Posts by Rebecca:

The 35 shekel haircut

by: Rebecca

You may not be able to remember the name of the salon (was it shuki zuki? shuki zukri?), and you might not want a student cutting your hair, but at the end of the day, the satisfaction of having a cheap, 35 shekel haircut is what will make you smile.

Shuki Zikri is a haircutting school in downtown Jerusalem that lets its students try out their skills on those that want a cheap haircut. They can cut, color, blowdry, etc for much less than if a ‘real’ hairdresser did it. But who can be bothered with professionals - at Shuki you don’t have to even make an appointment - you just show up. Once they shampoo and massage your head (my favorite part), they take you to a chair, pull out their handy dandy ghetto haircutting kit, and start sectioning off your hair, about 40 times until you beg them to move on to the cutting part. Maybe that’s what they focused on in their classes that day?! And not to worry, if they mess up and you notice it’s a little uneven, their teacher comes over and fixes everything. Continue »

December 22, 2007 | Essentials, Tips on saving NIS, Wisdom Gained | 5 Comments

Did anybody else notice this wacky bus story?

by: Rebecca

Although I don’t usually focus on news stories, this one particularly caught my eye. (See full article below or at Jpost)

It appears that a man was neglected by Egged at a Kiryat Ye’arim station. Awww… Next thing you know, that guy is getting 18,000 shekels from Egged! Still feel sorry for him?

Is Israel turning into America? Will people be suing Cafe Hillel over too-hot coffee that accidentally spilled in their lap? I find this story unbelievable for so many reasons. Let’s try to break down why. Continue »

December 22, 2007 | Easily Amused, If I ran Israel, The fights | Leave a Comment

Manicures and Pedicures in Jerusalem, secrets revealed

by: Rebecca

Don’t be upset, boys. I know this blog can get a little girly at times due to the fact that we are, in fact, girls. But I’ll tell you this, mention the juicy details in this post to a lady friend, and you will be guaranteed a 10.5 second hug, perhaps even a high five. So, it’s up to you to continue reading.

I decided it was time to grow up and stop taking out boredom or nervousness on my poor fingers. So, I set out on treating myself to a manicure and did what any good Jerusalem Anglo would do, check Janglo before venturing out of my home. I called a few places but found the prices to be at least 60 shekels. Alas, I found an ad posted from Ester, who would come to my house and give me a manicure for 50 shekels. I thought this service was reserved for the wealthy with butlers, a summer home in the Hamptons, and a 3 car garage.

So, in this strange land of Israel, you can enjoy in-home manicures or a stick of deodorant for roughly the same price. So make your choice wisely. You could be stinky or have some nice lookin’ nails. I went for the nails. Ester’s number is 0544 99 5067.

In other extremity news, my graphic design teacher showed us how to shorten toes in Photoshop but he kept referring to them as fingers. Not the Hebrew word for fingers, the English word itself. Should I have said something? Probably. Did I? No. This way, every time I mess up in Hebrew, I can think back to all the Israelis I’ve met who think they jump in puddles, ride their bike, and step in dog poop with their “fingers” and have a good giggle.

December 12, 2007 | Tips on saving NIS, Wisdom Gained | 3 Comments

Sheruts are definitely the way to go, running 24 hours

by: Rebecca

I went to Tel Aviv the other night for the first time in a very very very long time. Despite the fact that Tel Aviv is technically pretty close, all that traveling on busses is enough to keep me away. I believe the last time was for WordCamp and iDrink. This time it was for a birthright israel party. An open bar birthright party, I might add. But Rebecca, you didn’t go on birthright, did you? No, I couldn’t since I had already been to Israel on organized tours. But luckily, Molly did, and she was able to get me in somehow. Here’s the crazy part.. Ivri Lider was invited to light the chanukah candles which was pretty surreal. The truth is, it could’ve been any Israeli- looking guy and I would’ve believed it was him (a little tip for the next celebrity planned at these events). And then he just stuck around like he wanted to be there. It felt good to feel young, get a little tipsy, and dance until 2am.

But I digress. I wanted to mention some tips I learned from my travels to that far off land of TA (Have it stand for what you will). Continue »

December 10, 2007 | Wisdom Gained | 2 Comments

And you thought Italian was a pretty language

by: Rebecca

The most beautiful word in the Hebrew language is mos’ definitely Chaki, accent on the first syllable, rhymes with cocky, with that extra special chhhh sound that lets me clear my throat guilt-free. This is not to be confused with a similar word meaning to wait. No, this is the word for what in English is known as the color khaki. The not so pretty color apparently has its own not so pretty version in Hebrew.

Lately I’ve been experiencing major writers block. I knew I couldn’t write until I felt passionately about something. Thankfully, hearing this word Chaki over and over in my graphic design class made me realize just how beautiful this Hebrew language truly is. In 3 years of living in Israel, and only now am I treated to some of the more rare and beautiful words. Try it for yourself. Say it as your walk down the street, pick out your outfit for the day, as you’re about to eat- this delectable word is bound to drum up an appetite. I’ll take 2 Chakis, please. Hold the loogie.

December 9, 2007 | Easily Amused | Leave a Comment

New Chanukah video [funny]

by: Rebecca

As promised, a funny video for each holiday! For those of you searching for a funny Chanukah video, here’s Light My Candles a Hanukah Parody of “Rent” The Musical made by the big felafel’s very own Molly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ6BwFisGk0

December 5, 2007 | Videos | 1 Comment

Improv in Jerusalem, Laugh it up

by: Rebecca

I need a good laugh. In fact, the last time I think I had one was at an improv night over a year ago. Actually, this video makes me laugh quite a bit - well, more the version that Molly does of it.

Thank G-d for Chanukah, Wednesday nights, the Merkaz, and funny people. Put it all together and you’ve figured out this cryptic note.

Improv night
Wednesday night, December 5, Merkaz Hamagshimim
7a Dor Vdorshav, German Colony | 8:30pm | 35 shekels, unlimited drinks

Here are some videos of the improv group:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjHSRrBWRug

Improv 1 of 3

Improv 2 of 3

Improv 3 of 3

I’d like to think maybe I had a tiny hand in producing my own entertainment, by putting some members in touch with each other and telling them they should really do it! What I don’t get is how these people are so hysterical on the spot.. do they have super fast brains? I’m really in awe, in case you can’t tell. See you there!

December 4, 2007 | Easily Amused | Leave a Comment

12 hours straight of tv and movies

by: Rebecca

It’s not often your eyes get the chance to glaze over as you watch 12 hours straight of tv and movies. But now, Contintental has a new on-demand movie system to satisfy your tv cravings guilt-free with shows like Sex and the City, Scrubs, Friends, and The Office, not to mention the 150+ movies at your disposal.

However, I find that the greater entertainment selection there is, the ruder the flight attendants are. As one of the flight attendant’s passed my seat, I sweetly and innocently asked if they had any more of those great noshy chips they handed out earlier. Here’s the response I got: “I don’t know. this is a really packed flight, and I have no way of knowing. If I check for you, then I have to get for everyone else. Oh, I see the bathroom opening up. If I don’t go now, I’ll never get in. ” I have a feeling they’d rather see the latest Weeds episode than be handing out kosher meals.

November 16, 2007 | Wisdom Gained | 1 Comment

Hebrish is one funny language

by: Rebecca

Over the course of the past few months, I’ve jotted down a list of some of the best Hebrish words I’ve witnessed. I’m sure the list will grow over time as my amusement continues. Many are from my graphic design course, which provides an endless amount of Englew/Hebrish.

  • אנדואים Undoim: Undos, as in, I’m using Adobe Illustrator and need to go back a few steps in my design. “Bo na’aseh cama undoim”.
  • אונלייניותOnlineiot: Describing your online profile. “Tivdeku at haprofilim onliniot v’offliniot”
  • ספוט קולורים - Spot Colorim: Spot colors. As in, let’s look at this color wheel and spot colors.
  • לפברק Lefabrek: Can you guess? Not to make a fabric (that’s what I thought). To fabricate. Did you get it right?
  • שרקיות-Shrekiut: As in, this picture has two Shrek-like things coming out of its head, so you can feel the shrekiut.

Here are some more that you can figure out on your own:

  • פיגורה (figura)
  • סילואטה(silhouetta)
  • קומפוזיציה(compozitsie)

And I did all this without hebrew letters on my keyboard! Thank goodness for the delete key. Do you have any to add?

November 6, 2007 | Easily Amused | 5 Comments

What? People live outside of Jerusalem?

by: Rebecca

Guest blogger Rachel currently lives in Haifa and gives The Big Felafel a new perspective on living in Israel. Did you know that busses run on Shabbat in Haifa? Did you know that the anglo group is called Hanglo which sounds a little funny? Just some of the things I imagine you would need to get used to, living all the way up there.

I am that girl who walks around looking a little lost. I am that girl you come up to and ask if she needs help. I am that girl that sits in a lecture taking copious notes, and taping everything with her brand new digital voice recorder. I am the one who comes home and tells her husband they told us this crazy thing X and it was either 9% or 90%, I couldn’t quite catch it, but isn’t that amazing?

Before I began my MA in social work in Israel I knew it would be different than America, and I knew it would be difficult – but I still didn’t know what to expect. So far, it is different and it is difficult, but there is a lot of good too.

I moved to Haifa to go to school and I am surprisingly among the minority of people in my class who live in Haifa . Most of them commute, even some from Jerusalem , my former safe haven of English speaking olim. Haifa is great for olim, if you are from Russia. Continue »

October 31, 2007 | Trying to fit in | 3 Comments

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