Hazon in Monterey

I lived in Monterey, California for two years and loved it. However, I transferred to the University of Colorado and had to leave behind an area I love and people I love even more. When I saw that Birthright Next, the partner organization of the one that paid for my trip to Israel last summer, was offering thirty scholarships to attend a conference in Monterey, of course I applied. Either there were very few applicants or I wrote some fantastic short essays, doesn't really matter which, because Birthright Next decided to send me to the Hazon Food Conference at Asilomar. It was focused on alternative food policy, sustainable and alternative energy, organic and local foods, health and well-being, and the Jewish community. I ended up posting on a ride-share board before the trip and made contact with another Birthright Next participant who just so happened to be on my flight from Denver, and we traveled together to the conference. Totally kicked his ass in War, by the way. The shuttle ride on 17 was memorable - I think our driver had trouble picking which lane to stay in, so she just decided to be in both at once. She also was enjoying her music a little too much - which actually was very enjoyable to me as well, but I wasn't tilting my head back and closing my eyes while I was driving an eleven passenger van.

Asilomar was wonderful. It's a beautiful place by the ocean in Pacific Grove, the Southern part of the bay, and feels like a summer camp because of the old, wooden buildings scattered amongst the trees and weird sea bushes. The first night I met new people and socialized, had some chinese food since it was Christmas, and watched a one-man show exploring the character of Elijah the Prophet. He incorporated yoga into his performance, and so of course later I attended two of the yoga classes he taught for the conference. Lucky for me there were several yoga classes per day which I took full advantage of and gained a strange reputation of being that girl who always had a yoga mat with her. It actually was a reliable conversation starter, and the friendly participants would sometimes walk by and ask how I enjoyed my yoga class. Well, I enjoyed them all very much. I also was able to get a souvenir yoga mat from the Birthright Next people so on my travels home I had two strapped to my back.

The talks I attended were compelling, the people extremely friendly, and I got a lot from the several days I was there. The Hazon Food Conference has grown enormously in the three years it has existed and I would love to go again, as I am sure most of the participants would. At the end I gave an embarrassing interview on camera for a women who works for a website that was covering the conference, and I am sincerely hoping it doesn't get posted. She asked me what I learned and I think I said something like "Well, I did a lot of yoga". I really enjoyed the people I met and spent time with - we took a nice bike ride to Lover's Point one afternoon, shared meals, and started a dance party. Micah, my travel buddy from Colorado, needs credit for being the DJ and standing alone in a large dark room for 45 minutes before our crew showed up, but I think he was dancing alone before the rest of us got there so the music wasn't wasted. Once six girls got on the floor and danced, people just appeared from nowhere and within no time there was a huge crowd. It was perfect to end a conference that seemed like summer camp with a slightly dorky and awkward but also hilarious and liberating dance party. I think we were always laughing; when my roommates discovered a large wet spot on their bed the last night for no apparent reason, when my inseparable pal Skipper commented on my yoga to all my friends, and of course when I went running on the beach and got knocked over by a rogue wave to be submerged while fully clothed and holding my iPod. I staggered out of the sea trying not to look at the many witnesses and turned at stared at the ocean in disbelief trying to figure out how to dry and iPod while all my clothes are soaking and the only thing nearby is sand and rocks. An elderly man approached me after a few moments and wondered if I was cold - he was bundled up in a scarf, hat and mittens on his morning walk. I laughed it off and told him I was more shocked that I was soaking wet than actually affected by it. Strange, people tended to approach me whenever I emerged from the ocean; the day before Skipper had come up to me after I had waded in calf-deep to insist he had to meet me because of my "bravery".

After the conference I got about 24 hours to hang out with Karen, Nicole, Ben and see a few other friends. I got to reveal some half-truths to a certain someone's boyfriend, which I'm sure will seem funny in time. It was great to see them before I leave the country although it was for a short time. We made stuffed bell peppers for dinner and while taking them from the oven, I dropped the entire tray. I stood there very worried while Nicole cleaned it all up, but since none hit the floor we ate them anyways. Karen is probably scrubbing the kitchen trying to get rid of the stray rice as we speak. Sorry guys.

Now I am home and have one week to prepare for Israel. This small trip to the Hazon Conference seemed like a preview of what might be in store for me for the next seven months; meeting a lot of Jewish people, learning new things, and sleeping in an uncomfortable bed. I welcome anyone's packing or travel tips, which may help me this week! Thanks to Micah for reminding to bring a toothbrush.