I have written before about Taglit-Birthright Israel, a beautiful program that sends young Jews from all over the world to visit Israel for the first time for free. Yes, free! There are no strings attached, and no hidden agendas: the goal of the program is posted on its website: “to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants’ personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people.”
I am not sure people need much persuasion to get a free 10 day trip, but if you do you can check out this video, summarizing an evening of solo performances of monologues, spoken word and hip-hop inspired and performed by past participants, and directed by Vanessa Hidary, a.k.a. The Hebrew Mamita, of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam:
Make sure you check out the schedule for upcoming performances.
On my 2001-2002 trip to India, I spent a night in the city of Mysore in the state of Karnataka. In the evening, I dined with fellow travelers at the Parklane Hotel garden restaurant, and was taken aback by the dining instructions quoted on the cover of the menu. Obviously, I just had to borrow a copy – only to return it on my very next trip to India, if and when one should come by. It only took five years to get around scanning and uploading the thing for everyone to benefit.
Front cover:
Back cover:
Full transcription provided for search engine optimization:
Front: á la carte
Parklane Hotel
Drink, Dine, Dwell!BEST FAMILY GARDEN RESTAURANT IN CITY
2720, SRI HARSHA ROAD, MYSORE – 570 001
PHONE: 437370, 434340
FAX: 0091 821 428424
GUESTS ARE ADVISED TO BE WARY OF STRANGERS WHO MIGHT STRIKE UP CONVERSATIONS, AS THEY MAY LEAD TO UNPLEASANT OR RISKY CONSEQUENCES.
Back:
1. A gentle reminder that dishes are prepared after receiving the order and normally take twenty to thirty minutes, and for special dishes over fortyfive minutes should be allowed.
2. Dishes are liquors are subject to availability of commodities.
3. We take pride in the quality and quantity of the dishes and drinks served. Please do not bring in food and drinks of any kind for consumption.
4. We reserve the right to alter the rates without prior notice.
5. Sales Tax or any additional Taxes will be charged extra for food and liquors.
6. Sales are strictly on cash basis or with major Credit Cards. Please do not embarrass us by requests for credit.
7. Disposable vomit Bags are available on request in case of need, as a consideration to fellow diners.
8. We do our best to satisfy you. Please do bear with our short comings and inform us of same. "To err is human but to forgive is devine"s.
9. It is not our intention to take advantage of your satisfaction over a "Full tummy" or " fuddle-headedness"! May re quest you to please check your bills and bring any error that might have indvertently occurred to our attention.
10. Type of music played will be the sole choice of the management.
11. No music after 11pm.
12. Any unauthorized alterations in the bills may be brought to the attention of the management.
13. Candle lamps for the table will be provided on request.
14. Last order for both food and drinks should be placed when the bell is rung. Restaurant lights will be switched off half an hour after the bell is rung when the guests are requested to leave the premises.
Just came back from an amazing experience -- a ten day guided tour of Israel. I was one of five Israelis who joined a group of 42 young American Jews, in a free trip organized by a foundation called Taglit-Birthright Israel. They provide first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26. Taglit-Birthright Israel’s founders created this program to send thousands of young Jewish adults from all over the world to Israel as a gift in order to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants’ personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people.
120,000 150,000 160,000 180,000 200,000
250,000 people have already participated, so click here if you want to learn more.
On a whim, I decided to skip a return to the northern part of India and fly from Nepal to Thailand.
I arrived here two days ago and I have been floating on air ever since.
It's everything.
The people are beautiful (unlike my first choice of India) and the taxi drivers don't try to scam you and beg for more money.
They sing here on the street, you know.
Well… they told me they don't really sing for me, it's just that the intonation is so very strange and funny.
It's impossible to explain in an email, but whoever has been here knows _exactly_ what I'm talking about.
([Name redacted], it's _exactly_ how you said it will be).
They linger at the end of each word, and it sounds just like singing.
Sawatdee kaa
Kop khun kaa
And their English! Oh, their English.
Cannot, Misteeeer. Cannoooot.
Losing money.
No hab.
Two days here, and I'm already in love.
Whoever said Khaosan Road is dirty – whoever said Bangkok is stinky, obviously never been to India.
In my eyes, it is heaven.
THEY HAVE SIDEWALK HERE!
Lots of BKK smiles,
Shahar.
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a God in every golden cloister
And if you're lucky then the God's a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
"One Night in Bangkok" — Murray Head — The musical "Chess"
