From 10,000 Lakes to the Mediterranean Sea
On Sunday, August 23rd, I embarked on the journey of a lifetime! For those who I have not yet had the chance to tell, I am participating in Destination Israel's Fast Track Internship Program in Tel Aviv, Israel where I will be living and working for the next year! I will be living by Sarona Market and the Tel Aviv Fashion Mall, where the city noises blare and people watching is impeccable! So here's the scoop -- I left Minnesota on Sunday evening to fly two and a half hours to New York where I met up with my quarantine (בידוד/bidud) roommate, Ellie. We then boarded our flight, cozied up in our seats (with masks on of course), and flew 10 hours to Tel Aviv! The flight wasn't full, but wasn't empty either, and flight attendants had to constantly remind passengers in front and behind of us to wear their masks. We slept nearly the entire flight, and woke up just in time to see Tel Aviv arise from the horizon. Excitedly, we watched the ground get closer and our hearts were racing. As we touched down, the whole plane began clapping and cheering as we heard "Welcome to Israel" over the intercom.
From the plane we passed through border control, temperature checks (you know, because COVID) and into baggage claim where Ellie and I picked up our (I'm not even kidding) seven suitcases, and her guitar and longboard, which we somehow piled onto two carts and into one very large taxi. After a short ride, we arrived at our בידוד/bidud (quarantine) apartment in Tel Aviv where we met our flatmates, Jai, Ari P, and Ari BZ! For the next two weeks, we are living in an apartment attached to the Tel Aviv Fashion Mall that has a large outdoor patio and overlooks a beautiful courtyard. As we settled in, our apartment was filled with the golden hue of the setting sun. I lightly unpacked, made up my bed, and hung out with my flatmates for a little while before Facetiming my adorable Mom (hi Mom!!) and loving boyfriend, Daniel. It was so exciting to finally be able to talk to Daniel from the same time zone for the first time in eight months! We have been long distance for the the past 13 months, seeing each other once in person during that time, when I traveled to ישראל/Israel this past winter. Ending our nights together, even over FaceTime, is something I've been waiting to do for so long.
Note to self: calendar this as a happy moment!
It's amazing to me how normal it feels to be back in ישראל/Israel, it's almost unexplainable (but I'll try my best!) I am so thrilled and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to live in a place where I can be my truest self - a proud Jewish woman and Zionist - without hesitation, explanation, or justification of my identity or beliefs. I feel at home here in ישראל/Israel, and I can't wait to keep exploring and learning, and to share my adventures with you, my loving and supportive family and friends!
XO, Jules
Tel Aviv, Israel - View from my bedroom window
