Darkroom Daisies

Just to tide you over...

Hello, sorry it's been a century since my last post. I'm still living out of my suitcase in several places, so it's been a disaster trying to get together my camera, laptop, time, and internet capability in order to update.  But most importantly, I have been taking pictures. 

I have about 50 photographs taken in the North that I've picked out from a big "stack". Here are just a few to tide you over--the wireless internet connection that I'm hacking from the neighbors in Gilo is mediocre at best, so I don't think my laptop can handle uploading my entire selection.

Here's a (sort of ugly) picture of the best hummus restaurant in the North. It has always been Daniel's ritual to go to Abu Rami's every friday morning before Shabbat to have brunch there (not that they serve breakfast).

Since the first weekend that I ever stayed with him, we go to Abu Rami's, order 2 personal bowls of chummus with all the free side dishes, a basket of warm pita, and orange juice to share. If it's just him and I, we sit at our table where we had our first date. If we bring along Boogi (a friend, not a boogie Dad!) or if the place is packed (ie someone has stolen our table) then we sit elsewhere. The Arabs that own Abu Rami know Daniel by face and always wish us a  "Shabbat Shalom" upon leaving. What can I say, my boyfriend's a star.

Here's Daniel in action. Literally. Eating hummus at Abu Rami's is a religious experience. Neither of us speak too much. We're to busy concentrating on the flavors...

Here's a close-up. Once you try this hummus, you will never be able to call the stuff in the plastic tub real. On the off-chance that we go to Abu Rami's on a Thursday, it's my favorite--they give you a free side of corn. I love to dip pita in the warm hummus, and then dab some corn on it. And the chick-peas are so delicious! My mouth is watering just writing about it :)

 
A five minute car ride from the commerical/residentail area of Abu Rami's will take you to scenes like this. Even the dumpsters look beautiful here!

I'm all about the grungy stuff. Well, at least photographing them.

 
Loved the clouds and the colors. I thought the dome-y thing was something mosque-related, but it's actually a rabbis burial site. There are lots like this one all around the Karmiel area.

The next 2 photos are at the rest stop on the way back to Jerusalem from Farod. I usually get annoyed at the porspect of waiting an additional 10 minutes during the 3 hour ride, but at least this time I got some pictures out of it.

 I smiled when I saw I was not the only photographer itching to capture the breathtaking sky. There were at least 2 others with hefty cameras propped in the same direction as mine. I wonder how their pictures came out.

Again, sorry for the lengthy hiatus. As I said before, I have much more material waiting to be posted. Be back as soon as I can!

Sincerely Sophie

 
 
 

 

Un dia esPEZtacular

¿No hablas español? Then I should let you know that PEZ means fish. It´s another gloomy, cold day in Gijón, Spain. Hiding from the clouds, Laura and I spent the morning at the aquarium. Here´s some photography love for you. The non-fishy photographs were taken on the way.

I liked the colors of the buildings.

A dog fight was brewing...

Knobby trees.

"Ponte allí y sacaré una foto" (Put yourself there and I´ll take a picture).

Three wise guys.

 

 

Laura!!!

 

 

 

 

 

This room is set up like a movie theater. I'm proud of this shot.

That´s all from the aquarium. I already have the next group of pictures lined up for tomorrow so come back for more.

As always...

Sincerely Sophie

 
 
 
 
  

 
        

Here's to doing what's best for me...

Hey friends. Over the last few days, I've been packing all of my things, cleaning, and freaking out like it's nobody's business. Why? Because I'm moving out of my dorm with the rest of Nativ, mentally preparing myself for a week of Gadna, packing for 2 weeks in Spain, and setting things into motion for leaving Nativ.

That's right, I'm leaving my program so I can spend the rest of the year in Jerusalem. This way, I can continue volunteering at the barn and attending Ulpan with my friends from around the world. If things go as planned, I will join a less intrusive program that will help me achieve my goals here.

Hopefully, I'll be living with my Colombian friends not too far from the center of town. They are looking for a new apartment and offered to let me rent a room with a Colombian woman who is *tidy* like me. Just imagine all the Spanish and Hebrew I will get to practice in this new set up! I can't wait--I desperately hope it will work out.

Another plus is that I will have more weekends to spend in my favorite place, the North, with my boyfriend and his warm family. I also will get to see my cousins and sister more often, now that I won't be living in the middle of nowhere South.

Here's a random mix of pictures from the north and from my family's visit:

Mod Lan and the live babydoll.

Condensed mini-desert :)

Gerber daisies in the Holy Land. Alana's favorite.

Don't be fooled by the familiar brand name. Israeli gum tastes like toothpaste gone wrong.

Some red stuff.

Waiting in a torrential downpour at a bus stop with Daniel, this was the only redeeming thing about our sopping situation.

Daniel's baby sister, Lenoy. She's a munchkin.

She wanted me to take a picture of **just her sweater** and then **just her feet**...

Pastel roses.

Wish me luck on Gadna this coming week...5 days of Israeli army simulation and sleeping in lice-infested sleeping bags (or so I've heard). It should make for an interesting blog post!

Sincerely Sophie