I haven't been able to add any post's for a couple of weeks due to technical problems. Now we're back "on-the-air",
Since the main focus of this blog is to tell about real daily life in Israel, this will be a recap of some of the events of the last coupole of weeks, both personal and general.
Rites of Passage
We had two uniquely Israeli family rites-of-passage events in the past three weeks.
Last week our grandson went for "Gi'yus" which is the term used for the process of being drafted into military service. In ISrael all eighteen year olds are required to serve (with some exemptions). Males go for three years, females for two.
So our grandson, Yahal, reported to the "Bakum", as the intake point is called, with two parents, two grandparents and about nine friends in tow. Patiently waiting to be called, in the forecourt of the building, were many others with their families. It's fairly quiet with subdued chatter. Then the loudspeaker rings out telling eveyone whose name appears on the electronic bulletin board that it's time to go.
Last minute hugs and kisses, then, videos rolling and cameras, clicking all proceed to the waiting bus. It pulls out with waves and tears, drives around the back of the building and discharges all the new soldiers into the other side of the building!
Obviously they learned long ago that this is the only way to get parents to part with their kids.
So we parted from Yahal. That was Monday morning. Friday afternoon he was home for the Sabbath! It won't happen every week unless he's stationed close by. But for the first week it's generally the way it's done here.
The other uniquely Israeli "rite-of-passage occurs after the young ones have finished their military service. It's called the "Tiyul" (trip or tour).
Most young Israelis take anywhere from three months to a year after their military service traveling abroad. The Far East and South America are the favoured places these days, no doubt due in part to being fairly affordable.
So our grandaughter, Maayan, accompanied by three girl friends, took off for a year three weeks ago to travel South America for the next nine months or so. Starting in Argentina, they have already been in Chile and expect to be in Rio for Carnival. Then up to Mexico, the USA and home.
So the majorityof Israeli young people only start their university studies about between age 21 and 22. However first degree requires only three years rather the four in the USA.
Elections
Elections will be held in Israel in February for the Knesset (parliament) which will determine the next Prime Minister and government. There'll be no big surprises since we recycle our leaders. Netanyahu (Bibi) seems like the favourite to get the top job though he'll probably have to share some power with Tzipi Livni, leader of Kadima.
Unlike the USA, elections here are a fairly quick affair. There's about three weeks of serious campaigning with TV, Radio and all the other paraphernalia that makes the printing industry happy. Then it's all over and the new government is in power.
Great Restaurants & Wines
Anyone who has not been to Israel in the past five years will not believe the number of great restaurants here today. In the past month or so we've discovered three news ones. I'm going to do a separate directory of all the restaurants we like just in case anyone is visiting.
It's the same with wines. Israel has many new boutique vineyards with world-class wines. I'll do a separate posting on that subject shortly.
Will continue this post later. This evening we are off to a party at the Irish Embassy for the annual Chabuka/Christmas party.
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