Crazy huge post

We FINALLY have internet in our rooms!!! This is a big deal. We were supposed to get it on Thursday, and then we heard we would get it on Sunday… and then there was a secret code that the internet company forgot to tell us about… but we finally have it. This is just another example of the wonders of Israeli bureaucracy… I’ve also had to jump through hoops to sign up for the gym or get service on my Israeli cell phone. Go figure.

It feels crazy that I’ve been here for a week. It feels much, much longer. I’ve been having a really good time—getting to know the people on the program, exploring the city, and finally starting class, which was actually kind of exciting.

A few days ago my roommates and I went to the shuk, a market in downtown Tel Aviv. Everything was really cheap and the produce is all fresh and delicious. The shuk was filled with huge stands of spices, breads, and all kinds of fruits and vegetables… there were also stores selling kitchen supplies, blankets, shoes, and clothes for really cheap. You’re supposed to haggle, but since I don’t know any Hebrew I was happy to pay the 2 shekels (about 50 cents) for a pound of carrots.

That night we went to a bar/lounge on the beach called La Mer. We met up with a huge group of kids from the program and we were basically the only people there, but we had a fun and very Israeli experience—sitting in the sand smoking hookah, while a man walked around holding a giant snake and selling flowers. At one point the snake was literally right over my head and I had no idea… kind of scary actually!

On Friday I went back downtown to the area of the shuk and explored the city a little bit. Because it was Friday the crafts market, Nachalat Binyamin, was open, where people sell beautiful jewelry and art that they usually made themselves. I wasn’t looking for anything so I wandered down King George St. and Dizengoff St. where I found the Tel Aviv flea market, and a lot of really interesting shops.

On Friday night the entire country, even the secular city of Tel Aviv, basically shuts down for Shabbat. Literally the only things that stay open in the city are nightclubs and bars. My friends and I had a potluck dinner, which was great despite our limited kitchens (we only have a tiny gas stove). Later I went out to a bar, which played a great musical selection, ranging from Queen to Elvis to music from the 90s, but nothing more recent than that. The music is probably one of my favorite parts of Israel—we heard “Time of My Life” on the radio yesterday.

On Saturday we walked the 2-ish miles down to the boardwalk (called “tayelet” in Hebrew), which I’ve been looking forward to. It was a little chilly and windy, but the beach was beautiful and the boardwalk had a lot of really cool places for food, coffee, and drinks once it got a little later. We met a guy who was an Elvis impersonator and played about three songs for us on his guitar. (My friend took a video of it, so I’ll definitely put the link up here once I get it.) After walking for about an hour and a half, we got dinner at a café and then went to check out a pretty famous American bar, Mike’s Place.

After a week of shopping and partying, Ulpan finally started. Ulpan is an intensive Hebrew class that lasts for a month. We take it five days a week for five hours a day. I’ve only had two days of class so far but I already know how to write sentences in Hebrew and we’re finishing the alphabet tomorrow. The class is intense but I’m glad we’re moving at such a fast pace, because I’m sick of not being able to read signs or order my own food. I’ve also found that it isn’t very effective to say “toda raba” (thank you very much) to every person I see… hmm. But I might actually be good at Hebrew at the end of this month… crazy stuff.

Last night I went back to Mike’s Place with a bunch of friends to watch the Superbowl. It was pretty much the most American experience I’ve ever had. The bar was packed with Americans who were drinking beer, eating wings and shouting at both teams. It was a lot of fun, but we all had class at 8:30 in the morning and the game didn’t start until 1:30 AM our time, so we left at halftime.

Well that’s about it so far—I’ll start updating more frequently now that I’m connected to the world again. Pictures will be up soon!

Laila tov! (Good night.)