A Small World
In London, if you want to ‘bump into somebody’, you have to be one of those spontaneous airy fairy lucky types who is always in the right place at the right time. But in Israel, at least in TLV, you can be as rational and routined as you like, and you’re still going to have constant chance encounters on the street with friends and people you know.
It is a small world. The Tel Avivians I know seem to think nothing of jumping to other cities like Kfar Saba, Jerusalem, Haifa, the Kinneret, Ashdod, just for a few hours. I guess not really getting traffic like in London and, having reliable public transport, means you can travel on a whim.
I like the small world I have joined. And for me everything i need is within a very short distance – 2 best friends just a road away, enough coffeeshops and bars for those ‘chance encounters,’ and a lovely Bar on Ben Gurion boulevard for morning tea and evening soup when i need to go out and feel like I’m still at home.
Tell Everyone You Know
I think a sense of community, even in the city, is nourishing – like the way I see people helping each other. I remember when I went to the Jewish Agency, on arriving here, to get tips about finding a job. “Tell everybody you know that you’re looking for a job, and I don’t just mean friends,” said the advisor.
That was a novel idea for me but i tried it whilst I was in the hell of looking for an appartment. And it worked! People I met on the beach, in a shop or even just sitting in the BG boulevard, would pass me numbers of appartments to view.
But the magic doesn’t end there, I discovered. You do it to find a partner too! I know one early 30s Tel Aviv woman who has only ever met guys through friends. And for someone like me, unused to telling people that i am single and searching, there is no escape from this style of pairing.
My new compatriots – even relative strangers – will regularly say to me, “Do you have a boyfriend...why not?...I know someone you should meet....shall i give him your number?”
Bonding Even With A Cop
Just the other day, I was at the annual Purim street party in Ben Yehuda. Purim is a national holiday when Israelis put on fancy dress and celebrate with a carnival in the streets. As I passed from my apartment into the street festivities, I greeted a gang of police officers working as security guards.
I politely said hello to them and one of the policewomen suddenly and unexpectedly said to me that I looked gorgeous. I wasn't dressed up - just wearing jeans, a t-shirt - but i presumed she was talking about the plastic crown on my head, which i had bought to feel part of the celebrations. I thanked her for the compliment and went on my way.
After a few hours I returned home passing the police officers again and this time I casually asked, if anybody needed anything. The woman who had given me the compliment asked if she could use my toilet. Sure, I said, and suddenly there was a policewoman in my pad taking a pee. Now you may not think anything of this, but what i realised was that Tel Aviv is a city where strangers are familiar with each other, where a policewoman can just use the toilet of someone like me.
But, I keep on saying it, Israel’s a small world - and because we are connected, it’s good to be helpful. You never know when it’s your turn to move home, find a job, or another lover. Good karmic actions will bring you a host of angels!
I remember one night sitting alone at the seashore, under the moon and stars, and wishing to be with somebody. Minutes later a nice looking, nice talking man arrives, asks me if i’m ok, and beforelong, we’re sitting side by side, each with a small can of beer, and in a mix of hebrew and english, strangers become friends. Oh, and of course, he knows somebody I know...