backtotheroots

Back to business! I have not written anything for a long time. This is certainly not for lack of topics but rather for lack of time. So now let's try to sum up the past two weeks. Mick arrived on Friday June 5th. From the second he set foot in Israel he felt at home. Same thing about Tel Aviv, our appartment, the gallery. Mick here felt as something natural. The first evening he practically ran from our appartment directly into the sea. Stephane followed him. They were both in their underwear. But who cares? This is Tel Aviv! We drank cocktails while they were drying up. During Mick's stay we went twice to the gym together - spinning. Every morning he went alone to work out among all the other Israeli's for whom it is important to be fit. We went to the beach. He spent special hours with Stephane in the gallery. Brainstorming. Drinking beer on the porch at the end of the day. Observing people passing by. We went out for dinner, every night actually. Mick and I rented a car for one day and drove to Masada and afterwards to Jerusalem. On Friday June 12th we watched the Gay Pride in the streets of Tel Aviv. Mick shopped. I tried to show him what life in Tel Aviv is about. I tried to let him feel the energy. High speed on the one hand and super casual and relaxed on the other hand. Mick felt great walking around in sport outfits from morning till night. It is warm in Tel Aviv and every day is like a dubble shift. Work from morning till afternoon. Shower, change and then start the "other day" - which is the evening/night. Mick left on Sunday 15th of june. Stephane and I really enjoyed having Mick here. We spent quality time together and got to know each other even better. We hope we'll see him back here soon!   

Mick arrives tomorrow afternoon. He is leaving his busy life in Holland and comes to rest here for a week. But not only to rest of course! Also to visit me and Stephane, to experience Tel Aviv 2009. I am so looking forward to this week, to share a bit of my life with my dear friend. To hear about his impressions of Tel Aviv, of Israel. To listen to his ideas. Because Mick is always full of ideas. Even when "at rest" his creative spirit never stops. Although I do hope that Mick will rest here. Take it easy, enjoy the sunshine, the beach, the Tel Aviv scene. I know he really, really needs it. Waiting for you Mick!  

Last week I started the "ulpan". The meaning of the word is actually "studio". However, in Israel all new immigrants or people wanting to learn Hebrew know the word "Ulpan" as the place or insitution where you learn the language. You will find "ulpan" in many places the country and in the city. Ulpan Gordon has a very good reputation. Not sure why but I guess it is because of the teachers and the nice location in Tel Aviv (certainly for me: 5 minutes bike!!!): central, nice garden good & spacious classrooms, parking place for cars and for bikes.... Anyway I took the test to determine my level. They put me in class "Gimmel" meaning third level. I joined the class last monday and realized after just 15 minutes that even though I understand and speak very well, I would never be able to follow when it came to grammar. First of all this class started already in March and my last real hebrew lesson must have been in 1976..... The teacher told me to try level "bet", second level. I followed her advice and joined teacher Shosh's class that meets 3 times a week - mondays, wednesdays and thursdays. Most students were surprised when they heard me speak Hebrew however they soon realized that I am not further than they are when it comes to doing grammatical exercises. So I decided to stay until the end of this session (end of June). I hope to be able to learn by myself all I have missed and so be able to join a level gimmel class that hopefully will start in July.  Of course I tried to find out which classes will be given in the summer but I forgot that I am in Israel: the programme is not ready yet...July is so far away  :-)) !