Happy 60th!!!

I arrived back in Israel just in time for Israel's 60th birthday, which actually coincides with my mom's 60th, and was greeted by a country ready to celebrate. As I was making my way from the airport to Hertzalia the Israeli flags that graced every single light post lining the hi-way stunned me. That was just the beginning of what was to come.

Israel celebrates Memorial Day and Independence Day back to back. Personally, I think it is an incredible way to remember all those who sacrificed so that we could have this country to call home. At sundown on Tuesday evening, a siren sounded across the entire country signaling the start of Yom HaZikaron. There were events taking place all over the country remembering those that had lost their lives to secure our homeland. Although I did not go out that evening to attend any of these events I was fortunate that the Nature Museum, who's property backs up to the building I live in, hosted a concert that night and I was able to hear the speakers, though I have to admit I didn't understand much since it was all in Hebrew, and the music performances that lasted late in to the night.

Wednesday morning at 11:00am another siren sounded. This one lasted for 2 minutes and served as a moment of silence for all those who perished during our country's fight for independence. At 10:58am, myself and several co-workers left our desks and headed up to the roof of our office building in an attempt to not only hear the siren more clearly, but also to see all the cars on the roads stop and drivers and passengers exit their vehicles for those two minutes in remembrance of Israel's fallen soldiers and terror victims. It was a first for me and something I will never forget.

Wednesday was basically a “half-day" for the entire country since it was Yom HaZikaron (Israel's Memorial day), which was really nice for me since I had MAJOR jet lag. Once the sun set on Wednesday the country shifted from mourning to celebrating. I had got off work at 3:00 and made my way home, took a short nap, packed and then headed off to Tel Aviv for a night of celebrating Israel's Independence Day and a day of continued celebration and relaxation on the beach.

Eliana, Sonya and I arrived at Michalya, Eliana's sister's, apartment in the heart of Tel Aviv around 9:00pm where we dropped off our stuff and quickly made our way out to the parties. Tel Aviv was filled with street party after street party. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. Taking over entire side streets, major intersections and rooftops were hundreds and hundreds of Israelis, Americans, Russians, South Americans and who knows who else celebrating Israel's 60th birthday. Cars were not able to drive, people could barley even walk but everyone was there, with love in their hearts for this country, their home.

After several hours of party hopping we headed back home to Michalya's to get some rest for what lie ahead of us on Thursday. We woke up semi-bright and early, around 10:00am, quickly rallied and headed off to the beach, about a 10-minute walk from Michalya's apartment. All week we had heard planes flying overhead preparing for the much talked about Air Show that would take place all over the country on Yom Haatzmaut. The Air Show was set to begin in the very south of the country and work it’s way up all the way to the very North. Since we were sort of in the middle of the country we weren't exactly sure when to expect the planes so we tried to arrive to the beach as early as possible.

After about 2 hours of 5 minute countdowns, we literally said "only 5 more minutes" about 25 times, the Air Show finally began with 2 helicopters dropping about 10 Paratroopers into the sea and them swimming up to the beach. It was great! After the paratroopers about 100 sailboats quickly filled the water... it was unreal. They were everywhere and it was a beautiful sight. The beach and Tayelet (Promenade/boardwalk) had been packed since before we arrived and the beach and filled up to what felt like maximum capacity. There were hundreds of people in the water up to their knees, with hundreds more on the sand and boardwalk. When the planes finally started flying in the crowd was in awe. The lifeguards were trying to get everyone to cheer as plane after plane flew over the sea. There were older fighter planes and new ones. There were ones doing tricks, blowing smoke and even ones fueling up right above our heads. The crowd loved it!!


One of the most amazing things of the day was a plane that dropped about 15 parachuters right onto the beach. Unfortunately, it was a windy day and one the parachuters was blown a bit off course and landed on the crowd injuring himself and several people. Hopefully they will all recover and be OK.
The day was completed by a phenomenal sushi dinner, the best I have ever had in Israel, and the drive back to Jerusalem. Today, Friday, the country resumed a normal life although I hear that the celebrations will carry on all month.

All in all, it was a wonderful and special way to be welcomed back to the country that is now my home.

Much Love from the Holy Land!