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Hi everyone,
It has been a long time... hope everyone is well and happy.
I left India end of February, went back to London for a short visit of 3 weeks and am in Israel right now! I don't know
how long I will stay here for, but I am enjoying it quite a lot. I have some projects that are not yet materialized and I
thought of having a go at the Holy Land... it is a long story... I will tell each of you as we resume contact!
India was a wonderful experience and I miss it already! However, I have to say that I like Tel Aviv a lot. I had been
here and in Jerusalem before (1997), but now it's different because I am with locals and, of course, you get to know the real
place!
I am near the beach, which is wonderful and the weather is just perfect (the most pleasant weather I have ever experienced...
and it seems that it is like this all year round... a little too hot in the summer, I heard... well, I can live with that...)
It´s funny because I have been saying that I would like to live in a place near the ocean, with good weather, cosmopolitan
and at the same time small and cozy... I just forgot to say: "no bombs, please!!".
Seriously, now... I do not feel unsafe here. One of my favorite characteristics of Tel Aviv, actually, is the "social
violence-free environment"! It's a paradox, I know, but it is wonderful to be able to wander the streets late at night
and not be worried about bandits and thieves around... or walk in a market or crowded place without the need of holding tightly
your handbag!
The violence here is of another kind, obviously.
Notwithstanding, people in Tel Aviv seem oblivious to the almost daily bloodshed. They live in a kind of bubble, separated
from all the atrocities happening all over the country (Jerusalem is only 40 minutes away)!
I am not unfamiliar with the "bubble syndrome", actually. In Brazil we do the same with the social violence...
we end up forgetting about all the mayhem surrounding us and pretend it has nothing to do with us!
People are nicer and friendlier than I expected also. Many of us have this stereotype of rude and aggressive people. The
Israelis we meet in South America and Asia (all around the word, really... they travel so much!) do nothing but reinforce
this image. The Israelis I have been meeting here are rather different, though: very hospitable and open-minded people, fun
loving and carefree.
Another unexpected feature of the city is the closeness among the families and friends. I find the Tel Avivians (don't
know in other parts of Israel) quite conservative regarding marriage and parenthood. But in a very balanced and healthy way!
It seems that they do work on making their relations lovable and lasting, respecting each other's individualities but at the
same time, compromising when necessary! It is extremely refreshing considering the state of the family/marriage institution
nowadays! It is so inspirational to realize that there still exist functional and happy families! And to experience this in
a most unexpected place! Excuse my generalization here and bare with my pretentiousness but I do see things in these matters
in a rather cynical way (until now, at least). See...we have the compulsory, arranged marriages in the East (seen as something
unthinkable and unacceptable to the western minds and hearts) or the usually individualistic, egocentric and uncompromising
ones in the West (mainly in Europe and North America). Even in countries where the families are the foundation of the society
(I can give the example of Brazil), the divorces abound and there is an unhealthy attachment and over-protection to family
members (many times detrimental to one's growth and individuality). Well, it is so good when we have our faith restored in
something isn't it? Moreover, when we realize that we have been a little too narrow-minded and biased! And we are able to
change our views - for better!!!
PLease, keep in touch.
Big kiss in your beautiful hearts,
Love and peace, lots of it, always
Jackie
Ps.: to parents and friends who are worried with the repercussions of the assassination of the leader of Hamas, once more,
in Tel Aviv, things are kind of cool... don't forget that I have a special relationship with terrorism attacks and bombs also!
I must be immune by now!
In the Red Sea, Egypt. Arik is the responsible for the artwork! :)
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