Finally Free!! I live on the beach!?!?!

     On Monday the 7th at 7pm we were finally released from our 2 week isolation, into our new home of Bat Yam! We definitely got used to the luxury and comfort of having cool AC (or mazgan as they call it here) blowing at us 24/7. Walking outside our apartment into the apartment building we were hit with a wave of humid heat. Also getting used to the feeling of sweaty face masks took some adapting after not wearing one for two weeks. Although the heat was overwhelming and grossly humid, just being outside and breathing in fresh Israeli air (as much as we could through a mask) felt like just the thing we needed. Next stop; the beach, merely a 10 minute walk from our street. It truly felt like a dream walking onto the beach after containment, seeing the same four walls everyday, it was an incredible feeling to see the Mediterranean Sea waiting for us, something we could only imagine these past two weeks. It was about 8pm and the beach was so lively and crowded on a Monday night! The promenade was crowed with people drinking at beach-side bars, eating at elegant results or just grabbing a falafel and pita, so much energy even with Coronavirus it seemed people may have forgotten it existed (don't worry we practiced social distancing and mask wearing.) The calming vibes of the soft ocean waves contrasted the lively energy of the boardwalk, the best of both worlds. 

    After meeting up with other apartments in the same teaching program at the beach we decided to take a swim in the ocean. By far the best experience of the night, maybe even ever, that feeling of running into the warm, yet cooling just enough, ocean water can only be described as euphoric. Two weeks inside made the ocean feel like heaven. I just waded in the water for a while pondering how I made it here and how in the world is this my home now?? As cheesy as it sounds it's like one of those dream come true moments. I never actually thought I'd make it here but somehow I did amongst a worldwide pandemic!! I really have more determination then I give myself credit for. This perfect night ended with us stopping at a falafel place across the street from the apartment our falafel pitas of course topped with fries. I enjoyed every bite of this meal but I know with food the best is yet to come. This night was generally spontaneous we just knew the beach was our main destination. It just shows sometimes the best times of our lives are unplanned. This will definitely be a night that I won't forget. I highly recommend everyone to swim in the Mediterranean Sea once it their lives. My phone was not a big part of my night, below is the only picture I was able to get of the beach (expect much better ones in the future.)