This week began with an IDAN RAICHEL CONCERT!!!! The group is probably one of my favorite artists ever. They blend Ethiopian, Yemenite, Ashkenazi, Latino and other influences to create quite the group.
We went to the concert hall to be greeted by hundreds of other Diasporic Jews at this MASA sponsored event. MASA is a group that encourages Jews in the Diaspora to go on a long-term program in Israel much like myself. So, I, along with other Rothbergers walk in there and it felt like a USY/NFTY/NCSY/BBYO convention. People were running into people they knew from home. I ran into Eli from UMass and Sam K-Z, along with Mallory. Before we got into the actual hall there were strange clowns in fake store fronts laughing at us and trying to play circus games, I don't understand what that was about but I guess it was MASA's way of greeting us.
We got in there and were greeting by people from MASA, the Jewish Agency, a video of MASA participants like us and then a dance to welcome us. I thought it was strange since I've been in Israel for 3 months, that I was still being welcomed to the country...I think I've passed that stage already, but anyway. I kept feeling like I was in the US the whole time since that's basically the people that were there, it wasn't an actual Israeli concert. It was really exciting when the group came out. It was great they sang songs in Hebrew, Spanish, Amharic, and maybe other languages. We all loved it so much that we started dancing in the aisles and made a make-shift mosh pit in the front. When they played they're most famous songs: Bo'ee and mi'ma'amakim everyone sang along. It was a great night.
Then the week continued as usual...Hebrew on Monday, Tuesday had a bunch of classes. My Political Communication likes to pick on me a lot and others to answer questions, but I guess it's good to keep us on our feet.
In my Conflict resolution class we talked about Race relations in the US and got in a debate over whether America is Post-Racial or not. So, my teacher said...look what happened here, we had a conflict.
Wednesday, had a test in Hebrew, I think I did well. Thursday, had Poli comm again in the morning. Then I went to my Internship where I again tutored Amir, a Director there in English. He read some more and then had me read a little to hear "how it should sound"
That night...pitom (randomly) this guy walked into my apartment and said "Where's the guy from the Mechina with the beard?"I said "There's nobody from the Mechina here" and he said "Is this the 2nd floor", I said "no, it's the 9th"...he didn't believe me so he looked out in the hall and then out the window...realized that he was 9 stories up and not 2, apologized and left. Oh, Israel
Then Friday, Eric and I went to my Family in Nitzan (halfway between Ashkelon and Ashdod)
We had a really nice time there...I met them before from when I was in Efrat before. They spoke mostly in Hebrew so it was good to hear and I practiced a little. I went to Kabbalat Shabbat with them and could understand the gist of the D'var...It was about Abraham being the world's doctor performing Tikun Olam (repairing the world). So, My Hebrew has improved greatly from the first shabbat when all I understood was the Rabbi asking if someone was in the room.
When they were talking at their house I could pick up a lot more Hebrew than other family visits, but still not enough to jump in so they translated a bit to help. During the day they had some guests over with more Hebrew conversations. Some kids came by asking if their friends were in the house and I told them yes (all in Hebrew). So, that felt good. this was all in between reading Harry Potter. So, I had a nice conversation with my cousin (in English) and Eric for Sedua Shlishit (third meal) and then we went back to Jerusalem.
So, this ends October...and I can't wait for what Jerusalem in November, December, and some of January have in store for me. I can't wait for more adventures with friends, good classes, fun Annie rehearsals, more Shabbatot, and more family visits.
אני אוהב את ירושלים
(I love Jerusalem)
Shavua Tov! Have a good week!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
From the Exodus from Egypt to the start of classes
Shalom Chaverim! (Hello friends)
After I got back from Egypt I did a lot of resting and recuperating from the trip and also a lot of breathing since the air in Jerusalem is much more healthy than the smog of Cairo. I debriefed Alma on the trip who herself was going with a friend of hers to Cairo that week.
Then Tuesday a lot of people arrived back to Jerusalem and I picked up some books for the semester.
Wednesday, I had rehearsal for Annie! (It's in English) We still didn't fully know what parts we were. However, after doing another read through of the script I got the role of Bundles, the laundry man. It should be a fun part. We then learned a few songs and learned a dance routine for the directors to see what they had to work with.
The next day I was supposed to be going to the UMass Israel dinner but that fell through after a lot of people couldn't make it. So instead I had some people over my apartment and we all talked about our respective trips while a few of us played Shesh-besh (backgammon) It was nice to see everyone after our long 3 week break.
That Shabbat I went over Ryan's who made pancakes and then him and his new roommate had a guitar jam session.
Then Sunday classes started. The night before I had logged online to find out that I couldn't see my classes because I had "outstanding fees." So, I went the next day to talk to someone in the Undergraduate office who told me to talk to financial aid where I found a long line of people with similar issues. I was there for about and hour talking with Kathryne and Adam. I walked in and told the lady my situation and she checked the computer and said there was no problems...I guessed it was just a computer glitch. Oy vey!
So then I went back to my room and went to a 4:30 internship class. We all talked about our internships and what we wanted to get out of the class. It's basically a class that studies Israeli organizations with an internship attached. The conclusion of the first class was that Israeli organizations are a balagan (crazy mess). A lot of people agreed with this and told stories of going one place and then being told to go to another... oh Israel!
That night we had another Annie rehearsal where more people joined us and we learned music.
Monday I had the first day of Hebrew class in Bet. It was with a lot of Rothberg people at first. Then, one by one Nativ (Freshman students from the US Conservative movement) came into the class until there were no seats. So, when the last person walked in the teacher said to him: אתה רוצה לשבת בחולן
Do you want to sit on the window?
That afternoon I had a meeting at the Ethiopian National Project where we discussed a fundraising drive back at UMass and working with teenagers at a Youth Outreach center, maybe teaching them drama.
So then I went back to my apartment and then at night I went to a Beit Midrash opening BBQ and concert. It was nice... saw a lot of people from Rothberg and such and the band was good as well.
Tuesday I had my long day... had class at 8:30 which was Political Communication in Israel. The professor has an interesting sense of humor. He was taking attendance and asking us where we were from etc. When I told him I was from Boston he said..."are you a Red Sox fan?" and I said yes and then he told me he was a Yankees fan. So, even in Israel the rivalry continues. His syllabus was one of the most humorous I've ever read:
"The reading Load averages 90-100 pages a week. However, the readings are not meant to replace scintillating lectures- replete with anecdotal jems -- which serve as an integral portion of the course. Indeed, the lectures and guest lecture--- which cover material not found in the course reader or text books-- are what distinguishes this class from others. Students who want to take long weekends in Eilat will lose out on material crucial for their own enrichment as well as examination scores"
-Prof. Michael Widlanski
That reflects his sense of humor as well...he likes poking fun at news media and such and cracking interesting jokes. Kind of reminds me of Prof. Ferraro from World Politics back at UMass. The class should be interesting we will look at the Israeli media and how politics plays into it since most Israelis are always watching/listening to the חדשות (chadashot, news).
After that I had Hebrew which was split into two since the class was so large and many Rothbergers went to the other class and I stayed with a few others along with Nativers.
Then I had Jews and Palestinians in Israel: Identities in conflict in dialogue, which I have dubbed many other names such as "Alma an Yitz in Israel: roommates in conflict and dialogue" or "Rand and Josh in Amherst: Interns in conflict and dialogue"
Anyway, in then class we study the conflict (Israeli-Palestinian) and approaches to resolving it. We all went around on the first class and talked about our relation to the conflict. I talked about the divestment issue that was brought to the Student Government Association at UMASS. I also talked about how SAFI (Umass Student Alliance for Israel) wanted to have a dialogue with CAN and others and it didn't work...and I wish people could have civil dialogues about it...maybe then things would look better.
So, the class is mainly discussion based and the prof is laid back, kind of reminds me of Noemi, my Hebrew teacher at UMass.
When someone asked the professor what the final paper was about she nonchalantly said "eh, you pick something you like in the class and you right about it. 10 maybe 20 pages, beseder?" (add Israeli accent). I've grown accustomed to that teachings style while in Israel.
Then after that we had a long break and then started the conflict class again and talked more about the conflict.
When I got back Jenny came over to visit and we all caught up. We then had a roommate meeting.
The next day I had Hebrew in the morning where I had a mini-quiz to see if I was in the right class.
At night I went to the Hillel opening event where I won a CD and a chocolate. After that we had Annie rehearsal, where we sang and then blocked my scene.
Thursday, I went to another Political Comm class where we looked at Israeli newspapers and learned that NBC stands for Nothing but crap and CNN= Certainly Not News.
Then after that I went to my internship where I tutored a staff member at the office on his English. He read something and I corrected him and explained meanings of words, which was difficult because they were not easy words...so It was hard for me to explain it, but it worked. After that I talked to someone else about working at a Youth Outreach Center teaching drama and they found out someone else was interested in doing the same. Maybe we can work together and overcome the language barrier, which I've been a bit worried about. I also e-mailed a few people about fundraising for ENP back at UMass... It seems like there is some interest and hopefully it will take off.
Then yesterday night I went over Ryan's with Eric and schmoozed with him and Marrisa, Sam, Max and the new roommate Dai.
So, here we are.
This week classes resume and Sunday I'm going to an Idan Raichel concert!!!
L'hitraot.
After I got back from Egypt I did a lot of resting and recuperating from the trip and also a lot of breathing since the air in Jerusalem is much more healthy than the smog of Cairo. I debriefed Alma on the trip who herself was going with a friend of hers to Cairo that week.
Then Tuesday a lot of people arrived back to Jerusalem and I picked up some books for the semester.
Wednesday, I had rehearsal for Annie! (It's in English) We still didn't fully know what parts we were. However, after doing another read through of the script I got the role of Bundles, the laundry man. It should be a fun part. We then learned a few songs and learned a dance routine for the directors to see what they had to work with.
The next day I was supposed to be going to the UMass Israel dinner but that fell through after a lot of people couldn't make it. So instead I had some people over my apartment and we all talked about our respective trips while a few of us played Shesh-besh (backgammon) It was nice to see everyone after our long 3 week break.
That Shabbat I went over Ryan's who made pancakes and then him and his new roommate had a guitar jam session.
Then Sunday classes started. The night before I had logged online to find out that I couldn't see my classes because I had "outstanding fees." So, I went the next day to talk to someone in the Undergraduate office who told me to talk to financial aid where I found a long line of people with similar issues. I was there for about and hour talking with Kathryne and Adam. I walked in and told the lady my situation and she checked the computer and said there was no problems...I guessed it was just a computer glitch. Oy vey!
So then I went back to my room and went to a 4:30 internship class. We all talked about our internships and what we wanted to get out of the class. It's basically a class that studies Israeli organizations with an internship attached. The conclusion of the first class was that Israeli organizations are a balagan (crazy mess). A lot of people agreed with this and told stories of going one place and then being told to go to another... oh Israel!
That night we had another Annie rehearsal where more people joined us and we learned music.
Monday I had the first day of Hebrew class in Bet. It was with a lot of Rothberg people at first. Then, one by one Nativ (Freshman students from the US Conservative movement) came into the class until there were no seats. So, when the last person walked in the teacher said to him: אתה רוצה לשבת בחולן
Do you want to sit on the window?
That afternoon I had a meeting at the Ethiopian National Project where we discussed a fundraising drive back at UMass and working with teenagers at a Youth Outreach center, maybe teaching them drama.
So then I went back to my apartment and then at night I went to a Beit Midrash opening BBQ and concert. It was nice... saw a lot of people from Rothberg and such and the band was good as well.
Tuesday I had my long day... had class at 8:30 which was Political Communication in Israel. The professor has an interesting sense of humor. He was taking attendance and asking us where we were from etc. When I told him I was from Boston he said..."are you a Red Sox fan?" and I said yes and then he told me he was a Yankees fan. So, even in Israel the rivalry continues. His syllabus was one of the most humorous I've ever read:
"The reading Load averages 90-100 pages a week. However, the readings are not meant to replace scintillating lectures- replete with anecdotal jems -- which serve as an integral portion of the course. Indeed, the lectures and guest lecture--- which cover material not found in the course reader or text books-- are what distinguishes this class from others. Students who want to take long weekends in Eilat will lose out on material crucial for their own enrichment as well as examination scores"
-Prof. Michael Widlanski
That reflects his sense of humor as well...he likes poking fun at news media and such and cracking interesting jokes. Kind of reminds me of Prof. Ferraro from World Politics back at UMass. The class should be interesting we will look at the Israeli media and how politics plays into it since most Israelis are always watching/listening to the חדשות (chadashot, news).
After that I had Hebrew which was split into two since the class was so large and many Rothbergers went to the other class and I stayed with a few others along with Nativers.
Then I had Jews and Palestinians in Israel: Identities in conflict in dialogue, which I have dubbed many other names such as "Alma an Yitz in Israel: roommates in conflict and dialogue" or "Rand and Josh in Amherst: Interns in conflict and dialogue"
Anyway, in then class we study the conflict (Israeli-Palestinian) and approaches to resolving it. We all went around on the first class and talked about our relation to the conflict. I talked about the divestment issue that was brought to the Student Government Association at UMASS. I also talked about how SAFI (Umass Student Alliance for Israel) wanted to have a dialogue with CAN and others and it didn't work...and I wish people could have civil dialogues about it...maybe then things would look better.
So, the class is mainly discussion based and the prof is laid back, kind of reminds me of Noemi, my Hebrew teacher at UMass.
When someone asked the professor what the final paper was about she nonchalantly said "eh, you pick something you like in the class and you right about it. 10 maybe 20 pages, beseder?" (add Israeli accent). I've grown accustomed to that teachings style while in Israel.
Then after that we had a long break and then started the conflict class again and talked more about the conflict.
When I got back Jenny came over to visit and we all caught up. We then had a roommate meeting.
The next day I had Hebrew in the morning where I had a mini-quiz to see if I was in the right class.
At night I went to the Hillel opening event where I won a CD and a chocolate. After that we had Annie rehearsal, where we sang and then blocked my scene.
Thursday, I went to another Political Comm class where we looked at Israeli newspapers and learned that NBC stands for Nothing but crap and CNN= Certainly Not News.
Then after that I went to my internship where I tutored a staff member at the office on his English. He read something and I corrected him and explained meanings of words, which was difficult because they were not easy words...so It was hard for me to explain it, but it worked. After that I talked to someone else about working at a Youth Outreach Center teaching drama and they found out someone else was interested in doing the same. Maybe we can work together and overcome the language barrier, which I've been a bit worried about. I also e-mailed a few people about fundraising for ENP back at UMass... It seems like there is some interest and hopefully it will take off.
Then yesterday night I went over Ryan's with Eric and schmoozed with him and Marrisa, Sam, Max and the new roommate Dai.
So, here we are.
This week classes resume and Sunday I'm going to an Idan Raichel concert!!!
L'hitraot.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Egypt
Hello again!
After the last entry, I was on my way to Egypt.
It all began in Tel Aviv, we had to go there to get our visas at the Egyptian consulate.
We got there with applications in hand that were filled out and pictures printed off the computer, which the guy said was not good enough. He pointed us in the direction of a place to get pictures, and then another person waiting for Visas told us how to get there. Well, that didn't work because we couldn't find the place at first. We asked a guy at the post office who told us one way which was wrong so we then went into a small store and asked a lady where to get the pictures and she pointed us in in another wrong direction. We then went into a place where a guy told us an address of a photo shop. At this point I think it was a little after 10... and the Consulate closed at 11 so we started to run. We got there got the photos and ran back to the consulate.
When we got to the window the guy told us that we needed to fill out another form and copy it, our passports and Student IDs...so John ran to a nearby copy place and came back. We then shoved our application stuff and money into the booth since it was 11 and the guy was closing the window right then and there. As he did that he said "come back tomorrow for the visas." I guess that's Egypt's way of welcoming guests.
After that we ate at a restaurant that we ate at the last time were were in Tel Aviv and then went back to Jerusalem only to come back to Tel Aviv the next day.
We got back to Tel Aviv and easily picked up our visas and then took a taxi to the Bus station. The taxi driver was showing us pictures of himself in the Army and telling us all about the nice calm water of Eilat...only in Israel. We then took the long 5ish hour bus ride to Eilat, crossed the border into Taba, Egypt and then got ripped off on a private trip to our hostel in Dahab. We figured it was the safest way, but a bit pricey. If you go, don't use Max.
As we drove to Dahab...I was struck at how different it was than Israel. It seemed more barren and not as modern. There were multiple checkpoints that were manually operated, and there were a lot of police everywhere.
We eventually got to the hostel and they offered us chilled hibiscus tea at their restaurant which was right beside the Red Sea. It was such a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere...which was really nice after the whole crazy Balagan of getting there.
The next day we relaxed at the restaurant,walked along the shore, went to the nearby market, i got some sandals and then we had dinner. It was a very relaxing time.
The next day we took a long bus ride to Cairo and got in at night at the Juliana Hostel.
Cairo is an absolute mess. The city is extremely smoggy and smelly, and the traffic is a mess. In order for someone to turn or merge into traffic they have to honk their horn so that the other drivers know they exist. so, on the streets you have massive amounts of traffic with massive amounts of honking all surrounded by smog.
Bottom line: Cairo is a nice place to visit and see some history, but I would not want to live there, oy.
We then woke up the next morning and went on a tour of the Egyptian Museum, organized by our hostel, where we saw relics from King Tut's tombs, some mummies, including one of a dog. From there we went to Old Cairo/Coptic Cairo.
We went into the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which was just a museum... no davening (praying) takes place there anymore since there aren't many Jews left in Egypt. It was an interesting site to see. It was a little weird that it was just a museum... a place where tourists can see where Jews used to pray. Most Jews made aliyah from Egypt because of Anti-Semitism. This made me appreciate Israel even more.
After this we visited a church and a mosque. The mosque was the first one that I've been in, so it was an interesting site to see. We all had to take our shoes off, walked around and took some pictures.
From there we went to the market area, where I bought a t-shirt. When I paid for it the guy noticed I had Shekels and he took that instead of pounds he then asked me, "is your nationality Jewish?" and I said "yes" and then he said "you're people are great but your government is crazy." oy, yeah, the Knesset is a balagan (crazy)...he got that one there. So, then he gave me a free pyramid souvenir and wished me a, "how do you say it, shalom?"
After all that we went back to our hostel relaxed and then went out to eat at a Pizza Hut of all places.
The next day we went to see the pyramids! As we got closer we could start to see them more through the smog and they were impressive! It was awesome to see things we've only read about in textbooks. We walked along the steps of the great pyramid (the only surviving wonder of the seven wonders of the ancient world). We then went in the "second pyramid". We got into the pyramid saw the empty sarcophagus and then left. It was basically... yeah! we're in a pyramid! now, let's go it's too hot in here!
When we got out there was a guy who was offering to take us around the pyramids on a camel. After going back and forth we figured it was worth it. It was a bumpy ride, much like when I rode a camel with Bedouins when I was in Israel in 2006. We got to a spot where you could see all of the pyramids and then we got our pictures taken. We then saw the sphinx where we posed as if we were kissing and punching the sphinx. After that we went to another museum with statues of Pharaohs and the like and the we went back to the hostel.
The next day we spent most of the day relaxing, talking religion, and then we went to a dinner cruise on the Nile. We had great food, and there was some great entertainment. A belly dancer included. It was also nice to cruise along and see Cairo at night (at least you couldn't see the smog).
The next day we relaxed and at night went for a walk and found a Chili's to eat at. There were free refills so we all decided this was the right place! (most places in Israel and Egypt don't have free refills).
The next day we took a long bus ride to the Israel-Egypt border in Taba where we met and schmoozed with some Canadian tourists. When we got to the border the driver yelled "TABA BORDER YALA TABA BORDER YALA" continuously...even as we were getting our luggage from below. (yala in Arabic/Hebrew means let's go...at least in this case)
From there Eric and I went back to Jerusalem and John and Ryan continued onto Jordan.
So, I got back to Jerusalem and unpacked. I also met our new roommate, Andrea from Germany. She's in the Graduate program here.
So, I've mostly been relaxing after the adventure in Egypt. That's all for now!
Rehearsal for Annie this week, along with a UMass in Israel reunion and then the semester starts next week, look for more later
L'hitraot!
After the last entry, I was on my way to Egypt.
It all began in Tel Aviv, we had to go there to get our visas at the Egyptian consulate.
We got there with applications in hand that were filled out and pictures printed off the computer, which the guy said was not good enough. He pointed us in the direction of a place to get pictures, and then another person waiting for Visas told us how to get there. Well, that didn't work because we couldn't find the place at first. We asked a guy at the post office who told us one way which was wrong so we then went into a small store and asked a lady where to get the pictures and she pointed us in in another wrong direction. We then went into a place where a guy told us an address of a photo shop. At this point I think it was a little after 10... and the Consulate closed at 11 so we started to run. We got there got the photos and ran back to the consulate.
When we got to the window the guy told us that we needed to fill out another form and copy it, our passports and Student IDs...so John ran to a nearby copy place and came back. We then shoved our application stuff and money into the booth since it was 11 and the guy was closing the window right then and there. As he did that he said "come back tomorrow for the visas." I guess that's Egypt's way of welcoming guests.
After that we ate at a restaurant that we ate at the last time were were in Tel Aviv and then went back to Jerusalem only to come back to Tel Aviv the next day.
We got back to Tel Aviv and easily picked up our visas and then took a taxi to the Bus station. The taxi driver was showing us pictures of himself in the Army and telling us all about the nice calm water of Eilat...only in Israel. We then took the long 5ish hour bus ride to Eilat, crossed the border into Taba, Egypt and then got ripped off on a private trip to our hostel in Dahab. We figured it was the safest way, but a bit pricey. If you go, don't use Max.
As we drove to Dahab...I was struck at how different it was than Israel. It seemed more barren and not as modern. There were multiple checkpoints that were manually operated, and there were a lot of police everywhere.
We eventually got to the hostel and they offered us chilled hibiscus tea at their restaurant which was right beside the Red Sea. It was such a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere...which was really nice after the whole crazy Balagan of getting there.
The next day we relaxed at the restaurant,walked along the shore, went to the nearby market, i got some sandals and then we had dinner. It was a very relaxing time.
The next day we took a long bus ride to Cairo and got in at night at the Juliana Hostel.
Cairo is an absolute mess. The city is extremely smoggy and smelly, and the traffic is a mess. In order for someone to turn or merge into traffic they have to honk their horn so that the other drivers know they exist. so, on the streets you have massive amounts of traffic with massive amounts of honking all surrounded by smog.
Bottom line: Cairo is a nice place to visit and see some history, but I would not want to live there, oy.
We then woke up the next morning and went on a tour of the Egyptian Museum, organized by our hostel, where we saw relics from King Tut's tombs, some mummies, including one of a dog. From there we went to Old Cairo/Coptic Cairo.
We went into the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which was just a museum... no davening (praying) takes place there anymore since there aren't many Jews left in Egypt. It was an interesting site to see. It was a little weird that it was just a museum... a place where tourists can see where Jews used to pray. Most Jews made aliyah from Egypt because of Anti-Semitism. This made me appreciate Israel even more.
After this we visited a church and a mosque. The mosque was the first one that I've been in, so it was an interesting site to see. We all had to take our shoes off, walked around and took some pictures.
From there we went to the market area, where I bought a t-shirt. When I paid for it the guy noticed I had Shekels and he took that instead of pounds he then asked me, "is your nationality Jewish?" and I said "yes" and then he said "you're people are great but your government is crazy." oy, yeah, the Knesset is a balagan (crazy)...he got that one there. So, then he gave me a free pyramid souvenir and wished me a, "how do you say it, shalom?"
After all that we went back to our hostel relaxed and then went out to eat at a Pizza Hut of all places.
The next day we went to see the pyramids! As we got closer we could start to see them more through the smog and they were impressive! It was awesome to see things we've only read about in textbooks. We walked along the steps of the great pyramid (the only surviving wonder of the seven wonders of the ancient world). We then went in the "second pyramid". We got into the pyramid saw the empty sarcophagus and then left. It was basically... yeah! we're in a pyramid! now, let's go it's too hot in here!
When we got out there was a guy who was offering to take us around the pyramids on a camel. After going back and forth we figured it was worth it. It was a bumpy ride, much like when I rode a camel with Bedouins when I was in Israel in 2006. We got to a spot where you could see all of the pyramids and then we got our pictures taken. We then saw the sphinx where we posed as if we were kissing and punching the sphinx. After that we went to another museum with statues of Pharaohs and the like and the we went back to the hostel.
The next day we spent most of the day relaxing, talking religion, and then we went to a dinner cruise on the Nile. We had great food, and there was some great entertainment. A belly dancer included. It was also nice to cruise along and see Cairo at night (at least you couldn't see the smog).
The next day we relaxed and at night went for a walk and found a Chili's to eat at. There were free refills so we all decided this was the right place! (most places in Israel and Egypt don't have free refills).
The next day we took a long bus ride to the Israel-Egypt border in Taba where we met and schmoozed with some Canadian tourists. When we got to the border the driver yelled "TABA BORDER YALA TABA BORDER YALA" continuously...even as we were getting our luggage from below. (yala in Arabic/Hebrew means let's go...at least in this case)
From there Eric and I went back to Jerusalem and John and Ryan continued onto Jordan.
So, I got back to Jerusalem and unpacked. I also met our new roommate, Andrea from Germany. She's in the Graduate program here.
So, I've mostly been relaxing after the adventure in Egypt. That's all for now!
Rehearsal for Annie this week, along with a UMass in Israel reunion and then the semester starts next week, look for more later
L'hitraot!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
