We recently hit our 3-month mark since our move to Israel. Whereas our first weeks in Israel were spent running around navigating Israeli bureaucracy, the last little bit has been focused on settling into our new life, i.e., meeting new people and starting to look for jobs (although I’m kind of loving this new semi-retirement lifestyle). We’ve also unfortunately had to cut down on eating out, from three times a day to three times a month, for obvious reasons.
Notable mentions from the last few weeks:
Employment
In line with his work in Toronto, Zvi has set up his renovations business here in Israel. When we met with our Israeli accountant and told him the business name: Stonefield Homes and Renovations, we were met with a blank stare. Apparently you cannot register a business in English (I guess we should’ve figured that). And so, the official business name is a super long transliterated Hebrew word that makes no sense. Luckily, the main target clientele is fellow English speakers.
I have to say, networking is surprisingly easy in this country. Zvi walked into a Home Depot type store, told the workers that he just moved from Canada, and all of them oohed ahhed and insisted he return with business cards so that they can hand them out to customers. Then one of them piped up and was like, “he must meet so and so who’s in the field!” All agreed. And instead of giving Zvi that guy’s contact information, they dialed a number, handed Zvi the receiver and said “Here! Talk to him.” Long story short, random dude and Zvi actually met up for coffee at Aroma and discussed potential opportunities for working together.
As for me, I am soaking up the last bit of my one-year maternity leave (thank you Canada) and am thinking about what to do next. I will keep you posted.
Fun
Although we don’t live on the water, we are only a half-hour drive from the Tel Aviv beach and we try to go every other week. We walk along the boardwalk and admire the pace of life in this Mediterranean city. We’ve witnessed some extreme paddle ball competitions, a shirtless dude jogging with a birthday balloon attached to his wrist, and Israelis braving the cold winter waters screaming like they’re doing the polar bear plunge. It’s a riot.
Random Observations
Nearly all the citizens of the country seem to be enrolled in driving lessons, bus drivers included. I guess it’s a testament to how youthful Israel is. Nonetheless, this definitely makes already crazy roads, more interesting.
Grocery store cashiers hate to see you waste a dime. One caught me accidentally purchasing organic eggs, and was like “no no no, I don’t think you want those, they’re triple the price.” I swiftly put them back.
Choosing a daycare for our little guy was possibly the most stressful bit since our move. Our choices were either: have him hang out with someone’s grandma in her tiny apartment, OR, a large but crowded place where the kids don’t play outside all “winter” to avoid contracting pneumonia in 17-degree weather. I’m exaggerating (ish), but we did finally find one we really liked. He’ll be starting there in September.
All in all, do we miss Toronto? The people, yes, and occasionally I miss our house which we (mostly zvi) worked really hard to make beautiful. But on the other hand, we traded a house in the tundra for a small apartment with a view of lemon and pomelo trees where every day at around 5pm we watch the orange sun set on our new home. And I love it.
Till next time!
Sarit
Tel Aviv Boardwalk in January.
Eating out getting more complicated, but still awesome (dinner at kosher Japanese restaurant, Nini Hatchi, in Tel Aviv).
Soaking in the sun. But mostly him.
The Modern Yid 