Grandma, Schnitzel and Politics :: Personal Narrative Profile

Grandma, Schnitzel and Politics   I strolled the streets of Tel Aviv taking in the smell of heat up falafel mixed with the salty ocean breeze. I watched people hurrying, lunging for bus doors before drivers pulled away. Then I realized that if I didnt get to my grandmothers in x minutes, Id be late - an offense that could provoke the dreaded silent treatment. I ran from the beach to her apartment on Bet-Lechem street and flew up the steps two at a time, jumping over the Arab lady who sat scrubbing the floor. I arrived at the fifth story apartment breathless, wondering how the old lady climbed the stairs run foring five kilos of fruits and vegetables in each hand. She opened the door and squeezed me hard reminding me how she managed the stairs. She offered a wrinkled, rubbery cheek to kiss and then immediately ushered me to my place at the table, guarantee me that lunch was all ready.   I sat down and skimmed through her copy of the Post, vowing not to let her sucker me i nto a political discussion. She returned with the first course.   I made a chicken soup with canadelach special for you, she said. Grandma, next time write me a list, and Ill go shopping for you. She snorted, You know how to pick vegetables. Then, Ill just carry the bags, I offered. Darling, when I cant take care of myself, Ill write a big Shalom on the wall, she made a sweeping gesture indicating the whole dining way of life wall, and thats this Ill take all my pills.   Then on her feet again, she plunged out of the room with her gray head down. A minute later, she returned with a full tray of salad, tehina, fresh bread, schnitzel, peas, beer and apple compot. The schnitzel itself left little room on my plate for other food.   I also made blintzes for you special, darling because I know you love them, she said.   As I sat, she told me stories Id heard before. She told me how when she was a girl in Poland, they hadnt had cars yet. They rode in horse and carriage. An d when she came to Israel, the men stopped and stared at her. She told me for the nine-hundredth time that it was her father who had built the building we were sitting in.