Things I Want to Do in Israel

Jul 21st, 2009 - כ"ט תמוז ה'תשס"ט

Speak Hebrew.
Go hiking.
Sit outside a bar and drink Goldstar.
Walk down the street from the bar, drinking my beer on the street.
Hitchhike.
Eat at Falafel Gabbai in Tel Aviv.
Return to my favorite parts of the shuk in Jerusalem, and explore more of that labyrinth on a crazy Friday afternoon.
Walk in the middle of a big city at 4am, and not worry about muggers.
Sit at a cafe for hours on a sunny Friday morning, drinking an Americano despite the scorching heat.
Feel comfortable offering my two cents to a stranger, because I know we are brothers.
Wait in line at Abu Hassan, knowing I will be eating the best hummus in the world at the same table as four perfect strangers.
See soldiers everywhere and feel a bit nostalgic – but not too much.
Make extensive plans for the weekend on Friday morning.
Sit outside and look at the much bluer sky.
Get lost in the Old City.
Go to the Galil and see where I come from.
Eat a breakfast of eggs, cheeses, bread, salad – what’s cereal?
Go the Kotel on the night of Tisha B’Av.
Watch the sunset on the beach.
Go to Jerusalem and walk on the same stones my ancestors did thousands of years ago.
Be extremely dry and sarcastic, and fit right in.
Hear Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah, right before the 2am news on Galgalatz.
Be home.

Posted in: Israel.

Jack says:

July 22, 2009 at 04:35

The shuk can be a very special place. I have many fond memories.

Vicki says:

July 22, 2009 at 06:15

Thanks for this post. Since you don’t usually write a lot of personal posts, it was surprising and welcome. You should write more of the same! I love all of your list of things you want to do, a list that is no doubt in the minds/hearts of anyone who has any deep connection to Israel. Nesiya tova.

Haveil Havalim #227- Our first Jewschool attempt | Jewschool says:

July 26, 2009 at 07:49

[...] Israeli offers up this list of things he wants to do in Israel. Among them, this gem: “Hear Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah, right before the 2am news on [...]