Friday, September 18, 2015
...And I forgot to write about how I didn't finish reading Wild, but placed it in the box I sent off to my Brother, because I don't want extra weight, and because even tjough it's about the trail, I had just read a gpod paragraph abd decide that would be good enough for now.
I had just read the part about the man in the car with the woman Sheryl Strayed got a ride with, and the man told about an experimwnt in France decdes ago, where some scientists tdied to get monkeys to draw, to look at a painting and copy. Abd finally one of them drew, but not the masterpiece he was supposed to, but rather the bars of his own cage.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Portland IV
Portland has been wonderful. Well, I should say Dominica has been wonderful, because she's the one who brought me to all these events, to meet all these people, to eat vegan food, to feel the vibe here and to get the feeling that Portland is my kind of place. If only it were a tad closer to Israel...
This morning we were photographed for a magazine called "Driftwood". It's a vegan travel magazine created here in Portland, and the founder and editor of it met us this morning to photograph us for either the facebook page or the magazine, for the section with photos and info on vegans from around the world.
I got to go to an extravagant drag show, a lovely dance performance, a vegan bar, vegan bakery, farmer's market, a really wonderful store called "New Renaissance". I got to meet Dominica's three bunnies, her ecovillage and her friends. I had the privilege of meeting Shalom, who is warm-hearted and attentive, who reminds me of Tehilla S., and who's into new age spirituality and Jewish Renewal. The three of us sat on the grass to watch the swifts, and later in the evening Dominica performed a meditative tea ceremony for the three of us. In my short time here in Portland I got to be present, to be truly serene and truly happy. I got to be inspired to the notion that once I'm back home I should be more active and more involved, and that I should uncover and release more of my spiritual tendencies and passions. I wanted to buy all the books in "New Renaissance" on new age religions and spirituality, on meditation and on how to appreciate life. I knew I couldn't afford any of them, and I want to believe that I will be able to find peace of mind on the trail even without the guidance of books; that somewhere inside of me is the resourcefulness and the ambition to be able to find it all by myself out there in the wilderness, and then also once I get back home.
I'm leaving for the trail in 2.5 days.
Vegan bar- Sweet Hereafter
Rosh Hashana
On Rosh Hashana evening I went to the Chabad house here in southeast Portland for the services and the meal. The next evening my third cousin Ari made a nice meal for us, and two of his housemates joined us and got to hear him and I doing some traditional Jewish rituals. (This photo is from erev Rosh Hashana, right before I left for the Chabad house.)
"Ten Tiny Dances"
Mir means Peace (in Russian)
Mir also means drop of water (in Hebrew) - so Miriam is a drop of water in the sea
(the second part of my name - Yam - means sea)
Portland III / In memory and in honor, with sorrow and with hope
This post is dedicated to Martz Chick and to all the animal liberation movements.
Only once or twice did I meet Martzik (Itzik Marziano) but I am very sad to hear that he is gone in the unknown abyss of death.
He was a devoted animal liberation activist. He put his heart and soul into saving the less fortunate species of beings.
"In every fight for Justice, there is a battle against the loss of sanity".
People are gathering now at his funeral. Among them are many people from the animal rights community.
This is a sad time for everyone. The world has lost a precious person.
We must not forget that at all times, every moment of every day, hundreds of thousands of animals are being hurt and killed. And we should not forget that or ignore that, nor cease to fight against it, until every cage is empty!
Cows, chickens, pigs, fish, animals in zoos, animals in circuses, dogs and cats in shelters, animals used for their fur, animals used for leather, animals in test labs whose eyes are burnt, whose cells are cancered and whose lives are a painful misery.
May we all and they all be free.
Only once or twice did I meet Martzik (Itzik Marziano) but I am very sad to hear that he is gone in the unknown abyss of death.
He was a devoted animal liberation activist. He put his heart and soul into saving the less fortunate species of beings.
"In every fight for Justice, there is a battle against the loss of sanity".
People are gathering now at his funeral. Among them are many people from the animal rights community.
This is a sad time for everyone. The world has lost a precious person.
We must not forget that at all times, every moment of every day, hundreds of thousands of animals are being hurt and killed. And we should not forget that or ignore that, nor cease to fight against it, until every cage is empty!
Cows, chickens, pigs, fish, animals in zoos, animals in circuses, dogs and cats in shelters, animals used for their fur, animals used for leather, animals in test labs whose eyes are burnt, whose cells are cancered and whose lives are a painful misery.
May we all and they all be free.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Portland II
From Wikipedia: "Effective altruism is a philosophy and social movement that applies evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to improve the world. Effective altruists aim to consider all causes and actions, and then act in the way that brings about the greatest positive impact.[1] It is this broad evidence-based approach that distinguishes effective altruism from traditional altruism or charity. While a substantial proportion of effective altruists have focused on the nonprofit sector, the philosophy of effective altruism applies much more broadly, e.g., to prioritizing the scientific projects, companies, and policy initiatives which can be estimated to save and improve the most lives.[2] Notable people associated with the movement include Peter Singer,[3] Dustin Moskovitz[4] and Toby Ord.[5]"
I got to hear Peter Singer a few nights ago in a town not far from Portland. Peter Singer, aside from being a founder and developer of the idea of Effective Altruism, is also an animals rights activist (and vegan). He is in fact one of the main founders of the whole animal rights movement of today with his book "Animal Liberation", which he wrote in 1975.
This is the website Doing Good Better:
A little disclaimer: Peter Singer wrote a whole book on Effective Altruism and I have not yet read it, so this post is the post of a "poor" person (poor with knowledge). I'm writing from the knowledge I acquired in an hour-and-a-half long session (lecture and then Q&A) with Peter Singer the other night.
It was so inspiring that I felt the need to write about it and spread the idea even before I get my hands on the book.
Some of the main points Peter Singer spoke about (some of these ideas are by his fellow Effective Altruists, who also wrote books or have websites): We can easily save lives of humans and animals, without much effort or much money. In a lifetime we spend around 80,000 hours in our careers, but much less time deciding what career to choose. If we chose a career that effectively helpful to the world, we would actually be spending 80,000 hours of our lifetime doing good, worthwhile work for the world. If we donated about a tenth of our income to charities, such as organizations helping prevent blindness in developing countries, we could easily save thousands of children from blindness (Matt Wage, for instance, went into a finance career to make as much money as possible, and only one year after graduation, had already donated $100,000 to effective charities). And of course, a course of life that can tremendously benefit people, animals and the world itself, and Peter Singer does not forget to mention this, is going vegan and promoting veganism. (If you want an extended understanding of how veganism benefits everyone, you can search online, or ask any knowledgeable vegan.)
I didn't go to the book signing line to talk to Peter Singer, although I probably should have. I should have told him that I'm from Israel and that the animal rights movement is Israel has really been taking off in the past few years, that Effective Altruism is an idea I'm sure many Israelis would be inspired from and that I think he should come to Israel to talk to us Israelis. I'm not in a high enough position in the Israeli animal rights world to be able to bring him to Israel myself, and I'm not associated with any one particular animal rights organization in order to propose the idea of trying to bring him, but I will definitely do something about this. Because this is wonderful and inspiring. It's an easy idea to spread, and if people realized how easily they could help the world, the world would be helped a whole lot more.
"If we admit that animal suffering is comparable to human suffering, then we shouldn't disregard that just because they are animals and we are humans."
**
I'm really liking Portland. Everything and everyone is Clean. That's the word that came to mind the other day when we walked through Portland's weekly Farmer's Market. Lush green trees framed the scene of clean sidewalks, clean people with clean clothes, walking in the park between vendors of fruits and vegetables and local farm products, baked goods, food and flowers. The people are young, hip and colorful. Kind of like many Israelis. Everyone seems nice, and not in a phony way.
My couch-surfing host is lovely. A few nights ago we went to a vegan bar, Sweet Hereafter, where I drank something really good but I forgot what it was called, and met some nice people.
We went to a drag show and a dance performance, a vegan brunch restaurant and a vegan pizza place. I'm probably forgetting some more things, but the photos I'll post in the next blog post will have tidbits from everything.
We went to a drag show and a dance performance, a vegan brunch restaurant and a vegan pizza place. I'm probably forgetting some more things, but the photos I'll post in the next blog post will have tidbits from everything.
I still have to get a few last-minute hiking stuff, and then in a few days I'm setting off on the Pacific Crest Trail with Bob and Cameron.
**
My aloneness is sinking in, but not in a bad way.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Portland I
Even though there was that middle-of-the-night self-diagnosis of a developing mental illness a few nights ago, and then a re-evaluation of that in the days to follow,
And even though I realized there was an array of lonesome and anxious emotions that filled my mind in New York
And even though I was insane and mad, and then calm again but still stressed, and even though there was more to write about my mental roller coaster,
And even though I thought the song was about me, and I listened to it as soon as I boarded the plane to Portland to hear the words unfold in my ears and heart, but later realized it didn't have to do with me, but the weather... And even though in New York there was sadness and frustration--
I am in Portland now, and here interesting and lovely things are happening, so in order to keep up with the pace of the unfolding events, and in order to not turn this blog into a long, tiring novel, I will leave the turmoil behind and write about Portland.
I landed in Portland two nights ago and my sweet third cousin (whose existence I discovered only a few weeks ago) picked me up from the airport and brought me to his big home of 7 housemates. He had made a bed for me and even gave me a towel for a shower (this is all better than what I do for my guests; but I do have the intention of being a wonderful host in the future, especially after being inspired by people like my cousin, and I will have a guest room with a comfortable bed that will always be made), and told me to feel at home.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face, content and much less stressed out than in New York.
I realize that I had to get out of New York to be able to breathe again.
In the morning I saw the branches and leaves and roses outside the window. The roof of the next house over, a bird on the roof. Without my glasses it was a flittering blur, but I heard it chirp.
I got up and took a shower, kind of hoping I wouldn't encounter the other housamates (because I'm not so good at sudden encounters), but remembering that my cousin earnestly said- Feel at home, so I did. After the shower, I took out a pack of oatmeal from my bag, took out the camping utensils and made myself a bowl of oatmeal in the Boy Scouts bowl my father had given me before I left. After the oatmeal, I left the house to walk to Steinman's Bagels and Coffee. My cousin said it's a cute place run by a really nice Jew that he likes.
I walked to the bagel place with a newfound glory. This was a new place for me, I've never been in Oregon before. The sidewalk was lined with rosebushes and other colorful flowers. The sun was bright and the weather was perfect.
I ordered coffee and a bagel, and was given a cup. The man handed me soy milk and indicated that I go make my cup of coffee over there, buffet style, at a long table against the wall with a big urn and bowls with various things inside them. I thought that was pretty cool, that you make your own coffee, but didn't really know what to do. I stood there for a moment looking around, wondering if I need to spoon out the coffee from somewhere, when a middle-aged, small, Jewish-looking Mr. Steinman came over and said "you look concerned." "Yeah, well, I'm from out of town and don't really know how it works."
He said "I'm from another planet." I said, "me too. I'm from Israel."
**
I sat with my coffee and bagel and just smiled out the window for a while, watching the calm road where cars only occasionally passed. I took out my drawing pad and started drawing the people sitting around. The guy I was drawing got up to leave but first passed by to ask if he could see. "I only just started, and then you got up." "Well, I like it." He said, and left.
I wondered if he was Israeli.
Some people here look Israeli to me, but I guess that's just because Portland has a hip, laid-back community, too.
**
After that I took a bus to the woman I'm couchsurfing with. I specifically searched for someone vegan to stay with, but didn't know I'd be coming to a really special eco-village in the middle of Portland. They are a small eco-community with a garden in which they grow fruits and vegetables, and with all sorts of other wonderful things.
The apartment is small and sweet, and what catches my eye the most are the Zen and Buddhism books and atmosphere. I still need to go to India someday, but maybe my understanding of Buddhism and my connection to it can start here.
"God Wants Nothing" engraved in a stone.
(In Israel, the outlook of God is usually one of two: Either the classical male God who commands humans what to do and not to do, or no God at all. I haven't yet come upon many new-age views of a broader God, in the sense of All and Everything, with No Figure, Who is All The Energies, and Wants Nothing, which is an outlook I am drawn to, but somehow I never manage to really explain it or develop the idea to its full extent.)
Last night we went to a lecture by Peter Singer, world-renowned philosopher, writer and animal rights activist.
I will write about that in my next post.
And even though I realized there was an array of lonesome and anxious emotions that filled my mind in New York
And even though I was insane and mad, and then calm again but still stressed, and even though there was more to write about my mental roller coaster,
And even though I thought the song was about me, and I listened to it as soon as I boarded the plane to Portland to hear the words unfold in my ears and heart, but later realized it didn't have to do with me, but the weather... And even though in New York there was sadness and frustration--
I am in Portland now, and here interesting and lovely things are happening, so in order to keep up with the pace of the unfolding events, and in order to not turn this blog into a long, tiring novel, I will leave the turmoil behind and write about Portland.
I landed in Portland two nights ago and my sweet third cousin (whose existence I discovered only a few weeks ago) picked me up from the airport and brought me to his big home of 7 housemates. He had made a bed for me and even gave me a towel for a shower (this is all better than what I do for my guests; but I do have the intention of being a wonderful host in the future, especially after being inspired by people like my cousin, and I will have a guest room with a comfortable bed that will always be made), and told me to feel at home.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face, content and much less stressed out than in New York.
I realize that I had to get out of New York to be able to breathe again.
In the morning I saw the branches and leaves and roses outside the window. The roof of the next house over, a bird on the roof. Without my glasses it was a flittering blur, but I heard it chirp.
I got up and took a shower, kind of hoping I wouldn't encounter the other housamates (because I'm not so good at sudden encounters), but remembering that my cousin earnestly said- Feel at home, so I did. After the shower, I took out a pack of oatmeal from my bag, took out the camping utensils and made myself a bowl of oatmeal in the Boy Scouts bowl my father had given me before I left. After the oatmeal, I left the house to walk to Steinman's Bagels and Coffee. My cousin said it's a cute place run by a really nice Jew that he likes.
I walked to the bagel place with a newfound glory. This was a new place for me, I've never been in Oregon before. The sidewalk was lined with rosebushes and other colorful flowers. The sun was bright and the weather was perfect.
I ordered coffee and a bagel, and was given a cup. The man handed me soy milk and indicated that I go make my cup of coffee over there, buffet style, at a long table against the wall with a big urn and bowls with various things inside them. I thought that was pretty cool, that you make your own coffee, but didn't really know what to do. I stood there for a moment looking around, wondering if I need to spoon out the coffee from somewhere, when a middle-aged, small, Jewish-looking Mr. Steinman came over and said "you look concerned." "Yeah, well, I'm from out of town and don't really know how it works."
He said "I'm from another planet." I said, "me too. I'm from Israel."
**
I sat with my coffee and bagel and just smiled out the window for a while, watching the calm road where cars only occasionally passed. I took out my drawing pad and started drawing the people sitting around. The guy I was drawing got up to leave but first passed by to ask if he could see. "I only just started, and then you got up." "Well, I like it." He said, and left.
I wondered if he was Israeli.
Some people here look Israeli to me, but I guess that's just because Portland has a hip, laid-back community, too.
**
After that I took a bus to the woman I'm couchsurfing with. I specifically searched for someone vegan to stay with, but didn't know I'd be coming to a really special eco-village in the middle of Portland. They are a small eco-community with a garden in which they grow fruits and vegetables, and with all sorts of other wonderful things.
The apartment is small and sweet, and what catches my eye the most are the Zen and Buddhism books and atmosphere. I still need to go to India someday, but maybe my understanding of Buddhism and my connection to it can start here.
"God Wants Nothing" engraved in a stone.
(In Israel, the outlook of God is usually one of two: Either the classical male God who commands humans what to do and not to do, or no God at all. I haven't yet come upon many new-age views of a broader God, in the sense of All and Everything, with No Figure, Who is All The Energies, and Wants Nothing, which is an outlook I am drawn to, but somehow I never manage to really explain it or develop the idea to its full extent.)
Last night we went to a lecture by Peter Singer, world-renowned philosopher, writer and animal rights activist.
I will write about that in my next post.
Monday, September 7, 2015
New York II
Almost two weeks in.
***
I'm flying to Portland in a day and a half.
I'm not yet sure how New York has been for me.
Maybe New York was good for addressing loneliness before I become really lonely on the PCT.
Loneliness in urban chaos like New York can be sad.
Loneliness when in the wilderness, I hope, can become serenity.
Sometimes I wake with a start in the middle of the night because I've been stricken with different fears about the hike: Maybe my pack will be too heavy, maybe I forgot to buy some crucial hiking gear. And then I lay awake and again my mind is a maze of anxiety.
**
But now I'm a little bit at ease. I have two more days in New York City and decided that they will be brighter. Today I'm meeting friend and cousin Yael, and hopefully after that I'll meet sister-in-law Kim. And I feel lighter. Maybe because the annoying intervention of my aunt in the upcoming trek has come to a final point; she bought a SPOT machine (connected to satellite and follows my tracks) for me to take on the trail, and I know that this will suffice her desire for involvement, because there's no more for her to do. So I am a little calm and a little less agitated. From this point on, I can be free.
I am looking forward to the trek and terrified of it. I don't really know what to expect.
I will be with Dominica in Portland and then with Bob and Cameron on the trail. Bob will be my family and friends during the 32 days together on the trail.
I just hope I'll keep up with his pace and that he won't get sick of me. After all, I'm not THAT interesting. I'm pretty much just a mess of scattered emotions and choppy thoughts. Will there be anything at all for me to share with him that will interest him?
**
I'm almost completely ready for the trail. All my gear is shoved into my 55 (+15) litre backpack (well, I can't say mine because it's actually a friend's. But, well, in any case nothing in the world is mine, and also everything is).
Most of the stuff I won't need on the trail I'm shipping off in a box to my brother in California. Clothes I'll need in Portland but not on the trail I'll send to him right before I start the trail in two weeks.
I've got a sleeping bag, tent, sleeping mat, (vegan) North Face hiking shoes, water "bladder" and water bottle, compass, trekking poles (I got at Kmart. As opposed to the other things which came from REI), rain clothes, hiking pants, two shirts and an extra pair of pants, sun hat, winter hat, gloves, first aid, small tools, hygiene, camping food which comprises of bags of mixed nuts and dried fruits, cheerios and powdered soy milk, instant oatmeal, lots of energy bars, crackers, and AlpineAire quick-cooking meals of rice and lentils or black beans for my dinners. Each of those dinner meals has about 600 calories and 22 grams of protein. My daily caloric intake will be around 3,000. I also have my hiking permit from the PCT association. Bug repellent. Camera. Solar phone charger. And a number of other small things I forgot to mention.
I still need printed maps, another litre of water, halva snacks, a whistle to scare off bears or cougars, and some batteries. Oh, and international and local postage stamps, if I decide to send off a postcard from somewhere along the way.
**
"The Bakery" (Long Sing Bakery) is a bakery here around the corner that my uncle spends a lot of time in. The woman who owns the bakery with her husband cooks meals and serves my uncle coffee or tea while he sits there and works on his laptop.
So I've been there a few times, and they have soy milk for coffee.
And they can make tofu with vegetables and rice or noodles, which I've eaten when we sit there for dinner. It's not the best, but it's good enough for me. I'm not picky.
**
Today was a good day. I met up with Yael and then with Kim, and with both I had a great time.
And then UJ and I spent time at the Bakery, talking and laughing.
I feel a little bit stronger.
I think everything will be okay on the trail.
32 days
Starting in two weeks.
But first- Portland.
Hippies, vegans, and a little less noise.
**
Some photos
(And if there's something nice about New York it's the parks):
***
I'm flying to Portland in a day and a half.
I'm not yet sure how New York has been for me.
Maybe New York was good for addressing loneliness before I become really lonely on the PCT.
Loneliness in urban chaos like New York can be sad.
Loneliness when in the wilderness, I hope, can become serenity.
Sometimes I wake with a start in the middle of the night because I've been stricken with different fears about the hike: Maybe my pack will be too heavy, maybe I forgot to buy some crucial hiking gear. And then I lay awake and again my mind is a maze of anxiety.
**
But now I'm a little bit at ease. I have two more days in New York City and decided that they will be brighter. Today I'm meeting friend and cousin Yael, and hopefully after that I'll meet sister-in-law Kim. And I feel lighter. Maybe because the annoying intervention of my aunt in the upcoming trek has come to a final point; she bought a SPOT machine (connected to satellite and follows my tracks) for me to take on the trail, and I know that this will suffice her desire for involvement, because there's no more for her to do. So I am a little calm and a little less agitated. From this point on, I can be free.
I am looking forward to the trek and terrified of it. I don't really know what to expect.
I will be with Dominica in Portland and then with Bob and Cameron on the trail. Bob will be my family and friends during the 32 days together on the trail.
I just hope I'll keep up with his pace and that he won't get sick of me. After all, I'm not THAT interesting. I'm pretty much just a mess of scattered emotions and choppy thoughts. Will there be anything at all for me to share with him that will interest him?
**
I'm almost completely ready for the trail. All my gear is shoved into my 55 (+15) litre backpack (well, I can't say mine because it's actually a friend's. But, well, in any case nothing in the world is mine, and also everything is).
Most of the stuff I won't need on the trail I'm shipping off in a box to my brother in California. Clothes I'll need in Portland but not on the trail I'll send to him right before I start the trail in two weeks.
I've got a sleeping bag, tent, sleeping mat, (vegan) North Face hiking shoes, water "bladder" and water bottle, compass, trekking poles (I got at Kmart. As opposed to the other things which came from REI), rain clothes, hiking pants, two shirts and an extra pair of pants, sun hat, winter hat, gloves, first aid, small tools, hygiene, camping food which comprises of bags of mixed nuts and dried fruits, cheerios and powdered soy milk, instant oatmeal, lots of energy bars, crackers, and AlpineAire quick-cooking meals of rice and lentils or black beans for my dinners. Each of those dinner meals has about 600 calories and 22 grams of protein. My daily caloric intake will be around 3,000. I also have my hiking permit from the PCT association. Bug repellent. Camera. Solar phone charger. And a number of other small things I forgot to mention.
I still need printed maps, another litre of water, halva snacks, a whistle to scare off bears or cougars, and some batteries. Oh, and international and local postage stamps, if I decide to send off a postcard from somewhere along the way.
**
"The Bakery" (Long Sing Bakery) is a bakery here around the corner that my uncle spends a lot of time in. The woman who owns the bakery with her husband cooks meals and serves my uncle coffee or tea while he sits there and works on his laptop.
So I've been there a few times, and they have soy milk for coffee.
And they can make tofu with vegetables and rice or noodles, which I've eaten when we sit there for dinner. It's not the best, but it's good enough for me. I'm not picky.
**
Today was a good day. I met up with Yael and then with Kim, and with both I had a great time.
And then UJ and I spent time at the Bakery, talking and laughing.
I feel a little bit stronger.
I think everything will be okay on the trail.
32 days
Starting in two weeks.
But first- Portland.
Hippies, vegans, and a little less noise.
**
Some photos
(And if there's something nice about New York it's the parks):
On the Staten Island ferry with Ariella
With Ariella
In Prospect park with UJ
Testing the tent
Another vegan restaurant :)
At home, pasta with coconut cream-mushroom sauce
and some really yummy green veggie
Drawing at Sunset Park
In the Bakery
Another vegan restaurant... With word bubble by UJ
Food for the trail from Costco...
Starting to pack up the resupply packages
(Disclaimer: The "Madras Lentils" aren't vegan in the end.
Returning them.)
Starting to pack up the resupply packages
(Disclaimer: The "Madras Lentils" aren't vegan in the end.
Returning them.)
...Spooning out the right amount into bags for each day
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