It feels like it’s
been a lot longer than a week since my last post. Maybe it’s because I’ve done
so much since then, or maybe it’s because all the events are so spread out that
the days seem to last forever. In any case, it’s good to talk to y’all again.
A few friends and
I went to the Old City on Saturday – don’t worry; I have pictures! Living in
Jerusalem is interesting; in one sense, this is Jerusalem, the Holy City people
have been fighting for years to have control of. In another sense, this is
Jerusalem, a large city just like any other, with ordinary people going about
their lives. The Old City is a place where Jesus, David, and countless other
figures walked. It’s also where you can buy really ripe strawberries for $3.50
a kilo.
We did buy
strawberries, along with a few other supplies, from the Shuk, the outdoor
market. This involved using both my Arabic and my Hebrew, which was nice. We
also did the Ramparts Walk, which was interesting, and went to the Roman Plaza,
which was also holding a contemporary art exhibition. This turned out to be a
series of dimly-lit tunnels, one of which contained a small stereo system and a
few statues. However, it was still interesting.
While we were in
the Old City, I had shawarma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma)
and mint tea for lunch, which was pretty good. I’ve also had falafel. They
tasted better in Jordan, but it’s possible that I was just hungrier; I’m eating
a lot more American-style food here, since I’m fixing my own meals. To that
end, as I need more and more supplies for my stay, I’m slowly learning to be more
self-sufficient, to put down roots and buy what I need on-location instead of
trying to pack everything I need from home every time I leave. It helps when
American products are available in many stores.
There’s also been
a lot of free food lately, since that’s the preferred method for attracting
college students. For instance, I just returned from a discussion group about Israel
that provided bagels and toppings, and earlier today I went to a party for
Israel’s version of Arbor Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_BiShvat
), which included sweets and drinks. Two nights ago, I had free lasagna at a
lecture by the Colonel formerly in charge of the Israeli Security Fence, who
was a very good presenter. And at all of these events, I was told about other
events, also with free food, that will take place in the future. There’s no
shortage of things to do.
Class is going
fairly well. Every day I end up with more interesting vocabulary – ‘sense of
direction,’ ‘controversial topic,’ ‘phenomena,’ and etc. We have discussions on
everything from beached whales to homeschooling to ISIS. In addition, we’ve had
a tour of campus and a singing workshop – we actually sang one of the songs I
learned at Middlebury, but this time I could understand what it meant!
There are things
that I hope will improve over the next few weeks. I’m still unfamiliar with the
teachers’ testing format, which docked a few points off my last grade. I’m
still trying to figure out what to do for church, so I’ll let you know what
happens with that. And I’ve now gone to the gym three times, and I still haven’t
received my membership; every time it’s something else, and it’s a perfectly
logical reason, but I’d like to have that done and over with already. The last
time I went, the lady behind the desk (it’s the same person every time) started
muttering to herself in Hebrew that I keep showing up, and I thought about
telling her I shared her frustration, but thought better of it.
There have been
some down days lately, but my parents are only a phone call away, I have my
books, and the supermarket has Ben & Jerry’s if I really need chocolate. I’ve
found friends; last weekend we watched Kingdom of Heaven, about the Crusades,
and had strawberries and hot fudge sauce. And I’m in Jerusalem, after all: as one
of my classmates said this morning, every day in Israel is a blessing. I’m
studying what I love, I’m living in the Holy Land, and I’m doing fine. And
strawberries are $3.50 a kilo.
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