It’s hard to explain to people who don’t live here what it means to live in a community like this. And I don’t just mean the community of Neve Daniel, the town of 450 families where I live.
I mean the larger community of Gush Etzion that has upwards of 50,000 people.
A few weeks ago, my appliance repair man (who I don’t know outside of the work that he does) came to the house to fix a few things. He was enamored of our new Honda and spent quite a long time discussing the car with me. He has had a similar Honda since 2004, and he was singing the praises of the car. He was telling me about where he takes it for repairs and how he has ensured the best maintenance.
Yesterday, while I was hanging out at Stella’s, the phone rang. I looked down and didn’t recognize the number. Maybe I would ignore it and keep talking? The little voice in my head said that maybe it was a school, or one of my kids borrowing a phone and needing something…so I picked it up.
And there was my appliance repair man.
“Romi,” he said. “I don’t really know what your husband looks like, but I’m in town and I see someone with your car who might be your husband. And he’s buying roof racks right now. But he’s not buying good ones, and I know a place to get much better ones.”
“Wow – thanks! But Josh is in Montreal right now.”
“Oh!” he continued, sounding relieved. “I didn’t know what to do. I really didn’t want to interrupt the sale and be mean to the salesman, but I was worried that you were getting something for the car that wasn’t the best thing.”
Shaking my head in amazement and giggling I said, “You are too much. Thanks! I can’t believe you took the time to call for this. But you don’t have to worry because it’s not Josh.”
“Ok good. I just didn’t want you to get something that wasn’t great quality. Well, let me know if you need anything for the car. I know where to get everything so you won’t get ripped off and you’ll get the best quality.”
Hanging up, I looked at Stella and said, “You’re not going to believe this one!”
Life in the Gush. Simply Amazing.
