Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day)

I'm really glad I get to catch two independence days this year. This year Israeli Independence fell on April 29 (Wednesday) and like many Israelis we went out to a party the night before and made a BBQ at Hayarkon Park, a long stretch of green space in North Tel Aviv. My flat mate, Jack, invited a bunch of us to his boss' rooftop party on April 28. The apartment is near Kikar Rabin (Rabin Square--named after Israel's assassinated Prime Minister) in Tel Aviv's downtown with a great view of the city. The party had hundreds of people (very crowded) and a live band playing covers of American and Israeli songs.

Me and Jack at the rooftop party.


Me and Sam at the rooftop party.


The aforementioned rooftop party.

The next day Benji (my Swiss buddy) and I organized a BBQ at the park. Much like the States' everyone in Israel either goes to the beach or the park to grill kebabs, veggies, hotdogs, burgers, etc. The weather was phenomenal (typical Israel) and we got a big group of friends together.

Grillin' buddies.


More grillin'.

Friends pic 09'.

Big news from the family--my cousin just had a baby boy and the briss is on Monday. Congratulations to her and her husband, I'll hopefully be seeing them tomorrow to congratulate them in person.

Just had a great weekend in Jerusalem too. Did some serious Old City touring including the "scary" Muslim quarter that was not scary at all. (Don't believe the locals-I wouldn't get lost there at night, but it wasn't a problem during the day. Saw some really cool spots--the first Church ever (maybe) and Jesus' trail from judgement to burial (maybe) and Jesus' jail cell (maybe)...also snuck up onto the wall of the Old City at night and walked around (really cool). All the maybes are b/c none of the events are proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but you better believe that the people who have faith are really into it. That stuff is coming up.