This morning as I walked past the high school next to our apartment, it was obvious that my 10-minute zen walk was ruined. For two gorgeous months I had the neighbourhood to myself. Strolling all by myself to work, thinking about nothing. It was just too late in the morning for the joggers and dog walkers but still early enough not to arrive too sweaty at the office. Then one Thursday morning my peaceful commute changed dramatically. I had to fight my way upstream between swarms of children getting dropped off or making their way to school by foot, bicycle or scooter. It was only when I noticed that the children were all wearing white shirts that I realized it was September the 1st. The date that Israeli school children return, usually*, back to school. This day is marked with ceremonies and welcome parties. As custom dictates in Israel, the usual dress for holidays and ceremonies is something white. For the first time in about 18 years, I don't have a child in the Israeli school
Those tailor fitted trousers doesn't just 'happen' There' re many things that I didn't know about living in Israel. The big things you more or less expect. Such as the seasons being upside down from those in the Southern Hemisphere. and thatChristmas day is just a regular work day here in Israel. It is however the small things that you don't know that makes you feel that life in Israel is a constant learning curve. Nearly everything that has to do with raising a child in Israel, you learn as your eldest moves through the Israeli education system. Parent-teacher meetings are held in the presence of the child. My eldest daughter's first-grade teacher must have known that 'overseas' children are not brought to these meetings and just said to me at my very first meeting: "Next time bring the child too." I also didn't know what the expected gift was for a bar/bat mitzva school friend. This is when you phone up one of the Israeli moms of