The Biweekly Update From Ira's Intercontinental March on Freedom #5

Shana Tova, The top three three updates from the last two weeks were: <ol> <li>Working in the winery - not only did I learn how to cork wine bottles which uses a pretty nifty mechanism to squeeze the cork tight and then push it into the bottle all with one movement of a <a href = "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mx4W0sjGP8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crank</a> (though it can easily be confused with a medieval torture apparatus) but we sampled each wine and then split the half bottle that was left over at the end of the day. As the Mexican guy who's been here for 28 years couldn't stop saying that day, andale (come on).</li> <li>Realizing that I'm a cat in the workplace (and probably beyond) - the small taste of employment liberty that I tasted from the one day in the winery in combination with an excellent debrief with the wifi guy here afterwards helped me realize that the workplace is composed of cats and dogs. Though both cats and dogs are willing to get the job done, some people are thrilled to be told exactly how to complete a task and there are others for whom it would be easier to turn water into wine than get them to complete something as prescribed. After having variations of this conversation around here for a few weeks now this kibbutz seems to draw people who feel freest when they don't have to think too much and can instantly be of use which feels like the 9th ring of hell for me; it's a helpful distinction which I hope will guide me as I navigate my return to the workforce.</li> <li>Playing the piano for Rosh Hashanah last night - I got put on the first night/day Rosh Hashanah dinner/breakfast crew which was cool until it wasn't; before it got toxic we rehearsed and played this <a href = "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Suauxlih4Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener">song</a> which was fun because I don't usually get to accompany and play with other instrumentalists and they asked for it in a different key/kept changing the arrangement which were cool challenges and it all came out really well.</li> </ol> I know when the time comes in two weeks I'll be ready to go because I'm already ready to get the hell out of here - I'm longing for liberty cakes (how Evan Sandy and I refer to iHop pancakes) and if I have to hear about one more person's intentions I might lose it. Even so it will be cool to keep celebrating the holidays with so many Israelis, there's still all-you-can-eat for every meal, and Saturday night hoops endures. The first picture shows where I'm staying and the second is the dining hall. Hasta luego, Ira <a href = "https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HGZwq4WH3uOr3TZyxzA1fwpv3ErOHcKx?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" >Photos</a>