A Lost Dog Can Always Find Their Way Home

Take the eight, get off at the last stop. 

          Not sure where the last stop was, I saw the market overlooking a huge quarry. As I got off the bus, backpack slung low on my right shoulder, my complacent face turned into a huge grin. I recognized where I was. I walked up the hill, to a bridge with yellow hand-rails. I know my way! I walk down the slope and approach Noa's apartment buildings which I haven't been to in two years. My step-by-step quickly turned into a strut. Unsure which identical apartment complex it was, I approached the most likely one. As I looked at the doorbells, I saw no last-name markers. However, the last one on the left was broken. Still? It's been two years, I'd figure they would of fixed it by now! I walked up the stairs. One set, two set, three. Knock. Knock. Knock. Bar, Noa's younger sister opened the door. "A lost dog can always find their way home," I said. It was met by a quick and happy yell and hug. I was home.

          Y'know, it takes that feeling of complete and utter relaxation to feel at home. Familiarity helps, too. Once Noa got back, we went around the old neighborhood as it all came back to me. That's the park we once hung out at. There's where the old zula (lounge) once was. Here is where I met up with her once, and over there Rachel and I met her friends. Two years older, her friends have scatter among the army and community service. But luckily, a few were home this weekend. We sat and laughed and talked about the army, music, politics, religion... like always. Told stories, shared anecdotes, funny things that came to mind. Better yet, by the second night, I was understanding most of their conversations in Hebrew. It came back to me much quicker than I expected, but of course with the sprinkling of "Ma ze __, b'ivrit"s. Coming back to the dorm was nice. To put my things down, to write this all up, but to go to Noa's and feel at home, while even so changed, made me realize I truly feel at home in Eretz Yisroel. And I mean beyond the over-all connection to the people and land and Jewish people.