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i am driving through heavy traffic on my way to work. the woman next to me slows down further, brings down her window and shouts across the road: "sarah!"
a woman across the road slows down her car, opens a window and says "Hi! how are you?"
"Good, and you? Have you heard about Esther?", she puts on a sad face.
"Yes, I went to the funeral", the other woman has a sad look as well.
"Ok, see you later!", they both smile and drive away.

To me, this little encounter is incredibly Israeli. First, they slow down traffic for a quick hello. second, within a second they go on to talk about death, and then it's all good again, and then they drive off.

that's how, on my first day in Israel, I knew I am home again.