Week 2

Day Seven – Sunday August 9, 2009

I’m starting to remember that staying out late and waking up early don’t exactly mix. I didn’t get to wake up early and while I was walking to class, I forgot that on Sundays we meet in a different building. But in the end I was only five minutes late so that wasn’t such a big deal.

I then went to the library to drop off the book I checked out three days earlier, even though I hadn’t even had a chance to open it. There must be a way to check out books for a longer period of time, but I guess I don’t really need to worry about that just yet.

Then we had a meeting about different volunteer groups. One woman gave a really long presentation about the theater group and I felt bad that after speaking for about 15 minutes, she asked if anyone was interested and no one raised their hands. It reminded me that I need to get in touch with Julius so that we can set up a way to meet up so I can take over where Sam left off teaching him English.

After a quick dinner, we all got together and went to the bar Manga, that is just down the road from the dorms. It was a lot of fun and we stayed out much too late. I’m writing it off to it being summer.

Day Eight – Monday August 10, 2009

Again, I need to go to sleep earlier. I’ll write this night off to it being the first week… almost. Needless to say, I didn’t wake up early today, although I did make to class on time and was prepared for my presentation.

In class, Shelly presented an article about the Sotomayor confirmation and a spontaneous debate erupted about affirmative action and the nature of democracy. When I was told that America wasn’t in fact a democracy (though technically it’s a republic, but no one ever says that any more, and she wasn’t debating semantics) I lost it. I proceeded to give a long speech about the nature of free choice and how legislating positions on the bench for specific types of people (minorities, women, even white men) is inherently undemocratic. That while eventually there should be a court that is ethnically representative of the American populace, the court’s first and foremost goal is to uphold the rule of law and protect the Constitution (whether that means the letter of the law or the spirit is another debate entirely). Irit, my Hebrew teacher, then told me that I should get angry more often because my Hebrew is much better then. We’ll see how that works out.

After class a bunch of us went to a great shwarma place right nearby and it was delicious. Then Hannah Bubis (or Boobs as she is affectionately known) and I went to the OSP office so I could see if there was any news about Ayalim and so she could check on other stuff. We then went to the Post Office so I could change the rest of my American money.

While waiting in line, I ask one of the tellers if they change money there. She responds that her line is not open. Then when I get to the front of the other line I am told that they don’t change money there. Wouldn’t it have been nice if that first woman had taken the extra three seconds to say, “I’m not open, and no, we don’t.” Apparently that would have been going far too much out of her way.

We then went to the pool. That is probably the best part about Beer Sheva so far. Just being able to walk over and go to the pool whenever we want.

When I got back to my dorm, I took a nap. I think it’s the heat, but afternoon I seem to need a nap. It could be worse.

Ian and I made some spaghetti and hot dogs for dinner. It didn’t turn out so well. I think they two of those foods that are good separate but don’t mix so well.

I then went to study for my first Hebrew quiz with Shelly and Shay. I think I should be all right, I just need to review some of the words a few more times and then I’ll be set.

Day Nine – Tuesday August 11, 2009

I had my first quiz in Ulpan today. It really wasn’t that bad. During the break a bunch of us ran outside and quizzed each other on opposites and a few exceptions to the gender rules, but in the end, it wasn’t really a tough quiz. I ended up finishing it pretty quickly and going over it a bunch of times. I ended up changing one of my answers the wrong way, but what can you do?

A big group of us then went to the student center to get lunch because we heard there was a deal for 8 shekel sandwiches (roughly $2). For 8 shek it was a pretty good sandwich. We hung out and talked a little politics in between deciding whether to go to a house party tonight or a nearby concert. I also introduced Rachel to chocolate with pop rocks. It’s always great to see someone’s face the first time they try them.

We then had a lecture by Professor David Newman. He teaches geopolitics here and has a column in JPost (check it out). He spoke about borders, maps and possible solutions, so I was pretty much in heaven. Plus, Rachel gave me some pop rocks chocolate at the beginning so that provided additional entertainment since they always pop for a much longer time that you think they will… so I was sure to keep my mouth closed for the beginning of the lecture although I’m pretty sure everyone around me still heard.

I wanted to ask if he was teaching a class this semester but he left during out announcements. But I did ask Marc, who works at B-G and helps coordinate some religious stuff for us, about it. He wasn’t sure but mentioned that even if he doesn’t teach MAPMES specifically, I could still take his class and maybe even in Hebrew. I’m not so sure about that, but it sure would be cool to take a class about the geopolitics of Israel in Hebrew. I suppose I’d have to look up a whole lot of words before hand.

I then went to the bank to exchange money, but apparently banks in Israel are just like banks
in America and it was closed by 4pm. Jesus, where are all the money changers?

A bunch of us then went into town to see a concert. We got some falafel and then went to see Yitzhak Shamir, who is kind of like Israel’s Paul McCartney. It was less of a concert and more of an interview. It was interesting but probably would have been better if we had ever heard of him before. Though it felt good that I was able to understand most of it.

We then came back and got to play with a dog for a while. I gotta say, it’s a lot nicer having dogs and cats running around all the time than squirrels.

Day Ten – Wednesday August 12, 2009

I woke up a 6:30 am today because Erica called. It was great to hear from her but this time difference thing is really annoying. It was fine though; I just fell back asleep after and got another hour of sleep.

Nothing so exciting happened in Ulpan today. I did fine on the quiz and afterwards we went back to the sandwich place on campus.

After that I decided to finally get my Internet hooked up. I hadn’t done it yet since I thought I might have to move out soon, but since I’m staying for all of Ulpan I figured it was time to be connected to the rest of the world. It must have been the right decision because all the starts seemed to align: there was no line at the post office (where you pay) and I didn’t have to wait for the computer guy either. It was a miracle.

I then went to play basketball with Ian, Robb, John, Yeshai, Nick and Ohad. You read that right: I went to play basketball. It was a lot of fun, although it sure would be nice if they found a way to make the gym cooler than it is outside, instead of making it twice as hot.

That night there was a meteor shower but since you can’t see it in Beer Sheva because of the light pollution, we were going to go to Sde Boker. But that’s a 40-minute drive and the last bus back was at 10pm so it didn’t make so much sense for us to go.

Instead we decided to get some dinner at the Big and then go to the Smilansky festival in the old city. After taking the bus to the wrong stop and wandering around for a while, we decided to just go the festival and eat there. Good decision. We went to a shwarma place that was out of shwarma so instead I got a kabob. I had to wait a while for it to be ready but it was delicious. I don’t know why I never got it before.

We then walked around the street festival, which was nice but nothing so special. I got a t-shirt that says, “אום שמום” or “United Nations, Shmunited Nations.” Classic.
When I finally got back after waiting for the bus for about a half hour, I plugged in my computer and was connected to the Internet! Hello old friend. Missed you. I finally got to video chat with Erica and it was so great to see her. But apparently the network the school uses blocks my magic jack, so, at least while I’m in the dorms, I won’t be able to use it to make calls. But at least I have Internet.

Day Eleven – Thursday August 13, 2009

It’s nice being able to wake up and check my email and read the news again. Although, it did make me a little late for class.

In Ulpan we watched a movie called “James Travels in the Holy Land.” It was about an illegal immigrant from Africa who came to Israel on pilgrimage to Jerusalem but instead was taken in by a man who sets him to work. It was a really good movie but it was pretty sad to learn about the situation so many people are stuck in, not just in Israel, but all over the world.

Of course, when I got back to my room, I had trouble getting online. It says I’m connected, but I can’t get online! So frustrating. Well, maybe when I get back from Jerusalem tomorrow it’ll be working again. Inshallah.

I then got on a bus to head to Jerusalem for the day. It’s pretty cool to be able to say that. After a quick 1.5-hour bus ride we got off in Jerusalem and made our way to the Petra hostel. It’s a small hostel in the old city right by the entrance to the Shuk. I highly recommend it. It’s about 35 shekels for the night and apparently Mark Twain stayed there too. Plus, on the rood you can see the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulture and the Tower of David. Ridiculous. I’m going to come back in September with my camera so I can get lots of awesome stock footage.

We walked around a lot and then went to Ben Yehuda Street. How I’ve missed you. We went to all the shops, got some falafel and I bought a hookah (yes, I know you’re not supposed to, but I haggled for about an hour and it’s so beautiful).

Then we went back to the hostel, sat on the roof and smoked some hookah. There was a laser-light show at the Tower of David, so we had a great soundtrack. I’ll post some pictures later, my mini-USB cable isn’t playing ball right now.

Some of the guys then went out to a bar, but I stayed back with Shay and Hannah and just hung out on the rood. I got to talk to Shay about PhD programs. He’s getting his at Brandeis right now and is pretty much who I want to be in 5 years. So I got lots of good advice and it was good just to talk about that stuff with someone who’s been there already.

But when it came time to go to sleep, I was really regretting my decision not to bring my sleeping bag. I figured there would be beds there, but we decided to sleep on the roof because it’s both cheaper and very cool. But we didn’t take into account the fact that it was also freezing since Jerusalem isn’t in the Desert. So, shivering, I went to sleep under the Jerusalem stars.

Days Twelve and Thirteen – Friday and Shabbat August 14-15, 2009

I woke up at around 5 am shivering. I really should’ve brought my sleeping bag. I followed Robb back downstairs and crashed on a couch in a room that probably isn’t so warm but felt wonderful.

After about an hour of dozing, I’m awake and I start to wake everyone else up. I suggested we go to the Kotel at sunrise and everyone was pretty enthusiastic. So after knocking on a few doors we all (sans a very tired Dori) headed towards the Mountain of God. We walked through the shuk, which was completely empty. It was a really interesting experience to see a place that is usually completely alive, just deserted.

We finally wound our way out of the shuk and walked out in front of the Kotel. I have been there many times before but for some reason (well, not just any reason, I’m pretty sure I know why) it always feels new and old at the same time (thank you Hertzl). I put on my tefillin and davened and it was amazing – except for my prayers being interrupted by begging Hassidim. I still remember how upset I was on my first trip to Israel when I gave them money and then found out that they weren’t collecting for a charity but so that they don’t have to work (apparently ein derech eretz ein torah doesn’t ring any bells for them). I would think they would at least have the decency to leave me along during the amidah when I am halachikly forbidden from moving, but no, apparently it is more important for them to mooch off me than for me to pray to the Almighty.

But I digress. It was a moving experience and I am happy about that because I was worried that since I had been there so many times before, it might not have that effect on me anymore.

We then went to Bonkers Bagels (shout out to Ari) and got some much needed breakfast. After that we were off back to the shuk to check it out while it was actually open. It was a lot of fun even though I didn’t buy anything.

Then we headed back to Beer Sheva since we needed to make sure we got back well before Shabbat started. I slept the whole way back but I was still really tired.

I then had to call the people I was going to do Shabbat lunch with and got directions to meet them at shul in the morning. I then passed out and slept until 6. I quickly got ready and then went downstairs to meet up with Josh so we could head over.

We decided to take a cab there since Shabbat hadn’t started yet and it was pretty far away. Nir and Orah were really nice and they fed us for hours. By the time we were done eating, it was almost midnight, so Nir walked us part of the way home and then Josh and I kept walking for
about a half hour and finally got home. Time for some more sleep.

I woke up the next day and headed to shul. I grabbed my directions and walked all the way to the shul, but I couldn’t find it. I stopped in a different shul and apparently in Israel services start much earlier because when I got there a little before 10, they were just finishing up. I then tried to find their apartment (different people than the night before) but no success. I ended up just coming back to the dorm and making some sandwiches.

Then I broke out the Benny Morris and went outside to do a little reading. Ian stopped by and I helped him carry his laundry. When he was done we went over to the pool, he played some basketball and I just went right to the pool. Wonderful.

I then took a nap and woke up right as Shabbat was ending. I davened and then met up with Nick, Yeshai, Josh and some Israelis and Germans and we all went to dinner at this place called Nafes. It was kind of like a Yemeni Friendlys. Interesting, and very delicious. I ate so much.

We then came back to the dorms and we hung out in the quad and smoked some hookah (my hookah!). Lots of fun but the security guard made us move because it was late and we were too loud. So we moved outside to the bus stop and just hung out there and smoked a little bit before calling it a night.