who speak Portuguese and Spanish.  So in efforts to integrate the English and Spanish speakers during dinner, I am often asked to invite the Spanish speakers over to join our table.   Alex, (?, Honduras) only speaks Spanish and usually keeps to himself.  At meal times he often sits at a table alone, until I go over and ask him, "te gustas comidar nosotros?"  (I think that means, "would you like to eat with us?")

Apparently, my bilingual dinner habits may have given the Venezuelans some comic fodder.  After dinner, Avi brings me over to ask, "Shoshana, you like Alex as a man yes?"  Clearly, there is no correct answer to this question without embarrassing both myself and Alex.  My response to the group of joking Latin Americans... "Claro que si!  (Of course).  I like you all as men."  Insert laugh track and excuse myself to walk with the girls to see the Kibbutz Pilates class.

Isn't language a fun thing?


Tomorrow I start Kita Bet (second level Hebrew) and I am fairly confident I will be the slow one in class.  I'm going to be picking the brains of the better speakers for sure.    Until tomorrow, sending you my best!

Latraot!

First Day of Work

Today I went to work in the Chader Ochel (Dining Hall/Picture on the right).  It was a learning experience.  Working in the kitchen and Chader Ochel is not glamorous by any means.  But you know... every once in a while it's important to feel humble.  Not understanding directions and gesturing like a child to understand simple tasks can really put a dent in one's ego.  But I took it all with a grain of salt and did my best.  Setting tables, cleaning floors, washing fruit, ladling out cottage cheese from giant bins... nothing like I've ever done before.  But I have a new respect for how much work goes into meal preparation on such a grand scale.  I also reaffirmed my cleanliness standards seem to be more stringent than most.

So my back and shoulders hurt mucho, but it was a good experience and I'm glad I did it.  You can learn something with every new challenge, even if you don't like it.  Shoshi ran into me and said "no se preocupe we will find you something else." Shoshi and I speak half Spanish, half English, and qetsat Evrit (little Hebrew) together.  Not sure what I will be doing next, but I'm open to it all  Eventually I may be able to work with the kids which is what I really want to do.

I did like that I was working with Avi (24, Venezuela/Israel) today.  He and I spoke English, Spanish and Hebrew together and had a pretty good time chatting.  He's funny and I enjoyed getting to know him.  Example conversation below:

Avi: Have you seen Coldplay in Los Angeles?
Shosh: No, it's too expensive.
Avi:  You don't like Coldplay!?
Shosh: I like Coldplay, but I like my money more.
Avi:  You're sure you're not Israeli?

After we finished work around 2 PM, I was hanging out by the Ulpan Porch (our central hangout).  Reading, chatting with people who finished their Kita Aleph, and those who were also done with work.   Small talk led to the idea of frisbee and Andrew (22, New York) led us to the Kibbutz soccer field.  The little kids were at soccer practice so we used and edge of the field to play frisbee.  Gidon (24, Florida) and Max (24, Oklahoma) tried to teach me how to throw the frisbee properly.  I was difficult to teach.  After about twenty minutes I tired of my perpetual suckiness and general lack of coordination and retreated to a nearby rock to read.  (Of course I always have a book with  me).

Now we're off to pick out costumes for our Purim party on Friday.  Whooo!

Latraot!

A couple things...

1) I should be sleeping
2) Venezuelans are hilarious
3) There is a giant water tower on the Kibbutz with a Hannukiah (menorah) on top.  Tonight we replicated it skiing down hill in a 15 foot mural for purim.  It looks like a marshmallow.
4) Went to the Kibbutz Pub, very cool and chill.  I enjoyed it and the people watching.  Yes, Israeli men are yofi (beautiful).
5)  Tomorrow I start work and still don't know what I will be doing.  This poses a wardrobe issue.

Lyla Tov! (Good night)

First Official Day

Today was our official start to the Ulpan.  We met with one of the teachers Yochi to asses our Hebrew level.  Even though I don't understand any of it, the fact that I can read puts me in Kita Bet (which is the second level).  So I think I will have my work cut out for me.  Meanwhile, my Spanish is improving in talking with Julie from Columbia and the many Venezuelans.  There are two guys from Mexico who mostly hang out with themselves, but they are hilariously bohemian.  Think: dreadlocks, sandals, and Hammer pants.

After we were assigned to classes I asked Shoshi if I could work with the kids.  She said she will try in a few weeks to put me with the children but that I must learn a some more Hebrew phrases first.  Meanwhile, I report to the office tomorrow for my first day of work.  Still no idea what I am doing.  Kita Aleph (beginning class) starts classes tomorrow.  I start Thursday.  I'm really looking forward to it.

The rest of the day was spent at lunch, a rousingly dull game of Battleship (it really stopped being fun after the age of 8), and then another really great hike!  I'm really enjoying it.  We sat around at the top a bit discussing politics and the IDF (Israeli Defense Force aka the Army).  Many of the guys who are here are Aliyah (becoming citizens) and they want to join the army.  It was interesting to hear how much they already knew about it, and what they wanted to do.

Most people in the Ulpan are actually Aliyah.  I think there are only four of us who aren't.  I have a strong suspicion that there may be some peer pressure to make Aliyah.  But, as you know USC is next up for me.

My shoulders are killing me from the hike... why that and not my legs?  No clue.  But I suspect if I keep this up I am going to be in awesome shape soon.

Dinner is up next.  It's not really a big meal on the Kibbutz--usually leftovers from lunch.  But lunch today was pretty good. There was couscous and some really yummy cheesy things.  I hope there are more tonight.   Later we will go back to help decorate the Chader Ochel (dining hall) for Purim again.

I will leave you with a joke I learned today...

"What sound does an Israeli cow make?"
"Eh.... mooo."

If you've never heard an Israeli talk you probably wont get it.  But to give you a basic idea, "eh" is like the Israeli version of the American "um."


Latraot!

PS. Sorry for the overuse of the word "really"

Painting with Kibbutzniks

After dinner we were encouraged to go to the Chader Ochel (Dining Hall) to help the young Kibbutzniks (people who live on the Kibbutz full-time) decorate for the big Purim party Friday.  It was our chance to mingle with the younger folks.

Frankly, it was pretty awkward in the beginning, like a 6th grade dance, but eventually it was pretty nice.  We were painting this giant sign with Gial (which means "My wave") and Yechiel.  Both ladies lived on the Kibbutz their entire lives and once they saw we weren't slackers were fairly friendly and answered our questions with good humor.  We talked about yoga, pilates, and the fact that gymnastics and folk dancing weren't considered cool in Israel.  It was a good time, I'm glad I went!

Now time to relax... tomorrow they tell us which Hebrew class we will be in.  Aleph (beginner) or Bet (intermediate).  I'm guessing I'm going Aleph.

Latraot!  (See you later!)