A girl’s right to shoes
As Carrie from Sex and the City says, a girl has a right to shoes. So how come I couldn’t find a single pair in my size at Jerusalem’s biggest mall.
I was on a mission to find no-heeled, moderately comfortable black shoes under 300 shekels to wear to many social networking events this month (Deva, idrink, and wordcamp). Not an easy feat (ha).
I went to many stores and didn’t see anything I liked, because there’s basically 2 options- platform or wide Israeli style or some combination of the two. Things looked up when I entered Gazith and mustered up the courage to try on the sexiest shoes I might possibly ever own. They were perfect for under jeans, a decent price, and most important – no heel. (the boot featured here).
So, when the salesman asked for my size, Continue reading this entry »
Lighters with a little light humor
One of the best ways to start your day is with a free newspaper delivered to your door. It all started about a month ago when the newspaper, Israel Today, appeared at my door step with no strings attached. At first I thought there was a mistake. Then I noticed all my neighbors had them too. Since then the paper continues to be my favorite part of the morning, a Hebrew challenge and taste into the news of real Israelis- no offense to Jerusalem Post readers. Continue reading this entry »
Much love for the Choco in a bag
Many people forget what an innovative country Israel can be. I am here to help you remember.
There is no doubt that Israel is the capital for high tech, after all you can’t scan Janglo without seeing a JOBOPP in the tech industry. In fact Israel invents big important military stuff that other countries buy from us all the time! Even the holy city, Jerusalem, is trendy with wireless internet throughout downtown. You know what that means; Facebook, YouTube and email can all be accessed on a park bench! Continue reading this entry »
Our first real fan!
Going through my RSS feeds just now, I saw that the title of Baka Diary post today is “To” and “To” in Hebrew; and The Big Felafel and was obviously intrigued. Is getting giddy about these things acceptable for my online persona? I am having trouble understanding what Facebook Rebecca or blogging Rebecca can get away with vs. real-world Rebecca. Thank you for the kind words…
…..On another note, I took up Rebecca’s invitation and went to her and Molly’s blog, The Big Felafel (http://www.thebigfelafel.com). Listen up, everybody– READ THIS BLOG! . This is the blog I wanted to/wished I could have written about life in Israel. This is the best new blog (in English) in Israel, and may turn out to be the BEST blog in the Anglo community.
Why can’t I write like this? We won’t even talk about amazing graphics, links, etc…..
Check it out!
I first wrote about Baka Diary in this post. For more good reading, check out the Baka Diary blog. Did I make it to the blogroll?
So you think you know Hebrew, watch this
After ulpan, the real Hebrew proficiency exam should entail watching funny TV shows like Hayisraelim and Ktzarim and seeing if you laugh at all the right places. No scantrons. No multiple choice. Just laughs. You can practice for this non-existent exam by checking out the Reshet Video Machine. This all-powerful video machine has many many Hebrew TV shows to choose from and loads incredibly fast. The best part – if you don’t get the jokes the first time around, you can watch an episode over and over and over again, and no one will know.
A little explanation about HaYisraelim. The show is composed of 5 or 6 skits that appear in every episode, but with a new twist. My favorite ones are the skits with the prime minister, the arsim in the mall, the worker who talks trash about her coworkers, the felafel stand, the couple with the baby, and the psychologist. The show has 3 main guys who play a variety of roles. I like to figure out which one is which character, but they are so good it’s hard to keep track.
If you come across more funny shows on the video machine, please share.
(Thanks Miriam for telling me about the site)
All purpose Shabbat Elevator
Thanks to Life in Israel for making me crack up… I think this video clip is from the Israeli TV show, Ktzarim (shorts.. as in short skits, not the short pants). Unfortunately, the quality is not so great.
Phone numbers and links for internet providers in Israel
It’s happened plenty of times by now. Feelings of helplessness and frustration start to take over as I realize the Internet stopped working and am all too aware of how dependent I am on it. Especially since I mostly work from home. But, no matter how much I disconnect the wires, reconnect, restart, repair, dance around doing the please-please-I’m-begging-you-to-work dance, there comes a point when the Internet refuses to cooperate and goes on strike to show solidarity with the teachers.
I know that as soon as I pick up the phone to call Netvision, the internet will start working, because that’s what happened before. As soon as my router/modem/wireless (who can remember the difference) hears Mr. Tech Support at Netvision, it shapes up and suddenly works. But I decided to pay extra attention this time so I could imitate the tech support’s soothing voice and avoid calling back ever again. And I noticed tapping on the keyboard. And tech support man confirmed my suspicions by saying he reconnected my internet. So apparently its not just the voice. As soon as I call, they identify my phone number and press the little button that says “Resume Rebecca’s internet, practical joke over for today” Is this normal? Are people calling all the time for this ‘reboot’?
Here’s some helpful info about internet providers in Israel (so I can keep it handy too). I have the Hot/Netvision setup with no dialler. I went through Netvision who organized the setup process with Hot. I did some research before selecting an internet provider, but they all ended up being roughly the same price. I’ve heard the good, bad, and ugly about each provider. So, if you’re just starting out and looking to pick an internet provider, the most effective method is to close your eyes, spin your finger around the screen and see which provider it lands on.
Netvision: *3031 or 1800-300-301
Barak: *013 or 1800.013.013
Actcom: 1800-300-123
Bezeq: 1800-014-014
Internet Gold(Smile): *2330 or 072-200-3600
Golden Lines: 1801-012-012
Hot: *6900
Conda-poo-poo and the peace flu
I always know when Condoleezza Rice, or as I refer to her- Conda-poo-poo, is in town. While she has a lovely stay at Jerusalem’s most quality hotel, the David Citadel, the rest of us suffer with traffic jams, road blocks and an outbreak of the peace flu.
Conda-poo-poo isn’t afraid to talk about peace but she sure is terrified about traveling in Israel alone. She has her usual American posse as well as the added dozens of security guards, road barriers and the finest secret service agents Israel has to offer. Continue reading this entry »
How I know I live in a Second world country
Have you gone shopping in Israel. I’m not talking about being a tourist and buying a pair of Tevas to help Israel’s economy- but you still bargain because you know you can. I am talking about going to the supermarket with your grocery list half in Hebrew and half in English, comparing prices that are not even labeled correctly and standing in a line that never moves.
Israel’s education system: 3 hours a day is sufficient
As most people returned to a normal workweek after the never ending Sukkot holiday, the teachers in my “little sister“‘s school in Jerusalem have decided that 3 hours a day for the next 3 months will give kids a decent education. You guessed it, the teachers are on strike again leaving kids to figure out what to do past 11am.
This is eerily similar to what happened during Pesach (Passover) time, when vacation from school extended for another 3 weeks, leaving my little sister again with nothing to do for well over a month. Is this really happening? Who will want to move to Israel and raise their children in a place where school is only an afterthought, an optional activity during the day.
I’ve heard that teachers earn a salary that can’t possibly afford them housing and food, something like 2-3,000 shekels a month – 24,000-36,000 shekels a year, less than $9,000 a year!!!!! The average salary in Israel is somewhere around 7,000 shekels a month and teachers are making less than half!
And here’s what the Finance Minister has to say, in true Israeli fashion of not wanting to give in, “there would be no extra money for teachers… since a reform agreement had already signed with the Ministry of Education, there was no room for additional budgets”.
I’m sorry, but a cute owl with a green genie lamp (?) in your logo just isn’t going to cut it.
The Big Felafel 
