Tuesday we had to get out of the “Holy Crap I’m in the Holy Land” phase and get down to business. The girls from the hostel and I went to the first day of orientation. It was your average orientation, the program directors introduced themselves, the participants introduced themselves, and then we tried to figure out what we were going to do since (surprise, surprise) there were multiple Rachels. “Esfo” is officially in Israel. We also found out that there are all of 2 guys (out of 18 people) in this program but what else is new, they can enjoy the view during class.
It has been a lot of information to take in during the last few days, banking, housing, teaching, drinking you know the usual J. It is a very independent program for sure, the directors are very supportive but I love that they are giving us the opportunity to do things for ourselves. My friends and I got on a bus by ourselves went to the mall and got cell phones. When Allie got sick we got into a cab went to the doctor’s office and then went and got her medicine, all on our own. Some things are hard, but I am learning so much about this city by doing things on my own. It makes me feel very optimistic about the next two years! Apartment hunting has been a little rough but I am sure it will all work out. We have been looking on websites and going to see places and doing a lot of finger crossing (and I would appreciate some positive vibes sent my way, thank you).
Despite all of the work and settling in we have to do, I have been having SOOO much fun! People have been so nice. While Allie and I were at the doctor’s office we made friends with the guy who worked behind the desk, he even came out with us this weekend! (pictures to come)Which brings me to another thing, weekends are very similar to when I was in Uruguay. A lot of people don’t go out until at least midnight and then don’t get home til 5 or 6 am. On Thursday night (weekends are Friday and Saturday here) Hallie’s friend Moti picked us up to go out and didn’t get here to the hostel until 2 am! I almost went to sleep on the bench in front of the hostel. It was a great night though, and so was Friday. We got a completely random group of our new friends together and hung out at a bar RIGHT on the water. If I was a little (ok a lot) taller I could have fallen right over the railing! We were definitely the loud Americans though, but I suppose that is kind of unavoidable with my friend Ellen screaming “Mazel Tov” and “Mitrageshet” (excited) at the top of her loud southern lungs. But I have to say I am never short on entertainment or fun with this crowd….
It has just been incredible here so far. I have not stopped smiling since I arrived. People are actually having trouble getting me to stop. I just feel so happy and at peace here. It has been very busy and a lot to take in but I could not be more thrilled. I promise to write more often, when the internet and I stop fighting and when I have more than a few minutes to gather my thoughts. I also do plan on being more entertaining I promise, but don’t worry clumsy Rachel has fallen off a sidewalk or 6 since she got here….
