Are we on the same planet?

Bridges 2 Israel Israel Ramble letters  May 31 2012  In This Issue Lake kineret corner Efrat in the background. The photo taken today from a winery/. restaurant in the Judea area Visit Our Sponsor Well, it is not really my car, but I thought it will look good. This is a lovely little restaurant inside a winery, the vineyards are right next to it Quick Links    Previous Israel Rambles letters  Quick Links  previous Israel Rambles Our Sponsors Our Synagogue You are invited to join services at our Synagogue any time  see details Cantor - Boaz Pnini Greetings,  I am in Israel now, something I cannot say about my language, which are still lingering somewhere through the world airports trying to find their way to me. The radio at my parents' home is droning in the background spewing all kinds of local and global horrors of the day. There is no much I can do about it, the noise or the horrors. But I can try spreading some more positive vibes of the holy land.     When I am here all is the same and yet it is different. I am still trying to get my bearings here. Waking up at sun rise, walking up the hills in Efrat to see the sunrise and the vast vistas of the Judean hills, one thing I could not find was a loose brunch to use as a walking stick, I walked all through the place and could not find even one. Why a stick is so important you may rightly ask, well, it really helps me to connect with the place which feels so different from Seattle.     The taxi driver who took me from the airport was from the Ukraine, driving with him was as scary as flying through a thunder storm just a day before landing in Philadelphia. He told me he has been in Israel for 14 years but still do not feel at home here. It was not easy for him starting in a whole new place where he did not know the people or the language. His name was of course.. Alex.     The best thing of my first day in Israel, yesterday, was simply carrying my 1 year old niece, who was already in her princes outfit ready for the Bat Mitzvah party. Walking with her inside the landscape of my Kibbutz childhood, my soul was in heaven if only for a few moments, until the little princessa has decided crying was more of her thing.    All in all, I am not sure where I am yet, I know it is the same planet, but it sure feels different. Almost like being catapulted into a whole different reality. Parachuting into a place where social mores are totally different. Think "My Greek fat wedding" and you would surely be able to imagine it.     If ever you have felt all is the same but completely different you may have an idea how awkward it feels even to write this.    Shabbat Shalom,  From Israel,  Boaz Pnini,  Bridges 2 Israel PS. Few hours later, almost out of the blue, my luggage reappeared at my parents' home by a special delivery from the airport.  Lake kineret corner   The kineret level started going down, about 1 centimeter a week. It is still almost 1 meter above last year pick level. Every centimeter represent 1.7 million cubic meter of water. The weather is still pleasant in Israel, around 70 or 80 Fahrenheit.  A view of Ela'azar from my parents home Please feel free to forward  Israel Ramble letters to your friends and family and anyone who may be interested. You may use the FORWARD link below. Thanks, Boaz Pnini, Bridges 2 Israel LLC

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