If you are over 45, you most likey remember most things being closed in the states on Sundays. For many of us as children, Sundays were days were there was nothing on TV, not much to do and certainly no shopping. Our children today couldn't possibly fathom that in our world where consumerism is the new religion, but here is Israel, Givataim the suburb of Tel Aviv, it is like a blast from the past except because the majority is Jewish here, everything closes on Fridays around 4 and stays closed until sunset on Saturdays.

I must say that it is quiet, families eat together, there is no bus service, not even a paper is delivered. Yes there are a few small stores open, like places to buy water, and a few pizza places etc but the general energy is closed. The traffic is quiet, the streets are not bustling and people are enjoying a forced and welcomed day off. It is refreshing. It brings me back to my childhood. As an adult i welcome the break from consumerism. I welcome the excuse to make a family lunch, to eat together. As a Jewish woman who celebrates her culture at a pace that works for me, it is so much easier to celebrate the joys of Shabbat when the whole place shuts down.

Givataim feels like an old fashioned neighborhood, a suburb that has not yet been yuppified by people who cant afford Tel Aviv. I don't know if this is true, but it seems like this. Most people I have seen are older, like the generation 40 years ago is still here keeping it alive and well and old fashioned. There are tons of hair salons, nail salons, haven't seen any spas here, of course Tel Aviv is much more cosmopolitan and active. This generation here in Givataim that i have met so far are not necessarily the spa type. I love being here amongst a group of people who lived through Israel being declared a state in 1948, who remember when Tel Aviv was all sand. I cherish their love of life, their humble existence, their appreciation of family.

I am refreshed as i begin to pack up my memories and get ready to come home. I have been privledged to live with 3 different families from 3 different countries in the past 3 weeks and home is truly what you make of it. They have invited me in and I have hungrily taken them in to my heart as much as they have welcomed me into theirs.

Thank you to Copenhagen, Menorca, Madrid and my beloved family in Israel. You have helped heal my spirit and renew my quest for exploration, both external and internal.