Already in-tune with the world of suitcases and packing, my niece helped me pack last Thursday.

I too have landed back in Israel.

It’s overwhelming to think about.  In some ways it is very odd.  Things are much more familiar than I was expecting.  It feels as if a lifetime has passed since I was here as a student, but at random moments during the day, it’s almost as if I was never gone.  This was most noticeable as I walked into the city yesterday.  At different times I was asked questions in Hebrew or Arabic.  Without thinking, I answered in the appropriate language.  Only a few steps later did I realize that it didn’t even process in English.  It was just a reaction.  Weird, eh?  To be truthful, that only happened a couple of times.  Most of the time I had no clue what the question or phrase actually meant.

I’m still a stranger here.

Fortunately my secret stash of caffeinated treats reminds me of home.

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