8 years ago - in English
Autor: arinaalba | Publicado: 2016-01-25T08:08:00+02:00

This blog was all written in Brazilian Pt, but this post is in English exceptionally. Actually I've been thinking of changing it to English in order to share my experiences in the new life with my many friends who don't read Br-Pt, even if I'm not a native English speaker and I used to write better before. Let's see if there are feedbacks about it.
Now, the post:

8 years ago I was landing in the only place I've ever felt home in my life: Israel. All I knew in Hebrew were the numbers up to 20, and the days of the week. I couldn't do much with that of course. I had no idea what I'd go through. I was naïve or an idiot, as my friend Éva used to say. I couldn't understand so many things. I couldn't read anything, and when I found something written in English I felt amazingly happy. Despite all this, I felt that was my place. For the first time, my straightforward character was appreciated and understood.&nbsp;
I finally found those markets where people yell the prices of their goods in order to attract costumers (since my childhood I used to play I was a market seller yelling "2 for 10, 2 for 10. Come here! Look!"). Markets are the places I miss the most from Israel. I've always loved the noise, the smell, the talks with sellers, the interaction between them, and all that happens in those places where you can trade everything, including a marriage.
Despite all the things I didn't like so much (mostly related to people's behaviour) I've always loved the country, its history+traditions+holidays and my life there. I was never bored during all those years, not even for a day. Sometimes I was down or angry and just wanted to leave, but a few days after everything was ok again.&nbsp;
I can't really precise how much I learned during those 7 years.&nbsp;
Beyond Hebrew, Israel taught me so much about life. I became more curious, fearless, and learned how to think out of the box. I became more tolerant towards people (not because Israelis are like this, ok? Tolerance isn't very popular in the Middle East.) I erased many of my Brazilian prejudices. I became less selfish. I made great and unique friends I miss each and every day. I found out I love to open my house to my friends and cook for them. I learned how to become a party host. I met great people from all over the world, and I found out that's one my favourite things in life. I learned I am stronger and more focused than I thought I was. I became much more feminist. I learned how to ask for help and realised that suffering alone isn't always the best solution. I loved and felt loved by so many people. I confirmed I hate hiking, camping and all uncomfortable programs people like to do in nature. I confirmed monogamy definitely doesn't make me happy, and nothing makes me feel better than being single. I started to do volunteer work and had a deep pleasure in doing so. There's much more to say, but to make it short I believe in many ways I became a better person. And the most important thing: I became an adult in Israel.
No wonder I am so divided. I don't really feel I am back to Brazil. I feel I am on vacation, and I'll be back to Israel in a few months. Let's not talk about mentality... I feel a total alien when I face local mentality in my home town... much more than 10 years ago.&nbsp;
I am still very connected to Israel in everyday life. I still think in Hebrew, and incredibly I can read and write in this language much better than I did a few months ago. I'd like to understand what happened. I miss speaking Hebrew so badly :(
I left 9 months ago, and I still can't believe I did it. Do I regret it? Not at all. As a friend says, in Brazil even sadness is happier. Honestly I can't be unhappy in a country where alcohol is cheap, and there's so much sun. Now, I find Brazil amazing, and I don't feel like moving to any country on earth any time soon. There's a time for everything and every place, and the first season of Arina in Israel lasted 7 years. Of course I have plans to visit asap, but no intention to live there now. There'll be a second season for sure. When? Let Israel decided it for me as it did the first time.

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