Knesset

After Hebrew a speaker who works in politics came to talk to us about the way the Knesset works and the new election. I forget his name but he is interviewed a lot on media stations all over the world including CNN. I didn't know much about the way the politics work here, and I still don't but I am trying to learn as much as possible. However, from what I can tell so far, it seems that many Israeli's think that the way the Knesset is run is a mess and nothing can ever get done.

He spoke about the new Prime Minister Netanyahu, and how the media abroad portrays him as very right wing. He IS right wing but he is much more open to change and making a difference than is communicated to the world. It was interesting to hear his view on the Palestine/Israel conflict. He, of course, wants peace but wants to try and obtain it by creating more of a grass roots movement. In the past, peace was attempted by working from the top down, and this time he is going to try it differently. I guess there has been criticism saying "if he is so right wing, there will never be peace" however the speaker brought up the argument that all the past Prime Ministers, who were more left, weren't able to accomplish it in their own way. 

Anyway, he is also going to work on building up the economy in the west bank to try and show that Israel DOES want it to succeed, and sooner or later would like the west bank to be split so there will be a 2 state solution. This all just from memory so I am sure there are many aspects to Netanyahu I do not know, but this is what I have so far.

I'm done for the day, so I think I am going to go to the Shuk (outdoor market) to try and get a good deal on a mirror and some sort of divider so I can have privacy around my bed. Thennn I am going to go to the gym, study Hebrew, and go out with people tonight.

I miss everyone...a lot.

Ani lo mi Israel, aval akhshav ani be Israel

I am not from Israel, but now I am in Israel.

Hebrew classes have begun! Today was our second day.

I absolutely love being in the class. It is taking a very long time to jus

t get one word to stick and our teacher goes over the phrases a million times, but it feels like I am using my brain in a way that I WANT to. After the first day, I learned how to say "where" which is "eyfo". Later on that day, I was at the mall shopping for the apartment and I used "eyfo" probably five times.

I had my job "interview" yesterday. Below are two pictures I took. One is of the hotel and the other is picture at the beach which is right across the street. It was so beautiful, and shocking that I was even there.

I took the bus to the hotel! It was a bit nerve racking because I wasn't sure exactly what I was doing, but I had instructions from Career Israel on which one to take. After I put my sheckles to pay, I started to walk away and the driver started yelling at me. What he was saying sounded a bit like "receipt" in french, and then I noticed a piece of paper sticking out where I put in the sheckles. Sure enough, a receipt comes out every time you pay for the bus that you need to take.

The interview went well. I met with the operations manager over coffee at the hotel bar. Her attitude was very Israeli. She said that hotel is "Fluid" and that I can pretty much work wherever I want, however they really need help in Jaffa Court. Jaffa Court is where the guests can have breakfast and lunch. I would manage the waitstaff and act as "the face" of the hotel in the restaurant, and be the go-to person when any conflicts arise. That sounds fine, and it would be good experience, but I told her I want to do events.

We decided that I would work for 3 weeks in the banquet department, and then if I want I can try out Jaffa Court. She walked me down to the meeting space, and the instant I was down there I felt like I was home. The air, the energy from the conference that was going on, the set up, and seeing the conference managers run around, was where I wante

d to be. It could be because that is what I am just used to doing for the last two years, or because I do genuinely love it. I still am not sure, and not sure if I will ever know.

 As I think many of you know, I am in an apt with 3 other girls but I am sharing a room with 2 of them. The room we are in is technically the living room. I took pictures of the apartment so you can have an idea of what it looks like! My bed is the one with the red comforter (I bought this at a store after having help from a woman that could translate for me to the sales woman)

Sometimes I think "I can't believe I am sharing a room like this for 5 months without privacy" but at the same time it doesn't really bother me. It could be because while I am here I have this mentality as if anything goes. Below is a picture of the bathroom, the kitchen/dining room/entrance to the apartment.

I have so much more I want to write but I have to go. While many people do speak english here, it isn't enough where I am not confused or feel out of place on a daily basis. 

Tomorrow I have ulpan and then I am going to a lecture Career Israel organized about the darfur refugees here in Israel. There is a volunteer opportunity to help out at the refugee camp, so hopefully I can sign up and start working there asap.

Shalom!

Whirlwind

This week has been very intense. We have been running around touring and also having a countless amount of ice breakers. It has been interesting getting to know everyone and why they are here on this program. A lot of people are using this program as a test to see if they want to move to Israel in July. Others are here because they are using this to help them figure out what they want in life, others because they had no idea what else to do, others because their boyfriend's live here, other's because they feel tied to Israel, other's for career purposes. 

I haven't had any alone time since I arrived so that been a bit emotionally taxing. I cannot wait for tomorrow when we move to the apartments in Tel Aviv and I can begin my life here. On Monday we are beginning our Hebrew courses. A lot of people here already know at least a little Hebrew. I have already made a promise to myself that no matter how tired I am, or no matter how much I DONT want to to study, I will discipline myself to study and practice all the time.

One of the Career Israel participants studies the psychology of the people living in areas of conflict, such as Israel/Palestine. He is working with a researcher named Daniel Bartol (I am not sure if this is how his name is spelled. I'll have to check). I have already asked Alex to get coffee to we can talk about it more. From the few conversations we have already had, he sounds like a wealth of knowledge. The other night we had a Palestinian speaker come to speak to us about the Palestine side of the conflict. Some of the people in our room argued with him and I thought some of their points were valid, other points I thought were very biased and closed minded. I can already tell that learning about this conflict will be an internal struggle between my heritage, facts I wished were in the public, and facts I'd rather not know but must face.

On a lighter note, we went out to a bar 2 nights ago and sang Karaoke! I sang (with a partner of course) "I will Survive" and "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Umbrella".  It was intense and fabulous.

First Moment

After a night of orientation and asking the question "where are you from?" and answering the same question countless times, I finally was able to go to sleep after being awake for almost 35 hours. I didn't sleep very well, and kept waking up but it was amazing to be in a bed.

This morning we had the choice to either visit David's City or another place (don't remember). I decided to go to David's City because it was one place we missed on birthright. The first part of the tour we watched the history of David's City in this 3D film and then went out to actually see the city and the tunnels.

It was thrilling to be there and part of the history the tour guide talking about was interesting, other parts I zoned out. David's City is in the west bank so part of this area in Jerusalem is where Israeli Jews inhabit and the other part Israeli Arabs live.

At one point we were outside and the tour guide pointed out that all of the houses we were looking at was an Arab area. We continued to talk about I veered a little away from the group and climbed up a rock to get a full view of the area. At that time, the bells began to ring as an announcement that it was time for prayer. I knew that muslim's prayed five times a day, but never hear it in person. I could hear the prayers coming from a loud speaker off in the distance, but it filled the air. I do not know much about being a muslim, or what the religion incorporates, but it was such a powerful moment to be standing on that rock, looking out at the city, being in Israel, hearing the prayer, and thinking of all of the people in the homes I was looking at praying all together at that moment.

After David's Tunnel we went to get lunch and I had the most amazing falafel. Now we are back at the hostel and have an hour break. I am EXHAUSTED and really want to take a nap but I am trying to stay awake. Although not much has happened yet, and I feel a bit uncomfortable and unsettled in my surroundings, I also feel like I have been here for years.

Tel Aviv

I am in Tel Aviv! Finally! I have been at the airport for almost 4 hours now hanging out with Rachel and 3 other Career Israel participants that we met on the plane. I feel pretty out of it, but I am also itching to get out into the city. A few thoughts after spending 4 hours here...

1. The lattes are amazing 

2. I feel rude saying "thank you" but I also feel a bit strange saying "toda"--as if I am posing. 

3. I wish I had rented a cell phone before I got here.

4. Being in Israel, even in just the airport, has me feeling a mix of being at home and also a foreigner trying to fit in. Its a tug back and forth.

Anywho, we are going to leave the airport now and take the Nesher to Jerusalem. This should be VERY interesting with all of our bags.

London

I am half way done with my travel to get to Israel. The flight to London wasn't bad because I slept 8 of the 10 hours. Sitting next me was a couple, I think from Germany, that were ALL over each other. However, I began to really love the couple when I couldn't find my glasses and realized they fell out of the chair pocket. They looked on the ground with me, while I was pretty much blind without my glasses or contacts, for almost 5 minutes until we found them. 

Now I am sitting at a little cafe in Heathrow airport. Even though being at an airport is not a big deal, I still feel that sense of being truly alive when you are traveling, or you are somewhere new, or doing something you feel is RIGHT. 

T-minus 5 hours until I board the plane from London to Israel.