Rock the Kibbutz

This past week has been crazy. We just got back from the Kibbutz and it was incredible. Words cannot describe how amazing it was. This whole trip has really opened my eyes, not only to the world but to myself. A few weeks ago I never would have thought that I would ever ride a camel. I mean, come on, I'm a city girl, born and bred. I'm much more of a people person than an animal person. The closest I'd ever even gotten to wild animals was when my Swedish Au Pair, Annika, took me to the Bronx Zoo. It was kind of gross and I cried the whole time (Annika got a talking to about taking me to such an unhygienic establishment) . Well, nevertheless maybe I've changed. Maybe I am an animal person because I just loved riding that camel. It was so much fun!

The rest of the time on the Kibbutz was spent sitting around a campfire and, get this, singing songs. A lot of the other people wanted to sing songs I'd never even heard of. Luckily for them I'm a musician so Kati and I introduced them to some Kanye. Our rendition of American Boy as the sun set in Israel was awesome (I was Estelle, Kati was Kanye). Everyone was way impressed.

Also, I kind of, sort of, maybe met a guy. It's very low key right now but I can tell you he is beyond cute. I'll save all the details for another entry but, ahhh, omg! I'm gushing.

Miss you all! I will write soon.

xx,
Is

My Humps

For such a small country there is just so much to do. Someone told me Israel is the size of New Jersey. Weird, right? Well anyways. I am going to be MIA for a little bit because we are going on a week long trip to a kibbutz. There is no internet there. Or even cell phone reception. Can you imagine? Kind of nervous about that but I think I will survive. Kati loves it at the kibbutz. She says it’s a really spiritual experience. Lots of meditating (I bought the best yoga pants ever, so pretty psyched about wearing those). Also, get this: We will be riding camels! Camels!! Can you believe that? Me? Isabel Coates on a camel? Never thought I would see that day. I will let you all know how it goes.

xx, Is

Shalom Carrie!

Israelis are just like us! They like Sex and the City too. Kati and I just went to see it in a theater here (I’d seen it already but I wanted to see it again with my Carrie. I keep going back and forth on whether I’m Miranda or Charlotte. Who do you think I am?). It was so cool to see it in a theater in a different country. It was in English with Hebrew subtitles. The weird lettering was kind of distracting at first but then I got so swept up by the story that I totally forgot it was even there. The movie was awesome the second time around. But that’s probably because Kati was sitting next to me and we were able to laugh, cry and squeal together.

xx, Is

Israel, I'm Yours

I’m finally here. And omg, it's amazing. It’s like totally cute and cosmopolitan! When I got off the plane, Kati was there. It was beyond amazing to see her. She looks the same (except she got shorter bangs, which look incredible. She can totally put it off). Kati and I hugged each other for a good five minutes. I think her driver, Namir, thought we were totally weird. But I didn’t care! I was finally reunited with Kati! It felt like I hadn’t seen her in years (it had actually only been five months but still). The second we got into the car I started giving her all the dirt from the previous semester. Of course she knew it all since I had already told her everything in detail but she still wanted to hear it from my own mouth (I’m a really good story teller). Telling the whole Jenny Humphrey/Asher Hornsby/Eric van der Woodsen scandal in person was so much fun. I forgot how outrageous that story truly was. Kati said her school is surprisingly way gossipy. She described it as if Constance was in the desert and instead of Lanvin flats everyone wore Tevas. I immediately understood.

These next few weeks are going to be so much fun. I cannot wait. Kati and I have so much to do. We're off to the Armenian Quarter for dinner. Will write later.

xx, Is

Four Days!

I leave for the Holy Land in four days! Can you believe it? I am so excited for the beaches, cute army guys and most importantly my BFF Kati! It's been so long since I last saw her and I cannot wait to be on the same continent with her for two whole months. We are going to have the best time ever. Kati loves Israel and I'm sure I am going to love it too. I am really looking forward to seeing her new life over there. She says Israel is a lot like New York, only with sand and more falafel stands (if you can believe that). Kati says everyone is really attractive and into fashion. I can totally get into that! We plan on spending a ton of time laying out on the beach (Tel Aviv is so much more exotic than the Hamptons), going to discoteques and sightseeing at such places like the Wailing Wall and the Baha'i Gardens.

I will be keeping a detailed journal about my journey so you can all read about my experience! Please feel free to leave me comments.

xx, Is