A foot in two cultures
It’s interesting to come back to one’s home country on vacation before returning to the normal rhythm of work, play, congregation, laundry, rent payments, etc. somewhere else! Being here …
Patience
A couple weeks ago, I went to get some documents for my visa notarized. In order to avoid long lines, I resolved to arrive at the office exactly when …
Malandros israelenses (Israeli con artists)
Malandra Israelense #1 – The woman selling bread on a corner in the Carmel Market “How much is the challah?” I ask. “Ten shekels.” “Okay, we”ll take one.” “These …
Love and cell phones
While walking down Jaffa Road in Jerusalem, we passed a young man just as he was showing a glimpse of something – rather secretively – to a friend. “Congratulations, …
Tel Aviv
Today I walked from Florentine to Yafo, then up through Neve Tzedek to Ha-Karmel Market, then east on Sheinkin Street until finally turning back south and heading home via …
Decade in review
I was reflecting a bit on where I was 10 years ago – the beginning of 2000. I was 15, a year and a half away from graduating high …
Mais uma vez
Adeus adeus, Bahia, minha terra adotada. I may have adopted Brazil, but Brazil hasn’t adopted me. I’m still just another estrangeira, now not allowed to go back for half …
You bring out the angoleira in me
This poem was published in Caxixi issue n. 2, in March 2001. I found a copy in the FICA archives and it is just too good not to share! …
A magia da capoeira (The magic of capoeira)
I love the way capoeira undoes everything that a desk job does to my body. Arriving at class, my back is stiff, my muscles atrophied, my eyes strained, my …
Consumers vs. creators of culture
Just before my departure from NY, a bunch of us went to a concert with Brazilian musician Jair Oliveira. One of our friends – from Bahia – was excited …