Thursday, 5 November 2009

What I love about Israel


The food. Well actually, the humous. I cannot open a tub of humous without finishing it. What do they put in it that makes it so damn good? And they have this new thing in restaurants where you can have an entire meal of humous. You get a large soup bowl with tonnes of humous on the bottom, warm crushed chickpeas with a yummy sauce on top, all drowned in olive oil and sprinkled with parsley, paprika and red onions. Now that is holy.

The drinks. These guys make fresh lemonade like nowhere else in the world. And they add fresh mint leaves to help you reach even closer to heaven. It is my favourite drink in the whole wide world. It is even better than the one I used to get in Sydney at the Easter Show. With drinks this good, who needs alcohol?















The diversity. Every face looks different and tells a different story. It is exhilarating. There are Christian monks roaming around in brown cloaks, Arab women at the marketplace wearing brightly coloured headscarves, and religious Jews hurriedly walking to yeshiva.

The absurd. I am learning more Hebrew talking with Arab Israelis than with Jewish Israelis. And the only place where I can buy a mobile phone recharge card is at the lollypop shop. Lollypop shops are also the place people buy cigarettes. Go figure. (And no, mum and dad, I have not taken up smoking again!)

And the everyday. While Israel has plenty of quirks, in general, people are getting on with life. They have been warm and friendly, and it is super easy to get around. A welcome relief, amidst an otherwise tough journey.

56 days to go…

p.s. I heard some people were having problems commenting. I have now changed the settings so it should be okay now ….don’t hold back!

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5 comments:

  1. Unknown5 November 2009 at 23:56

    Didnt you notice that on the issue of Hummous there is an ongoing debate and controversy as where its better prepared - in the Arab or the Jewish domain....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6 November 2009 at 05:21

    Enjoying your experiences vicariously!!
    Love,
    Caryll.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10 November 2009 at 00:36

    What I love about Carin

    Hair
    Laugh
    Generosity
    Constant questioning
    Food
    Honesty
    Love

    x x x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous10 November 2009 at 09:59

    Hi!
    Everyone was drinking that Lemonade when I was there in the summer.... there'a a name for it but I can't remember what it is.
    Nads xox

    ReplyDelete
  5. Phil29 November 2009 at 09:46

    The "new thing in restaurants where you can have an entire meal of humous" is an old dish called masabuquah (spelling is entirely up to your imagination).

    When you get home you will go through hummus withdrawal so I am including below a recipe from a Palestinian friend:

    ============================================

    Soak overnight ½ kilo (1.1 pounds) large garbanzos (chick peas)*.
    Boil 2-3 hours with 1 tsp. baking soda skimming foam as needed.
    Blend beans with tahina, 2 cloves crushed garlic, juice from one
    lemon, and a handful of parsley and cilantro. Add water for desired
    consistency, and salt al gusto.

    Serve with extra virgin olive oil and zatar. Wipe with pita.

    *For those who are in a hurry or want to conserve energy, use pre-cooked canned beans.

    Enjoy, Phil

    ReplyDelete

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