Last Friday, March 11th 2011, couple of Palestinians man entered a house, a random house in the village named Itamar, they have slaughtered the parents and three of their kids, on of which was only three month old. Udi the father of the family was a friends of mine, we have served in reserve duty together, I guess this bring this story to be much closer to me emotionally and has a very strong effect on me. Udi was an educator he was teaching religious young people who just finished their army service, he emphasized the love of the country, democracy his philosophy was that we are all human been first and we must be good to each other. Even though Udi and I had different point of views on almost everything he always listened to what I have to say and shared with me his ideas not trying to convince me but letting me understand where he comes from. Thinking on his young boy that survived the attack trying to wake him up while he is bleeding on the floor is not giving a rest. In the name of any conflict any war in world as terrible as it would be I couldn’t imagine how a person can do such a horrible brutal act. Action like that will not bring the freedom the Palestinians nor will not bring the peace to the Middle East. Action of such just creates more hate rage at the extremist camps and eventually will lead to another clash between Israel and the Palestinians. I hope that the murderers will be found and will pay for their actions. I wish that the three kids that left among us with out parents will have life with no sorrow. I wish that at some point both sides will stop fighting our grandparents war that we are not sure about what we are fighting exactly and will start thinking about the future of our kids.
Truly all my other experiences are minimizing by this event. But they are memorable ones that I wish to share with and to have with me forever.
First, Cologne, Ever since I have met Philip four years ago he was telling me about the carnival in Cologne. He was saying how special and unique it is. How everyone is dressed up and partying 24/7 and drinking and drinking and drinking. However no words can actually explain what was going on in the little (big) city of Cologne and Brensberg. As soon as I arrived on Thursday night we went to a little local bar in Brensberg and saw everyone in all ages dressed up and smiling laughing and dancing. I kid you not this was going on for 3 days in a raw. During the day during the night beer beer and some more beer.
All over the place there is music and people partying. On Saturday night we went with his dad and some others to a traditional chapter (club) party. His dad was carrying a roll in the ancient club so went all dressed in customs to a huge hall with 3,500 people we got there at 6pm and left at 3am rivers of beers, live band went up one after the other. Every one was so nice and friendly like we knew each other for years.
I`m telling you, not Rio not Venice nothing compares. Cologne is by far the craziest carnival in the world. You must be there with a local to understand.
Last but not least, maybe one of the days I will not forget every in my life. As part of our program at MIB school of management we have a career development. In this program they are helping us to find internship or job oportiunities. At some point in the begening of the year I have showed an interest in Ferrari thinking this is just a dream that will never come true. However to make long story short, Alessandra which is the lady who`s responsible for the networking and to find us placements told me that Ferrari showed and interest, she said that they don`t have anything concrete to offer however they would like to invite me for an introductory interview. Off course I said that I still wish to go and this ended up being a smart decision. I took the train to Modena and from the shared a taxi to Maranello the home of Ferrari, once you enter the town you can feel in the air that this is a Ferrari town. The logo is everywhere and for every reason. There is Ferrari restaurant, Ferrari store Ferrari bakery what ever you imagine. And yes the ratio of cars to Ferrari in the streets is the highest I have ever seen. I have entered the factory and was excited to get the visitor tag, in order to visit the factory you must own a Ferrari and apply a request for a visit that is not always granted and very limited. I have met the head of the HR in Ferrari whom took to the whole nine-yard tour in the factory. I saw the assembly line of the 438 italia and the California that is on the same assembly line. What makes the responsibility of the employees even higher, I would mention that everything in the assembly line is being done be hand. Only one robot is taking part in the process and its for putting in the wind shields. Everything there is so perfect, other then that I had the tour and had lunch in the cantina that is not bad at all. Everyone either wearing fancy suits or Ferrari suits that made me really want one for my self. The interview went well, at this point of time when I`m writing this I`m not sure what will be the outcome but it doesn`t matter at all. After that I went to the museum of Ferrari, which is right next by. I saw all the old cars and the evolution of this amazing machine.
The highlight of the day was for sure driving a Ferrari, I got to drive the F430 spider, just sitting in car made me feel like the king of the world not mentioning starting the engine and getting on the street. The sound of the car is perfect melody the most amazing tune I have heard, once you sit in you feel like it was built for you, the mirrors where right in place, the chair is hugging you perfectly in place and the steering wheel is the perfect location and size. I got out on the road and hit the gas, it was few second before I saw that I`m on 120km/h and I had no desire to slow down. It was absolutely perfect ride 3rd gear and I’m flying 160km/h and the guy next to me is not even blinking so why not go more. I accelerated up to 190km/h and then relaxed, I was still in the city but it was stringer than me. At one point I was behind Alfa spider and I couldn` resist to take down a gear and to fly right by the Alfa and see it disappearing in the back mirror. This was a perfect day and a perfect experience that I will never forget.
