Man, what a day! I swear, Jaljulya really knows how to throw a curveball. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” LOL, boy was I wrong.
First off, I hit up the local café on HaShalom Street. You know, the one with the best coffee? Yeah, that one. I order my usual—cappuccino, extra foam, please! But the barista, this dude, he’s like, “Sorry, we’re outta foam.” Outta foam?! Like, what even is that? I’m standing there, half-awake, and he’s just smiling like it’s no biggie. I’m like, “Dude, this is a coffee shop, not a foam-free zone!”
So, I grab my coffee—sans foam—and head out. I’m walking down HaRishonim Street, and it’s packed. I mean, like, sardines in a can packed. Everyone’s hustling, and I’m just trying to dodge people like it’s a game of Frogger. Suddenly, I hear this loud honking. I look over, and it’s this guy in a beat-up old car, yelling at a pigeon. A pigeon! Like, bro, chill. It’s just a bird. But nah, he’s going off, and I’m just standing there, laughing my ass off.
Then, I decide to hit up the market on HaGolan Street. You know, the one with all the fresh produce? I’m strolling through, and I see this massive watermelon. I mean, HUGE. I’m like, “I gotta get that.” So, I ask the vendor, “How much for the watermelon?” He says, “Fifty shekels.” I’m like, “Fifty?! For a watermelon?!” I mean, I love fruit, but c’mon! I’m not made of money!
After that, I’m feeling a bit hangry, so I swing by this little falafel joint on HaTzofim Street. Best falafel in town, no cap. I order a pita, extra spicy. The guy behind the counter gives me this look like, “You sure?” I’m like, “Dude, bring it on!” So, he loads it up, and I take a bite. OMG, my mouth is on fire! I’m sweating, tears streaming down my face, but it’s so good! I’m like, “This is the best pain ever!”
Then, I get a call from my buddy, Yossi. He’s like, “Yo, meet me at the park.” I’m thinking, “Which park?” There’s like a million parks in Jaljulya! But he means the one by the old train station. So, I hustle over there, and when I arrive, he’s sitting on a bench, looking all serious. I’m like, “What’s up, man?” He tells me he’s thinking of moving to Tel Aviv. I’m like, “Dude, why would you leave Jaljulya? We got everything here!” But he’s all about the nightlife and the beach. I get it, but still…
As we’re chatting, this random dog runs up to us. It’s a scruffy little thing, and it just plops down at our feet. I’m like, “Is this your dog?” Yossi’s like, “Nah, but it’s cute.” So, we name it “Jalju” and spend the next hour just chilling with this dog. It’s like, the highlight of my day.
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring rain. I mean, like, monsoon level. We’re both soaked in seconds. I’m laughing, Yossi’s cursing, and Jalju is just sitting there, looking confused. I’m like, “This is the craziest day ever!”
Finally, I head home, drenched but happy. Jaljulya, man. It’s wild. It’s chaotic. But it’s home. And even on the craziest days, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.