Tel Aviv

This week, I took a break from research and decided to explore different cities in Israel. The picture above shows a typical pomegranate juice stand. I've seen these all around Israel, in Akko, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, etc. The stand owners pull cooled pomegranates from a freezer box and juice the fruits right in front of you. It's very refreshing.

Akko

In Akko, I was surprised to find a network of medieval buildings reflecting the ancient role of Israeli cities in the Mediterranean region.

World Cup

This was definitely a highlight of my time in Israel. In the U.S., while football is still the country's most famous sport, it actually refers to something different than it does in the rest of the world. Working on my data analysis at night in an international dorm with thin walls and open windows, I heard cheers ringing out in flats above and below as different countries scored goals. I watched some games with my flatmates as well, supporting their countries. It was a very unifying experience and I admired the patriotism these students possessed despite immersion in a completely new culture.