Friday, January 29, 2010
First Week Flies By
I can't believe I've already been in Israel a week! Between the intensive five hour Hebrew courses every day and trying to establish a sense of home thousands of miles away, its hard enough to catch my breath let alone start a blog. But alas, I have officially begun my documentation of this whirlwind of a journey!
Most of this week was spent completing seemingly normal, mundane tasks like grocery shopping and hebrew lessons. But in Jerusalem nothing is boring. Haggling for fresh veggies (only 25 cents for an avocado!) in the open air bazaar or "shook" is unreal. As I stroll along the cramped, cobblestone alleys and peruse the smorgasbord of spices, nuts and dried fruit, I can't help but wonder whether I was transported back to the 1800's or to the set of one of Spielberg's latest films. Wherever I am-it certainly doesn't feel like reality.
But I am quickly snapped back into modernity when I hit King George St-the central point of downtown Jerusalem. The cobble stone alleys are filled with pubs, dance clubs and hookah joints open till early morning and the owners definitely don't mind us Rothberg students. Last night we gave our brains a much deserved break and went out. There's something about dancing to Lady Gaga in Jerusalem that makes it ten times more fun...I spent my "yom shishi" (Friday) enjoying a Tu B'Shvat Festival in the center of the city. There was live music, theatrical trees and of course fresh plants aplenty in honor of the harvest festival.
I just heard the siren that sounds throughout the entire city indicating the start of Shabbat and am looking forward to it. With few cars on the street and almost nothing open, the city assumes a state of indescribable serenity and the heaping portions of challah, hummus and other "comfort" foods doled out on Friday night and Saturday afternoon don't hurt either!
Most of this week was spent completing seemingly normal, mundane tasks like grocery shopping and hebrew lessons. But in Jerusalem nothing is boring. Haggling for fresh veggies (only 25 cents for an avocado!) in the open air bazaar or "shook" is unreal. As I stroll along the cramped, cobblestone alleys and peruse the smorgasbord of spices, nuts and dried fruit, I can't help but wonder whether I was transported back to the 1800's or to the set of one of Spielberg's latest films. Wherever I am-it certainly doesn't feel like reality.
But I am quickly snapped back into modernity when I hit King George St-the central point of downtown Jerusalem. The cobble stone alleys are filled with pubs, dance clubs and hookah joints open till early morning and the owners definitely don't mind us Rothberg students. Last night we gave our brains a much deserved break and went out. There's something about dancing to Lady Gaga in Jerusalem that makes it ten times more fun...I spent my "yom shishi" (Friday) enjoying a Tu B'Shvat Festival in the center of the city. There was live music, theatrical trees and of course fresh plants aplenty in honor of the harvest festival.
I just heard the siren that sounds throughout the entire city indicating the start of Shabbat and am looking forward to it. With few cars on the street and almost nothing open, the city assumes a state of indescribable serenity and the heaping portions of challah, hummus and other "comfort" foods doled out on Friday night and Saturday afternoon don't hurt either!
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