Kuchars Gone Kiwi

Well, Pesach shopping can be a nightmare in any city, but here’s a peek into what it looks like here in Wellington.   We’re told that the kosher store (a delightful windowless room in the shul’s basement) will be selling pesach items on the Sunday before first seder, for two hours. Well - that’s great! Here are my questions so far: What will be available? What are the prices? Will it be mobbed with people? Will there be Yehuda matzah? Like, seriously… Yehuda? Because that’s what I need. I don’t want Aviv. Will there be any wine? Last time there was no wine. Can I come early? Is there a chance some items won’t be available? When I asked these in the shape of a perplexed face I was met with a super polite, kind and cheerful response: It’s going to be so organized, don’t worry at all! So, I arrive at 12pm on the dot on Sunday, being told at the kiddish announcements the day before to not arrive earlier than 12. It’s mobbed. Should have got there early. Where did all these people come ...

Transportation Triptych by Ayala Kuchar 🛫 Three AM Sleepy, excited Yapping. Shushing. Crying.  Finally we’re on the plane, what should I do? Reading. Resting. Looking.  Antsy, boooooring Land! --- 🚶‍♀️‍➡️ Shabbos Long lasting, satiated Talking, Toasting, Singing Celebratory dinner’s over, time to walk home in the dark. Tripping. Crunching. Shrieking. Disgusting, revolting Cockroaches --- ⛴️ Bungaree Green, yellow Standing. Waiting. Not sunscreening. The ferry’s arriving, run to the top for a spot with the family! Laughing. Squinting. Burning?! Exhilarating, windy Cousins

Natan: So Katriel... where did you have your Bat Mitzvah and why? Katriel: I had it in Sydney because we moved to New Zealand. N: Hmm. Okay, but why Sydney? K: Sydney was somewhere I could do leyning . N: But you couldn't even do it at a shul there in the end. K: Yeah, well I could do it at my grandma's place. N: Aha. So for the people who came to the Bat Mitzvah, what would they have seen when they showed up? K: Well they would walk down a long hallway, and there's doors on the side and then they walked more and there were, like, drinks, in the living room, like to the side next to the TV. N: Mhm K: And then and then there was this like round table and it had crown rings on it, and crowns, and pamphlets that talked about my Bat Mitzvah. But then you kept on walking, and it was the kitchen to your left, and then you kept on walking and it was like the l iving room living room, that's where I had my Bat Mitzvah, where I leyned , and then just like you went outsid...

Well, here I am, on the other side of the world feeling the same feeling that I typically get right as my plane takes off from SFO for a vacation. We've been here two months, so I'm late getting this feeling, but here it is. And for the past 24 hrs it's been quite stifling.  It's that feeling of the-beginning-of-the-end of a trip. The gut-wrenching feeling that says: The anticipation part is over, now begins the part where you count down to going back to your regular life at home, so go have fun on your trip Natan, but remember - you're going home soon. I've spoken to some who think it's nuts that I usually get that sensation as soon as I leave home, but that's what happens, without fail. But, it didn't happen when we boarded our flight to New Zealand. It's here now, and I know why - it's because of the problem with Wellington. I really really like it here. I didn't know what Wellington would be like, but it's kind of dreamy. We all ...