The last few days we started Ulpan. It's for four hours every day Sun-Thurs, and really intensive. We learn so much hebrew very quickly. My teacher is so great and funny, and I'm learning so much! But it's so hard to keep up. One day this week we went to the shuk after class, and got so many fresh fruits and vergetables for really cheap. This one man tried to sell us moldy cheese, and we told him "lo, zeh lo tov!!!" and hes like "this not good, you don't buy here!" and took it back. Me and Becca got a delicious pomegranite and devoured it in one sitting yesterday. It was sooo good. It's too tiring to go out after school, but one night we went to 'Mike's Place', to watch the football games, which didn't start until really late here. Other than that we've just been going for walks, making meals (I'm becoming a good cook!) picking up groceries, and studying with friends. One night we went to a sushi student thing at the student center and met the rabbi and his wife, and it was really nice. Rivky. the Rabbi's wife, said we could come to Jerusalem and stay with them for shabbos whenever. (She's hooking up wiht a place to go to this weekend in Tel Aviv). After that Becca and I went to Burgers Bar for some Dinner.
We really want to get out in the city more, so since today was our first day free since ulpan started, Becca and I traveled a bit and walked all the way from school, to tel aviv port, and down to dizengoff. It was so far, but we found a lot on the way! Tomorrow starts Shabbat, and I can't wait to sleep all day!
The last two days have been filled with non stop running around, shopping, getting things, exploring, and of course going out and seeing Tel Aviv! However, Friday night we slowed down a little and had such a nice 'omelet shabbat' it a friends room. We all got together, and pulled our limited resources together to enjoy light a candle, drink some wine, and eat challah. I was upset at first because I wanted to go somewhere for shabbat, like a synagogue, and even after calling the madrichim I found out that nowhere for students is even open until next week....kind of weird for Israel. Luckily we had this nice communal gathering, which reminded me of my friends back at home =].
Obviously, even if a synagogue isn't open in Tel Aviv, the clubs never close. Last night we went to a bar, which was holding a program for the 'buddy system' and Tel Aviv University. In the buddy system, students in our program will soon be paired up with israelis at the university, so that we can learn all about israel, hang out wiht israelis, and get to know the people and place so much better. I can't wait. The night at the bar was a segway to the program...it was so much fun because almost everyone from OSP was there, and so were a lot of Israelis studying at the university. I met this one guy serving the army who told me his best friend was killed last week, and it was his first night going out since. It was just so hard to hear that, because he was my age and I know I've never had to deal with anything like that. After the bar we had the taxi driver stop at Mcdonald's! I asked the guy working there if it was kosher, and he goes 'of course not, it's friday and we're open!' haha. Oh, also on the way to the bar, I'm proud to say I had a good conversation with the taxi driver in hebrew about the best way to get from tel aviv from jerusalem, bus or taxi, whats cheaper (he said bus) and where to pick up the bus...what days it runs, what time...i was so proud of myself!
MR. POT!
Today is Saturday, Shabbat (which has no significance in Tel Aviv). Becca and I went for a walk, trying to find a park near the school. We never found it, and on the way some guy told us if we get in his car he'll take us there...of course we didn't go haha...however, as we got lost, we managed to find the city bus station, which was good. We also found a pot lying on the side of the road. Becca and I needed a pot for the room, so we were gonna take it...but we decided it was too desperate haha.
Tonight we had a little dinner party and we cooked pasta....stirfry...eggs..we definetely need to go to the shuk. So tomorrow after our first day of Ulpan..(YAY HEBREW SCHOOL!) we're gonna go and get more stuff!
<3Hana
I love this place! Yesterday we went on a tour of the University and it was so gorgeous! There was palm trees everywhere and it was so big and beautiful and like a dream (and better Hartford!) There was a kosh Mcdonald's on campus!) Becca and I went down to King George street on the bus and the Carmel shuk to get food and on Dizengoff street, (we got a little lost), but it was a nice adventure. We went to this pizza place and it was yummmyyy.
Last night we went out to this bar on Disengoff and we had this like tube of beer, it was soo awesome. some of the bars id and wont let you in unless your 24. But it didnt matter because a lot of the Israelis thought we didnt look a day over sixteen!
Today we went bowling (so american). We got a free lunch with burgers and it was rly fun and tasty! It was awesome hanging out and meeting people and just having a good time! Then Becca and I shopped around for some more food; I tried to have a hebrew conversation, but in the Supersal they really dont know any english and its really difficult to have a conversation.
We made eggs for dinner! Then we talked to our roomate from teh West Bank. She told us how one itme she was shot just for walking,by the Israeli army. Itmakes me think a lot more about the arab israeli conflict, and how I have a false perception about it someitmes. Because shes so nice and she didnt deserve be shot for absolutley no reason.
tonight we went out to this club with this guy who works in real estate or something in israel. It was sooo much fun we drank and partied and met people. However, Israelis are pretty weirddd! We just got back, its like 5 in the morning! I really feel through meeting people I'm getting a nice taste of Tel Aviv. I'm trying to talk to a lot of people, israelis and people in my program, to try and find good places to go, and get a good feel of the Tel Aviv! My friend Asaf should be coming htis weekend, from Rishon Letzion! Yayy! I love Tel Aviv! Everyone and Everything is so wonderful and Awesome!
P.S I also got my hebrew placement, level E...we start ulpan sunday, we'll see how it is!
So I arrived in Tel Aviv! It was really scary being in the airport...im still awake from a day and a half ago. When I was waiting at the gate I wass really nervous to meet people, but I just sat down wiht a group of kids and met this girl Rebecca from California and who was so nice! When we got on the plane we switched seats so we could sit together...the plane ride was really long but i tried to sleep with a sleeping pill...didn't really work. Other than that it went by pretty quickly. We then landed in Israel and the temperature was really warm. We took coach busses from the airport to the university...I was worried cuz i had three suitcases, but their were counselors and bellboys to help. We got to the University and Rebecca and I wantedto room together so we told together so we told the madrichim that we 'requested eachother' and they screwed up. So we had to do a little barganing with people so her and i could be together, and with a little switharoo we got to be roommates! We met a few people then went out to the mall to get some stuff. This guy in the supermarket was trying to tell us everything in the store was a rip off and to order our groceries online...he wouldn't stop talking to us for like, 20 minutes.We have a really cool suitemate named Elyse, and a mysterious roommate who has not showed up yet...we'll see who it is. We met some friends and their roommate from Amsterdam, Alon who knows Tel Aviv well showed us to this schwarma place and it was soo yummy!
Tomorrow we have a really busy day with orientation stuff!
Yay!
So I know blogs are lame, thanks for everyone for rubbing it in. But, I'm doing this so everyone can see what I'm up to while I'm in Tel Aviv. (Because I know you are all so interested in my life =]). It will be hard to talk to all of you a lot with time difference and with being busy and all, so I will write in here as much as I can to keep everyone updated with my adventures =). If you comment I'll write back. I'll try to put some pictures up to, but for the most part that'll be on facebook.
(I'm putting pictures up so I don't forget what you all look like...haha jk)
Tomorrow my flight leaves JFK at 6pm, and I'm supposed to arrive at Ben Gurion at 11 am ish. I have three suitcases and I'm going to definitely break my back, NBD. I'm kind of nervous about meeting people, the flight, the jetlag...I don't even know what my dorm looks like or the school or anything. We have a schedule for the orientation on the 19th. I know I have to take a hebrew placement test for ulpan and stuff, but other than that the next few days are going to be a surprise.
The last few days we started Ulpan. It's for four hours every day Sun-Thurs, and really intensive. We learn so much hebrew very quickly. My teacher is so great and funny, and I'm learning so much! But it's so hard to keep up. One day this week we went to the shuk after class, and got so many fresh fruits and vergetables for really cheap. This one man tried to sell us moldy cheese, and we told him "lo, zeh lo tov!!!" and hes like "this not good, you don't buy here!" and took it back. Me and Becca got a delicious pomegranite and devoured it in one sitting yesterday. It was sooo good. It's too tiring to go out after school, but one night we went to 'Mike's Place', to watch the football games, which didn't start until really late here. Other than that we've just been going for walks, making meals (I'm becoming a good cook!) picking up groceries, and studying with friends. One night we went to a sushi student thing at the student center and met the rabbi and his wife, and it was really nice. Rivky. the Rabbi's wife, said we could come to Jerusalem and stay with them for shabbos whenever. (She's hooking up wiht a place to go to this weekend in Tel Aviv). After that Becca and I went to Burgers Bar for some Dinner.
