As a new immigrant living in Tel Aviv, one thing that surprises me is how many of the old people that I watch or meet, are in such good shape.
For instance, on a cold winter’s day when nobody even visits the beach, there is always a regular group of old folk swimming in the cold sea.
I watch them at Frishman Beach and marvel at these bony bent over white haired ‘kids’ trotting from the place they leave their clothes into the waves. And after, they come out the sea, slowly towel and dress, and go on to a full day, because it’s only eight in the morning.
In the evening I may be drinking a mint tea at Meshulash cafe in Dizengoff and there I am sure to spy, as in many other cafes, a rendezvous for the over 80’s, or old couples simply hanging out, watching the street.
Hanging Out
Where I come from grandmothers and grandfathers stay inside – either at home or in a old people’s residence. You may see them shuffle along the street, but you don’t see them hanging out in cafes as often as they do in Tel Aviv.
One oldie who regularly comes to Meshulash, likes to wear large hats like the kind you see at a royal race in England. And her girlfriends often wear loud, colorful dresses – not eccentric but definitely bold. As soon as the gang arrive you can feel the excited energy at their table as they order drinks and cakes and throw large smiles around.
On my way to work, passing Lechem Erez Bakery and Coffeeshop on Ibn Gvirol street, I always see old couples taking leisurely breakfast together. One time I approached one of the couples and asked them, “How’s life?”
“Very good,” replied the 78 year old woman buttering a croissant, “how can it not be good? We’ve been married for fifty years and we’re still loving it. We have breakfast here every day and then we go around doing our own thing. Moshe,” she said, indicating her husband, “is 85 and still walking.”
Old Being Young
Perhaps it is the nature of Israelis to age well. Perhaps the fact that everyone in Israel likes to talk keeps your brain up to date (the first thing that all new immigrants learn to say in Hebrew is their telephone numbers) and perhaps the warm Mediterranean weather inspires people to exercise and keep fit. In Summer there is no shortage of nubile old men playing football and bat and ball (known as matkot) on the beach.
Also I notice that the friendliness that I meet amongst my peers doesn’t fade with age. Yes, for the first time in my life I enjoy old people’s company – take Bati, a dynamic red hair, red lips woman whose husband died about a year ago, and now she’s taking trips, especially to India, hanging out with her posse on the beach, radiating a joy of life.
I thought about how simple and sweet are the oldies, these special people carrying more than 60 years of Israel’s independence, who largely arrived to Israel when it was a place for Jews to rebuild their lives after the Holocaust, and life was farming and horses, and supper could be as simple as eating olives and bread dipped in handmade olive oil.
Life has evolved so fast. Tel Aviv, like most modern cities, has its share of offices, malls, traffic, and 21 century conveniences and yet the oldies are still surfing the waves.
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