spring has sprung..

well, almost. the grass is rizz in tel aviv, at least. i spent last weekend there with the family, celebrating arbel’s bat-mitzvah and running out of time too quickly; it felt like a whirlwind affair, where every conversation was cut short by another 

“kisskiss-hello!-howareyou?” lead into catching up with another beloved relative..as usual, yoni is the only one with whom i spent a considerable amount of time talking to, seeing as i stayed at his apartment and bummed around with him in the off-hours between family duty. i didn’t manage to get to the beach, though i longed for it; a stroll down rothschild boulevard and a good long sit in the sun on a bench were all i could squeeze in. but no matter; i got drunk off the smell of flowers blooming and luscious spring hanging heavy in the air. 

here in tsfat, i catch a faint whiff of the cold damp earth on the early morning breeze (but the days are only getting warmer and more pleasant), and it’s enough to put a spring in my step (hah). since my bathroom is practically outside (separated by nothing but thin walls of wood, which are pine or cedar or neither (not so accurate on my tree-identification skills) but smell amazing might i add), i have the pleasure of accommodating those creatures who enjoy its cool, moist climate: the usual array of spiders (whose webs i grudgingly tear down—they’re back up within days anyway, it’s a losing battle…sometimes i get flashes of ruta bounding out of the spider’s lair, that is, our bathroom in sri lanka, screaming her head off, and i chuckle and almost enjoy my tiny crawly friends); a snail who occupies my ceiling, and has not budged from her post in weeks; and just yesterday, i made the acquaintance of a rather large slug who keeps himself fit by tracing circles of slime up and down my tiled walls (i am tempted to call him Speedy, and yet Bob is so much more fitting). actually, i haven’t seen him today, and have to do a quick reconnaissance mission before stepping into the bathroom, for fear of a squishy landing and the untimely demise of dear bob. i don’t mind these freeloading housemates so much, i mean, i like bugs; what really irks me is the mouse/rat (please oh please let it be a mouse!) who’s been nibbling on my vegetables (through the plastic bag no less—i have officially triple-wrapped everything, and hidden it all behind closed pantry doors), and leaving me delightful little poops on my counter top. i am trying to be one with nature here…but rodent feces is where i draw the line. (i just thank my lucky stars the cats haven’t found a way in yet…though it might solve the mouse issue…)

yes, yes, no bother, it’s all well and good, i am getting along just fine, don’t you worry…i’ve got to stock up on stories to tell my grandchildren you know. none of that wimpy “when i was your age, i walked 5 miles to school, in the SNOW no less”; no, no, mine will be in for much worse. 

so that’s that. part of me is longing to be on a sunny beach somewhere; part of me is excited about exploring new ground in europe; another part yet is aching at having to leave israel, and wishing for more time; and yes, i admit it, it’s true—there is a part that is wildly anticipating rushing into the arms of all my family and friends waiting patiently at home. soon, soon…it will all be over before i know it, and soon be staring all over again.