Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Part II: The Holy Land
Monday, August 9
In the morning, we visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. The cafe was split by dairy and meat, keeping it entirely kosher. My friend Lauren and I went to the Jewish quarter of the market afterwards and we each bought our parents a bottle of wine. That evening a lot of us went to the Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts Festival August 2-14, 2010. It was a blast! We Aviv Geffen perform, an Israeli rock singer, even though we had no clue what he was saying. The festival had international food, jewelry, gifts, in addition to all the Israeli booths.To top it off, the entire festival was only $12 bucks! I have NEVER been to a music festival in the U.S. for less than $50, so that rocked.
Tuesday, August 10
We learned SO much about the war and politics today. We drove around with IDF Colonel, Danny Titza to look at the border between Israel and the West Bank. The majority of the border is a wire fence that is just like any other fence you might see alongside a farm. It is just lined with censors and cameras, and the concrete wall only makes up a small portion of the entire border. If you touch the fence, nothing will happen to you. Only if you try to cross fence without going through a checkpoint do things get serious or violent. We had lunch at an outdoor restaurant on top of a mountain at Gush Etzion (a settlement not yet annexed by Israel). We left there and headed to one of the 5000 discovered caves that are currently being excavated that have an affiliation with the Macabees. The caves were actually peoples homes that were self-demolished because those who lived there were told to convert, leave, or die. We mainly came across pottery and animal bones. But we went spelunking after! That was AMAZING. We actually got to go into a cave that has not been excavated yet and crawl through the corridors and holes. For dinner, we had an authentic, homemade Kurdish meal. The man who hosted us was an artist too. He made art out of scrap metal and old houseware items.
Wednesday, August 11
We left Jerusalem and headed to our hotel on the beach in Tel Aviv, where we stayed for the rest of the trip.
We first ventured to an IDF base where we met with an elite unit that disarms explosives on ground level. We also saw the real weapons confiscated during the flotilla incident earlier this year. For those who don't recall the incident, it involved activists trying to rid of an Israeli blockade in efforts to deliver aid supplies to Gaza. Israeli soldiers expected the outcome to be a lot less severe - they approached the flotilla with paintball guns from helicopters, but unfortunately were greeted with knifes and makeshift weapons. We were informed at the base that some of who attacked the Israeli soldiers were high on heroine (I believe it was that specific narcotic).
After the base we vistited a recent development called Better Place: a company that produces electric cars. We actually got to test drive them! I have never heard a car sound so quiet while driving; I couldn't even tell it was on (aside from the fact I was driving it).
Thursday, August 12
This was an interesting day. We actually met with an IDF colonel named Ben Gruber who took us to an area less than a mile from Gaza and explained threats, strategic targets that Gaza has the option of hitting with rockets, and the history of rockets launched at the Southern part of Israel. Every few kilometers, there were bomb shelters on the sidewalks for people to use when rockets are fired. We visited a place where children can play indoors that is designed to act as a large bomb shelter with the perks of child-friendly activities.
We headed over to a part of the Negev Dessert where we met a man who told us about a project started where people are actually living in the desert. Roni and his three friends had the dream to make the desert liveable since they were 17 years old. He told us that the project came into existence through faith and taking the first step.
We had a spectacular dinner in Old City Beersheba where we were actually able to individually choose what we wanted to eat. The best part was the restaurant had hot chocolate cake - phenomenal!
Friday, August 13
In the morning we went to Independence Hall and learned the history of the day Israel declared its independence. After sitting in the actual chairs that were occupied by the men who were there to witness this declaration, we ventured over to the Nachalat Binyamin Artists Market. All of the local artists were selling their eclectic and beautiful work. We were on our own the remainder of the afternoon until Shabbat Dinner back at our hotel. After Shabbat, a group of us took a 30 minute walk to Mike's Place, a lively jazz bar. The night ended perfectly with a leisurely stroll along the beach.
Saturday, August 14
The last day.
We spent a while at the beach in the morning; it was the first day where we actually slept in past 8am (and that was the latest we ever slept). I think we were all in denial and tried to prolong the day to avoid the inevitable return to the U.S. We had a long lunch and one last site to see. Tel Azeka: one of the 5 largest tank museums in the world contains the Wall of Tears, which is an artistic memorial constructed with four high walls that have water trickling down the sides as if the walls were crying in rememberence of the lost soldiers. We closed the trip by heading to Latrun to overlook the valley where David killed Goliath. We prayed, talked, and reflected on the trip before going to our final supper. The last meal together was wonderful; the food, the speeches, the laughter - all will forever me engrained in my memory.
I am literally itching to return to that precious land of Israel. I hope that there will be means to provide a way to return in the future, but I am grateful and blessed that I was able to experience it at all.
In the morning, we visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. The cafe was split by dairy and meat, keeping it entirely kosher. My friend Lauren and I went to the Jewish quarter of the market afterwards and we each bought our parents a bottle of wine. That evening a lot of us went to the Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts Festival August 2-14, 2010. It was a blast! We Aviv Geffen perform, an Israeli rock singer, even though we had no clue what he was saying. The festival had international food, jewelry, gifts, in addition to all the Israeli booths.To top it off, the entire festival was only $12 bucks! I have NEVER been to a music festival in the U.S. for less than $50, so that rocked.
Tuesday, August 10
We learned SO much about the war and politics today. We drove around with IDF Colonel, Danny Titza to look at the border between Israel and the West Bank. The majority of the border is a wire fence that is just like any other fence you might see alongside a farm. It is just lined with censors and cameras, and the concrete wall only makes up a small portion of the entire border. If you touch the fence, nothing will happen to you. Only if you try to cross fence without going through a checkpoint do things get serious or violent. We had lunch at an outdoor restaurant on top of a mountain at Gush Etzion (a settlement not yet annexed by Israel). We left there and headed to one of the 5000 discovered caves that are currently being excavated that have an affiliation with the Macabees. The caves were actually peoples homes that were self-demolished because those who lived there were told to convert, leave, or die. We mainly came across pottery and animal bones. But we went spelunking after! That was AMAZING. We actually got to go into a cave that has not been excavated yet and crawl through the corridors and holes. For dinner, we had an authentic, homemade Kurdish meal. The man who hosted us was an artist too. He made art out of scrap metal and old houseware items.
Wednesday, August 11
We left Jerusalem and headed to our hotel on the beach in Tel Aviv, where we stayed for the rest of the trip.
We first ventured to an IDF base where we met with an elite unit that disarms explosives on ground level. We also saw the real weapons confiscated during the flotilla incident earlier this year. For those who don't recall the incident, it involved activists trying to rid of an Israeli blockade in efforts to deliver aid supplies to Gaza. Israeli soldiers expected the outcome to be a lot less severe - they approached the flotilla with paintball guns from helicopters, but unfortunately were greeted with knifes and makeshift weapons. We were informed at the base that some of who attacked the Israeli soldiers were high on heroine (I believe it was that specific narcotic).
After the base we vistited a recent development called Better Place: a company that produces electric cars. We actually got to test drive them! I have never heard a car sound so quiet while driving; I couldn't even tell it was on (aside from the fact I was driving it).
Thursday, August 12
This was an interesting day. We actually met with an IDF colonel named Ben Gruber who took us to an area less than a mile from Gaza and explained threats, strategic targets that Gaza has the option of hitting with rockets, and the history of rockets launched at the Southern part of Israel. Every few kilometers, there were bomb shelters on the sidewalks for people to use when rockets are fired. We visited a place where children can play indoors that is designed to act as a large bomb shelter with the perks of child-friendly activities.
We headed over to a part of the Negev Dessert where we met a man who told us about a project started where people are actually living in the desert. Roni and his three friends had the dream to make the desert liveable since they were 17 years old. He told us that the project came into existence through faith and taking the first step.
We had a spectacular dinner in Old City Beersheba where we were actually able to individually choose what we wanted to eat. The best part was the restaurant had hot chocolate cake - phenomenal!
Friday, August 13
In the morning we went to Independence Hall and learned the history of the day Israel declared its independence. After sitting in the actual chairs that were occupied by the men who were there to witness this declaration, we ventured over to the Nachalat Binyamin Artists Market. All of the local artists were selling their eclectic and beautiful work. We were on our own the remainder of the afternoon until Shabbat Dinner back at our hotel. After Shabbat, a group of us took a 30 minute walk to Mike's Place, a lively jazz bar. The night ended perfectly with a leisurely stroll along the beach.
Saturday, August 14
The last day.
We spent a while at the beach in the morning; it was the first day where we actually slept in past 8am (and that was the latest we ever slept). I think we were all in denial and tried to prolong the day to avoid the inevitable return to the U.S. We had a long lunch and one last site to see. Tel Azeka: one of the 5 largest tank museums in the world contains the Wall of Tears, which is an artistic memorial constructed with four high walls that have water trickling down the sides as if the walls were crying in rememberence of the lost soldiers. We closed the trip by heading to Latrun to overlook the valley where David killed Goliath. We prayed, talked, and reflected on the trip before going to our final supper. The last meal together was wonderful; the food, the speeches, the laughter - all will forever me engrained in my memory.
I am literally itching to return to that precious land of Israel. I hope that there will be means to provide a way to return in the future, but I am grateful and blessed that I was able to experience it at all.
Monday, August 23, 2010
ישראל Israel
Part I
August 2 - 8, 2010
August 2 - 8, 2010
My journey across Israel:
To make Aliyah: To make "ascent"; A basic aspect of Zionism; A crucial part of Judaism. It is to immigrate to the Holy Land of Israel, to ascend to the Promised Land; the Israelites home.
For the last two weeks I experienced the Chosen land of God. I absorbed the country's culture. My eyes were opened spiritually and my knowledge was increased politically. My heart expanded and broke for the people of Israel amidst The Middle East.
Monday, August 2
Before leaving for Israel, we met with several CUFI leaders. We also met Irving Roth, an Auschwitz Holocaust survivor. His story, easily told over 100 times, I am sure seems like the first for him each time. Rehashing those memories for our young ears to hear can only give small insight into the true feelings, sights, pain, and experiences of this man's terrors. It was a good way to start the trip because it humbled our hearts before we left for the Holy Land the following day.
Tuesday, August 3
Our group of 40 left the United States at 2:15 pm for a 10 hour flight into Ben Gurion International Airport, located in Tel Aviv. On the plane, it was incredible to see religious Jews praying during the designated prayer times, even on the plane.When we arrived, it was 7:30 am in Israel on August 4, being 7 hours later there than Newark, NJ, in the states. Our first day was packed with sites and information.
Wednesday, August 4
After brunch and an overlook of Israel, the first place on our agenda was Neot Kedumim - the place were Samson fought the Philistines (Judges 15). We also learned about a cistern and how on the 8th day of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) the Israelites start praying for rain to fill it. Israel is so agriculturally sound that it could be an autonomous country, having no need for imports or exports; but they are a water poor country. We visited Caesarea, the domicile of Pontius Pilate - the man who authorized Jesus' crucifixion. Before leaving Caesarea for Megiddo, we visited a beautiful beach. Mentioned in Revelation, Megiddo is the site where the battle of Armageddon is said to take place during the end times according to Abrahamic prophesies.
We had our first dinner in Israel at a Moshav hosted by the Aviran Family Farm. A Moshav is a community of people that share the same values, ideas, and lifestyle. They live in one area and all attend the same synagogue, send their children to the same schools, use the same grocery stores, etc. In this particular Moshav, over 80% of the 75 families are interrelated via marriage.
We spent the night in a Kibbutz in Kinneret literally right on the Sea of Galilee.
Thursday, August 5
We drove around the town of Tiberias first thing in the morning. Famous Jewish historian, Josephus, told people the area was Paradise because everything could grow there. We spent a good chunk of time at Capernaum, the place of the Sermon on the Mount. It was a beautiful area, mainly set up for tourism, but we saw the probable house of Peter. There is also a gorgeous church and monastery.
I learned that Israel is on a major fault line and they are expecting an earthquake in the relatively near future. We were informed that our bus driver is Druze - a people that split from Islam and they live in Israel as Israeli citizens. They have their own secret religion, and those that live in the Golan Heights don't want citizenship because of their family in Syria.
After we spent time in the Golan Heights, we ate at a 5 plus course meal overlooking the Sea of Galilee. I have never seen SO much food. Goodness. It was already late after the meal, but we still had a speaker talk to us about the general strategic threat to Israel: Elliot Chodoff, a political and military analyst who specializes in conflict/war on terrorism. He told us that Hamas in Gaza has children use kites to alert them when Israeli troops are coming. I hate that children have been brought into this war to such an extreme.
Friday, August 6
Shabbat: the Sabbath for the Jews. We went to the Western Wall and prayed after the Sabbath came in at sundown. It was packed. People were dancing, singing, praying and laughing. It was beautiful, holy, powerful, and intense. We had a Shabbat dinner right next to the Wall. I met a man who used to be an Atheist and is now studying to be a Rabbi. His given name is Mason, but his name after becoming religious changed to Emmanuel. He talked about how the Kosher Jewish diet is deeply rooted in spirituality, and after changing his diet his life began to change - interesting.
Earlier in the day we went "rafting" down the Jordan River. I use quotes because it was more like riding in a boat, letting the soft current pull us downstream. I went with a friend I made from Texas A&M and we discovered we had several mutual friends in common from highschool; funny how small the world is.
Saturday, August 7
Masada: the fortress constructed by Herod the Great where the infamous mass suicide took place in order to skirt a Roman siege. It is adjacent to the Dead Sea - we ventured there after Masada. I was surprised that the Dead Sea was SO hot. I couldn't stand it for long so a bunch of us played in the mud instead....good exfoliant! We had an awesome dinner yet again in Jerusalem that evening.
Sunday, August 8
In modest dressed, we spent most of the day visiting holy sites. We began at the Temple Mount, considered the holiest place on earth for Jews and the third holiest for Muslims. In the afternoon we trekked through Hezekiah's tunnel located in the City of David. It was designed as an aqueduct during a siege led by the Assyrians. What's cool is that the water still runs through it - basically, it still works. It took us about 30-45 minutes to get through and the water was up to our knees; it was freezing but so refreshing. We had dinner in the Arab quarter at a place called Sami. Apparently, the restaurant was shooting an Israeli promo for the place and filmed all of us eating there. Of course we provided diversity; it was hilarious. I went out with a few friends to downtown Jerusalem. We met some Germans and a guy from London and sat and talked til 2am. I came back with 3 boys in a taxi to our Kibbutz, but when we arrived we had a little problem....the gate was locked and it was well over 6 feet. We improvised and had to climb over and jump down on the other side. Unfortunately, one of the boys didn't make it over so gracefully...What a way to end the night!
More about the trip in Part II. August 9-14!
Wednesday, August 4
After brunch and an overlook of Israel, the first place on our agenda was Neot Kedumim - the place were Samson fought the Philistines (Judges 15). We also learned about a cistern and how on the 8th day of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) the Israelites start praying for rain to fill it. Israel is so agriculturally sound that it could be an autonomous country, having no need for imports or exports; but they are a water poor country. We visited Caesarea, the domicile of Pontius Pilate - the man who authorized Jesus' crucifixion. Before leaving Caesarea for Megiddo, we visited a beautiful beach. Mentioned in Revelation, Megiddo is the site where the battle of Armageddon is said to take place during the end times according to Abrahamic prophesies.
We had our first dinner in Israel at a Moshav hosted by the Aviran Family Farm. A Moshav is a community of people that share the same values, ideas, and lifestyle. They live in one area and all attend the same synagogue, send their children to the same schools, use the same grocery stores, etc. In this particular Moshav, over 80% of the 75 families are interrelated via marriage.
We spent the night in a Kibbutz in Kinneret literally right on the Sea of Galilee.
Thursday, August 5
We drove around the town of Tiberias first thing in the morning. Famous Jewish historian, Josephus, told people the area was Paradise because everything could grow there. We spent a good chunk of time at Capernaum, the place of the Sermon on the Mount. It was a beautiful area, mainly set up for tourism, but we saw the probable house of Peter. There is also a gorgeous church and monastery.
I learned that Israel is on a major fault line and they are expecting an earthquake in the relatively near future. We were informed that our bus driver is Druze - a people that split from Islam and they live in Israel as Israeli citizens. They have their own secret religion, and those that live in the Golan Heights don't want citizenship because of their family in Syria.
After we spent time in the Golan Heights, we ate at a 5 plus course meal overlooking the Sea of Galilee. I have never seen SO much food. Goodness. It was already late after the meal, but we still had a speaker talk to us about the general strategic threat to Israel: Elliot Chodoff, a political and military analyst who specializes in conflict/war on terrorism. He told us that Hamas in Gaza has children use kites to alert them when Israeli troops are coming. I hate that children have been brought into this war to such an extreme.
Friday, August 6
Shabbat: the Sabbath for the Jews. We went to the Western Wall and prayed after the Sabbath came in at sundown. It was packed. People were dancing, singing, praying and laughing. It was beautiful, holy, powerful, and intense. We had a Shabbat dinner right next to the Wall. I met a man who used to be an Atheist and is now studying to be a Rabbi. His given name is Mason, but his name after becoming religious changed to Emmanuel. He talked about how the Kosher Jewish diet is deeply rooted in spirituality, and after changing his diet his life began to change - interesting.
Earlier in the day we went "rafting" down the Jordan River. I use quotes because it was more like riding in a boat, letting the soft current pull us downstream. I went with a friend I made from Texas A&M and we discovered we had several mutual friends in common from highschool; funny how small the world is.
Saturday, August 7
Masada: the fortress constructed by Herod the Great where the infamous mass suicide took place in order to skirt a Roman siege. It is adjacent to the Dead Sea - we ventured there after Masada. I was surprised that the Dead Sea was SO hot. I couldn't stand it for long so a bunch of us played in the mud instead....good exfoliant! We had an awesome dinner yet again in Jerusalem that evening.
Sunday, August 8
In modest dressed, we spent most of the day visiting holy sites. We began at the Temple Mount, considered the holiest place on earth for Jews and the third holiest for Muslims. In the afternoon we trekked through Hezekiah's tunnel located in the City of David. It was designed as an aqueduct during a siege led by the Assyrians. What's cool is that the water still runs through it - basically, it still works. It took us about 30-45 minutes to get through and the water was up to our knees; it was freezing but so refreshing. We had dinner in the Arab quarter at a place called Sami. Apparently, the restaurant was shooting an Israeli promo for the place and filmed all of us eating there. Of course we provided diversity; it was hilarious. I went out with a few friends to downtown Jerusalem. We met some Germans and a guy from London and sat and talked til 2am. I came back with 3 boys in a taxi to our Kibbutz, but when we arrived we had a little problem....the gate was locked and it was well over 6 feet. We improvised and had to climb over and jump down on the other side. Unfortunately, one of the boys didn't make it over so gracefully...What a way to end the night!
More about the trip in Part II. August 9-14!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Sounds of The Sons'
Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling & Dharohar Project:
Could it get any better than this?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
SXSW 2010
As late as this is...I still feel like I should post about the incredible week of SXSW.
Bands/artists who I saw:
First Aid Kit-Swedish folk/pop teenaged-sister duo
Robert Francis-California native, early 20's, passionate indie folk music with emotional lyrics that tell of past experiences, multi-instrumentalist, producer
Surfer Blood-young band from West Palm Beach, Florida; highly distorted vox/guitars with layered guitar riffs that you can hum along to (even without lyrics)
Band of Horses-a classic indie band that I just never got the chance to see
The Uglysuit-Oklahoma boys whose music literally makes you smile and want to soak up sunshine; beautifully crafted melodies
The Smith Westerns-These guys played right after Surfer Blood and I loved them. They are teenagers who wear 80's inspired clothing (especially light wash mom jeans). Some of them have long straight hair, and the lead singer was sporting a hair clip and earrings. They also use lots of distorted guitars, but with a less beach-like feel-more of a grungy/70's inspired sound.
Spoon-Austin natives! (My hometown), I always missed them when they played a show while growing up in Austin
Broken Bells-project of James Mercer, lead singer of The Shins merged with Danger Mouse
Citizen Cope
Jakob Dylan-played with Neko Case
Diane Birch-NYC local, singer/songwriter with a jazz/soul/pop sound, influenced by that of Joni Mitchell and similar artists from the 60's/70's
Circa Survive-Anthony Green is always entertaining. I can't wait to get their new album!
The xx- British minimalist/electronic band. They honestly did not live up to my expectations. My friend and I left leaving unsatisfied and somewhat bored.
Rogue Wave
School of Seven Bells
Amazing band I keep missing that played at SXSW, Local Natives:
More on my SXSW thoughts:
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Athestic of Les Fauves
On February 26th, I tagged along by a last minute invitation to see Wild Beasts with my suite mate Fuiyi (http://pascommedesenfants.blogspot.com/) and her amazing friend Jared - he just happened to have an extra ticket!
Wild Beasts, whose name is inspired by the efflorescent period of 20th century modern artists who emphasized color in paintings, is comprised of 4 young British boys from Kendal, UK.
The frontman, Hayden Thorpe, possess a countertenor voice - one that you may not normally find in an indie rock/pop/slightly experimental band. Their sound is eccentric yet utterly intriguing; you will find yourself completely mesmerized, if you are able to see them live - (I definitely was and it was my first time actually listening to them). Tom Fleming also sings in the band, and not just as a background vocalist. His voice is deeply rich, so hearing the two voices entwined makes for an interesting blend of sound.
One song I particularly enjoyed was this video below:
"We Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues"
If you have the chance to see them live, I STRONGLY recommend it because their sound will not
make any sense unless you see them perform.
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