The International Edition: 6 Hours in Tel Aviv

Ok, so, when I brought the blog back, the goal was to blog twice a week. Clearly that's not going very well so far. So, we'll aim for once a week while I get back into the swing of things. Better a little than never, right?

When I was in Israel (admittedly, already a long time ago), I forgot to make plans in advance. Oops. It's because I was so excited to hang out with Gila, I didn't think about anything else. Also, it was so hot that it was sometimes difficult for me to motivate myself to go outside. (That's why there aren't more blog pictures from this trip. Tooooo much sweat.) But one morning, two days before I left, I realized I had nothing to do and Gila had to work all day. So... time for a spontaneous trip to Tel Aviv!

Everything is better on the beach.

Literally, when we left the house (for Tuesday coffee and AMAZING PANCAKES), I didn't know I was going. But then I decided to get on the train. I'm so impulsive guys!

Tel Aviv is hopping, but also pretty strange (is it a city? super fancy? full of slums? high rises? low rises? Yes to all of the above!) I don't know my way around there at all, unlike in Jerusalem, so I got lost more than once, but I persevered.

This is why I don't pose for pictures.

 Luckily, my friend Shayna has been living there for the past two years on a post doc, so she gave me excellent advice about where to go, and also met me for delicious frozen lemonade and a walk to the beach. My favorite place was the Carmel Shuk (see pics below!) mostly because it was so bustling and crazy. It's what the Shuk in Jerusalem used to be like, before it got super fancy and filled with expensive restaurants. I walked back and forth probably five times, just taking in the sites and occasionally dodging the vendors who tried to shove things in my mouth to get me to eat them.

I decided to finish off the day at the beach, which was beautiful. As you can see, I was not at all dressed for it, but really, as long as you can take off your sandals, you can always make it work. I might have been the only woman not in a bikini. I'm an individual through and through, even internationally. And I was extremely proud because I asked someone to take my picture in Hebrew and she didn't answer in English.

I started work this week. It's actually the best (I heart teaching), but there is a part of me that misses vacation. And Gila. And pancakes. Oh well.

Coming soon: the unveiling of the new Summer Bucket List (aka SBL2.0). Get psyched!

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt (with pockets!), Jones New York top via TJ Maxx (similar here), Bare Traps sandals (similar here)

Summer Bucket List: Storm King Art Center

The summer bucket list continues! I am only two weeks behind with this post! Can we pretend it's because I'm too busy having fun, and not because I'm working all the time?

A couple of Sundays ago, my friend Dahlia and I ventured out of town to the Storm King Art Center, in New Windsor, NY. It's basically a huge, sprawling outside sculpture garden which you can read about here. It's always nice to get out of the city for the day, especially on a beautiful, sunny (if hot) day. I had never been before, but I had heard it was beautiful, and it certainly did not disappoint.

I tried to reach the statue! So close, and yet so far...

 My favorite part, I think was the special exhibit on sculptures with water, especially the pink ones you can see here. They looked sort of like they were made of melted wax, and they were also neon pink so that was cool.

Can you see me poking out behind the fountain?

Ahhh, giant Buddha, don't smush me!

The other highlight was the beautiful landscape, which would have been worth visiting even if there hadn't been any art. The water, trees, and rolling green fields with wide open skies were, to put it mildly, a bit of a change from my usual surroundings. There were also some sculptures integrated into the landscape itself, like Maya Lin's waves and the stone wall you see me standing next to in the first picture.

The view...

For a day like this, it's important to wear comfortable shoes to be ready for a lot of walking, and lightweight clothing because the sun was so strong. I also go to wear my fedora-- score! I love wearing my fedora, but it's rare that I get to do so without people thinking I'm either married or a hipster. So I embraced the opportunity.

What are your favorite outdoor spaces for summer?

What I'm wearing: Eshakti skirt (similar here), Kosher Casual shirt, Bare Traps sandals (similar here), fedora bought at Santa Monica Pier.