Here we are in Israel, in a place I'd never thought I'd have the chance to visit, let alone live in. This is Josh's 4th year in Israel and while I have visited him often, this is my first year living here. It is quiet an experience, far different from just visiting. Though I have only been here a mere 3 days, life is already different; and maybe that is because I am seeing the world a bit differently now that I am carrying a child. Let me give you some examples:
I know I should be more careful of water consumption in foreign lands, but often I default to the water in the faucet (after asking if it's safe). I have drank water from Israeli taps plenty of times, but now that I am pregnant, I can't even consider doing it..it's the craziest thing.
I love trying new foods; in fact it is my favorite thing about different cultures. Food in other countries is not like it is in the US. In the US we use food to gather family a few times a year for holidays but basically we see it as a way to sustain life...in many other countries, families gather around the table weekly. Food is not just for nourishment of the body, but of the heart, soul, mind and being of a person. There are no 'quick' meals in Israel, France, Poland, or Netherlands (countries we have experience social gatherings). In fact, there is no such thing as 'grab a quick coffee'. You are expected to sit, rest, enjoy, converse and ease your mind over a cup of coffee. Needless to say, food is pretty important....and NEVER think of turning something down when it's offered to you UNLESS you have an allergy (which they still won't understand). However, I think I may have an issue with this for a few months...I have not eaten much meat since being pregnant...and last night when cooking chicken I thought it was 'suspect' ha...I never imagined I'd be judging chicken..I have had this type of chicken (and yes it's different from the states) plenty of times..but like everything, I find myself questioning it. I am trying to get over this fear being that it is the Holy High Season in Israel and there is a holiday nearly every week/weekend from sept 30th until late October I believe. I will be put to the test in 4 days on Shabbot.
My latest concern, the massive jets that fly daily over my house and hearing any siren that sounds. As I have visited here and my husband has lived here during the heightened moments of war we have always felt safe. When visiting I have always created a 'plan' in case of attack but for the most part, after creating the plan I put it at the back of my mind. Life here is not at all what the media portrays. The entire country is not ravaged by bombs and war as the news would have you to believe. It is a very small area that lives this reality almost daily.
Oddly enough, even knowing this, and living even further away from that small area, I find myself nervous at the sound of sirens and low flying planes. On the first morning I was awaken by the sound of what seemed to be 10 fighter jets flying overhead...I laid still in bed and prayed, "Lord, if this is an air strike please spare the three of us". I decided it must be 'no thing', because Josh didn't even move. I tapped him to be sure that he heard it and he said, 'yea' and fell right back to sleep. That told me, 'its no thing but a chicken wing' as my best friend would say. Still this morning, I couldn't help but feel the same feeling when I heard them fly overhead again...this time, shortly after the fly over I heard a quick siren, that sent my heart racing! But again, it was nothing...see I think pregnancy is making me crazy! Regardless, I will be speaking with Dov (our neighbor who greeted us with a plate of desserts yesterday) about the evacuation plan of the town, closest shelters, and to ask what the heck these planes are doing every morning! I know, it may be a little extreme...but now that I am in 'mommy mode' nothing seems too extreme! Oh, I will be discussing safety drills today with Josh and he will laugh, I'm sure I will write about his reaction tomorrow!
As you can see, life in Israel is much different for me now as a resident expat versus just being a visitor. I over analyze everything now, it seems like it is becoming a part of my already obsessive nature. Until next time, God bless!
I know I should be more careful of water consumption in foreign lands, but often I default to the water in the faucet (after asking if it's safe). I have drank water from Israeli taps plenty of times, but now that I am pregnant, I can't even consider doing it..it's the craziest thing.
I love trying new foods; in fact it is my favorite thing about different cultures. Food in other countries is not like it is in the US. In the US we use food to gather family a few times a year for holidays but basically we see it as a way to sustain life...in many other countries, families gather around the table weekly. Food is not just for nourishment of the body, but of the heart, soul, mind and being of a person. There are no 'quick' meals in Israel, France, Poland, or Netherlands (countries we have experience social gatherings). In fact, there is no such thing as 'grab a quick coffee'. You are expected to sit, rest, enjoy, converse and ease your mind over a cup of coffee. Needless to say, food is pretty important....and NEVER think of turning something down when it's offered to you UNLESS you have an allergy (which they still won't understand). However, I think I may have an issue with this for a few months...I have not eaten much meat since being pregnant...and last night when cooking chicken I thought it was 'suspect' ha...I never imagined I'd be judging chicken..I have had this type of chicken (and yes it's different from the states) plenty of times..but like everything, I find myself questioning it. I am trying to get over this fear being that it is the Holy High Season in Israel and there is a holiday nearly every week/weekend from sept 30th until late October I believe. I will be put to the test in 4 days on Shabbot.
My latest concern, the massive jets that fly daily over my house and hearing any siren that sounds. As I have visited here and my husband has lived here during the heightened moments of war we have always felt safe. When visiting I have always created a 'plan' in case of attack but for the most part, after creating the plan I put it at the back of my mind. Life here is not at all what the media portrays. The entire country is not ravaged by bombs and war as the news would have you to believe. It is a very small area that lives this reality almost daily.
Oddly enough, even knowing this, and living even further away from that small area, I find myself nervous at the sound of sirens and low flying planes. On the first morning I was awaken by the sound of what seemed to be 10 fighter jets flying overhead...I laid still in bed and prayed, "Lord, if this is an air strike please spare the three of us". I decided it must be 'no thing', because Josh didn't even move. I tapped him to be sure that he heard it and he said, 'yea' and fell right back to sleep. That told me, 'its no thing but a chicken wing' as my best friend would say. Still this morning, I couldn't help but feel the same feeling when I heard them fly overhead again...this time, shortly after the fly over I heard a quick siren, that sent my heart racing! But again, it was nothing...see I think pregnancy is making me crazy! Regardless, I will be speaking with Dov (our neighbor who greeted us with a plate of desserts yesterday) about the evacuation plan of the town, closest shelters, and to ask what the heck these planes are doing every morning! I know, it may be a little extreme...but now that I am in 'mommy mode' nothing seems too extreme! Oh, I will be discussing safety drills today with Josh and he will laugh, I'm sure I will write about his reaction tomorrow!
As you can see, life in Israel is much different for me now as a resident expat versus just being a visitor. I over analyze everything now, it seems like it is becoming a part of my already obsessive nature. Until next time, God bless!
So happy to hear how careful you are about your safety and of your baby-in-waiting. So sorry to say that it is not just a small area in danger in Israel and beyond its permanent borders. While we care about all humanity, lives of Jews, Arabs (Palestinians), and millions of others in Israel and beyond the Green Line are subject to chronic attack and violence — specifically in Israel's southern towns, east Jerusalem, and beyond the Green Line. We don't hear about all this in the media (same secrecy as in the USA) yet security except in specific spots is a dream we work for, not yet live in. Stay informed, ask questions, develop good relations with your neighbors and associates, and keep working for peace and social justice. And get some good earplugs to help ensure good sleep!
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