a balloontwister’s aliya saga

Well, its the big day… lag baomer… LAst night in rabbi goldbergers shul here in Baltimore they sang bar yochoi and made a bonfire. I debated whether I should stay for it…. well, I stayed 10 minutes and then I booked. It wasn’t so much as leaving but rather being chased. Who knew that bringing marshmellows to the bonfire would get these seemingly friendly people so upset.The toughest part of being here isn’t shabbos.. but rather being here for days where it would be a huge event in Israel. Yom hatzmuot. Election Day. Today. I made aliya to get the israeli feel of these events. Its been a bit easier this week and last for the most part. Work is good. The people are nice. Had a great shabbos in Silver Spring. They finally showed me where the men’s rom is at work. But…. Like I tell people.. Its a different ballgame in Israel. Well, while its been a bit weird today… I’ve been rather busy. I started Ulpan here in Baltimore and the teacher thinks I’m not that bad and shes confident that I can learn thew language.

I think when she sees me… I see a look in her eyes like she looking at her meal ticket. I’m paying here by the hour… so I think after 5 minutes she’s thinking… I think all my car payments are going to be taken care of by this guy. SO I’m not sure if she is being totally objective. Oh well. I actually learned a few rules…. and a few words. I wonder how you say cash cow or meal ticket…. Kartis seudah perhaps… hey, not bad….

Tonight I’m going to practice in the park softball with a new team that I may join. IF nothing else it gives me a good excuse to wear my baseball pants. Wearing it to the aguda in the morning hasn’t gone over that well.

TOmmorrow night, 7 of us are hitting the ball game at Camden Yards to watch the Red Sox beat up on the orioles. I think we’re taking the light rail from work to the game.

In Israel penina and the kids did go to netanya and had a great time. Seems like when things are going well, she’s too busy to speak to me… I only get the calls when the kids are being difficult or when they cook one of the hamsters.

Well, have a great day… and keep a safe distance from the flames… and flamers..

j