Yom Yerushalayim in YERUSHALAYIM
"Let's make this fleeting moment last forever" - Krewella
That feeling that's so internal but illuminates in your smile. That golden feeling of body, mind and soul collaborating. The feeling that feels so right. Being in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) on Yom Yerushalayim is that feeling.
Walking through Jerusalem, hearing the parades, seeing the countless Israeli flags waving in the air, feeling the ruach of everyone celebrating having Jewish sovereignty to the Old City after 2000 years.
Highlights of this day:
Arriving to Jerusalem in time to watch Cassi representing Hebrew University in front of over 100 people.
A little tick on my bucket list moment and a spontaneous visit to Kobi the hairdresser with my favourite person Cassi. Because, why not?! This whole experience became one that I will never forget, besides the point that it was another level to our friendship, bargaining the price down from 150 shekels to 50 shekels, singing Destiny's child in the salon, a brighter summer and impatiently waiting to see our blonde results; it was a bonding moment that took me a long time to pluck up the courage to do alone. So thank you to my soul sista Cassi for being apart of it. Couldn't have been anyone else. It began with walking on a random street towards Gan Sacher and choosing the first hairdresser that we saw. We both agreed on blonde streaks for the both of us, a first time colouring our 'au naturale' hair. With much anticipation, adrenaline rushing, hand squeezing, snapchatting and 'OH EM GEE-ing' we were officially 'streaked' blonde. 100 selfie sessions followed, uhm obviously!
The results were amazing!! *Pics on the Photo Inspirations page* But it was also perfect timing, with summer already heating through; this being a time of many transitions and changes and I guess a way of physically expressing it. It's an exciting and bright time of our lives and I'm soaking it all in and taking complete advantage of it!
Loving our new golden (couple of) locks, we walked past the marching and chanting parades. I can't help but feel a connection to these people that I don't even know and the songs that they are singing.
We continued to walk our way to an event organised by the Jerusalem Soul Centre at Gan Sacher. Our spot was in the forest part of the park, creating an intimate atmosphere and homeliness. There were quite a few people there from the Shabbatonim that I went to in the Golan and Mitzpe Ramon. With free food, amazing people, acoustic guitar jam sessions, a musical mincha session, a bonfire, meeting and greeting friends and having all round special time!
This day was especially special as well, as it was my roommate - Nicole's 24th birthday! Continuing our celebrations from the night before at Valium in Tel Aviv, we celebrated in the center of the world with her at Gan Sacher and in the streets of Jerusalem. There is definitely a divine feeling that comes with all these dates interlapping* (*made-up word) that adds to that feeling mentioned above. It was a perfect birthday for our roommate relationship - dancing all night long in TLV and then bringing it to a whole spiritual realm in Jerusalem. These two components are what makes this friendship work in unique way. I love it!
Our night wound down to drinking and sharing a nargilah (hookah) with a couple of the crew of Career Israel. Sitting at one of the outside tables, I had a perfect view of Jaffo street crowds, Ben Yehuda street crowds and the non-stop 'conveyor belt' of passerbys celebrating life, happiness, friends, unity and Jerusalem.
All in all, it was a day that felt absolutely right and special. Surrounded by special and holy people celebrating our beautiful lives in our homeland, a true blessing to be a part of this ever-strong and growing Jewish nation.
