the real world: jaffa
imagine this- six strangers (3 arab, 3 jewish) picked to live in a house, volunteer in non-profits, youth groups and community organizations around the country and maybe have a couple hours of their lives taped (if some happens to have a video camera). but unlike mtv's version, the past 4 seasons stayed in the same house. this years season is moving to a new house, but it wasnt ready in time so they spent their first three weeks in the old "commune." they moved out this week, leaving behind 4 years and 3 weeks worth of dirt, junk and colorful paint on walls, which had to be taken care of before turning the key over to the ed-like landlord.
no, this is not where i am living, but it is one of the main programs of Sadaka Reut: "one year of life for coexistence," a leadership program for 6-8 high school graduates. so really, its not that much like the real world at all, but i cant help but make the comparison. and this scenario is quite real; a good part of my week was devoted to scrubbing, scraping, painting and cleaning the walls and floors of this house. it was tiring work, but a good bonding experience and i feel like i know the six volunteers much better now that we've cleaned the grime off a house together.
on my housing front- i did find an apartment this week. but unfortunately i cant move in for another week so my vagabonding will continue. at least i have some great friends who've graciously shared their beds, couches, towels, kitchens and even underwear with me over the past 2.5 weeks. despite the wonderful hospitality, its been really frustrating not having a place of my own. i've started to create a life for myself (complete with work, friends, ultimate frisbee with the 'holylanders,' and oom kalthoum tribute concerts) and a home is the only thing missing. but it does feel better at least knowing there is a definite end date to my nomadic days.
other than that, i still stumble over clumsy hebrew words that i know i know, but my speaking and understanding are both improving every day. its been harder than i hoped to practice arabic. i catch a lot of words, but just cant get a grasp on the dialectical differences. that too will come with time, i hope.
annie is planning on joining me in tel aviv tonight for a healthy dose of secular israeli living. last weekend i got to see her and adler and their new place in jerusalem. i'm sure i will return soon for more of the holy, "belly button," city. but for now, i'm feeling really good about my decision to be in jaffa and anxiously counting down the days until i can say goodbye to 40+ minute bus rides and move into my sweet apartment (details soon to come).
imagine this- six strangers (3 arab, 3 jewish) picked to live in a house, volunteer in non-profits, youth groups and community organizations around the country and maybe have a couple hours of their lives taped (if some happens to have a video camera). but unlike mtv's version, the past 4 seasons stayed in the same house. this years season is moving to a new house, but it wasnt ready in time so they spent their first three weeks in the old "commune." they moved out this week, leaving behind 4 years and 3 weeks worth of dirt, junk and colorful paint on walls, which had to be taken care of before turning the key over to the ed-like landlord.
no, this is not where i am living, but it is one of the main programs of Sadaka Reut: "one year of life for coexistence," a leadership program for 6-8 high school graduates. so really, its not that much like the real world at all, but i cant help but make the comparison. and this scenario is quite real; a good part of my week was devoted to scrubbing, scraping, painting and cleaning the walls and floors of this house. it was tiring work, but a good bonding experience and i feel like i know the six volunteers much better now that we've cleaned the grime off a house together.
on my housing front- i did find an apartment this week. but unfortunately i cant move in for another week so my vagabonding will continue. at least i have some great friends who've graciously shared their beds, couches, towels, kitchens and even underwear with me over the past 2.5 weeks. despite the wonderful hospitality, its been really frustrating not having a place of my own. i've started to create a life for myself (complete with work, friends, ultimate frisbee with the 'holylanders,' and oom kalthoum tribute concerts) and a home is the only thing missing. but it does feel better at least knowing there is a definite end date to my nomadic days.
other than that, i still stumble over clumsy hebrew words that i know i know, but my speaking and understanding are both improving every day. its been harder than i hoped to practice arabic. i catch a lot of words, but just cant get a grasp on the dialectical differences. that too will come with time, i hope.
annie is planning on joining me in tel aviv tonight for a healthy dose of secular israeli living. last weekend i got to see her and adler and their new place in jerusalem. i'm sure i will return soon for more of the holy, "belly button," city. but for now, i'm feeling really good about my decision to be in jaffa and anxiously counting down the days until i can say goodbye to 40+ minute bus rides and move into my sweet apartment (details soon to come).
posted by Hannah @ 7:27 PM
1 Comments:
At 3:19 AM,
Carla said…
pyramids-
you sound like you're having the time of your life, and i'm so happy for you! glad you've found some people to play ulti with - the season is going well here so far. can't wait to hear about this splendid apartment of yours.
-c-hucker
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