...we have carabiners as locks on our windows and doors. HAHAHAHA. That pretty much sums up my experience so far! This trip, in the howevermanyhours I have been here, has been ridiculously hilarious and fun and amazing. I am jet-lagged, tired, hungry, whirlwindy, and overall overwhelmed, but I have not regretted this decision for one instant. I have already had so many laughs and learned so many things, it is unbelievable!! Today we went grocery shopping, and thank God for my apartmentmate Michal, who speaks fluent Hebrew, who kept us from buying tuna packed in oil and vanilla-flavored milk (like some of our other program mates). There are so many interesting people here, and I am so excited to have so many new friends from all over the world. We also did a walking tour of Tel-Aviv today, and we got to see the Carmel Market and the artist's market and all the famous places like Max Brenner's Chocolate place.
Our apartment is shitty--I expected no less--but my apartmentmates make it all worthwhile. We have already bonded (more than the other apartments, we think) so much and we all had dinner tonight together (I managed what I could with our portable double-burner-only gas top...which I had to light....and almost burned my hand off....hahaa) Tomorrow all of my group is going to their internships, but since my clinic is only open on Sun, Tues, Thurs, my roommate and I are hiking it to the beach!! I am so excited....pictures to follow. I have also been introduced to Geocaching...apparently its a hide-and-goseek with a GPS system for hikers...you leave something in a box (anything: a keychain, a sunglasses, a waterbottle) and you either take it, and put something else in the secret hiding place, or replace it with a new fun item!!! haha sounds crazy but It seems so fun for hikers, and as soon as we can get our hands on a GPS system we are totally tracking some down in Tel Aviv. I am also still trying to find a dance class (preferably tap) and my roommate agreed to take a class with me (yay!) so that is one thing on the to-do-list.
Its a bit interesting adjusting to life here--my immediate thoughts when people tell me "don't stand in long lines, don't stand in crowds, be aware of your surroundings" are of pickpocketers, but apparently here they are talking about suicide bombers, and they are serious. You can tell they aren't trying to scare us,and I appreciate their honesty, but it is a little daunting to be aware of my vitality like that.
My sincerest apologies for the incoherency of this posting: I am still jet lagged and not-all-here. Or there. Phasing.
Much love to America, to my fam and friends--I miss you all so much!! Bringing you on this trip with me in my own little way is the best I can give. <3
Is that your bed? Oy. It sounds like you are having a remarkable time so far and it's only day one and a half! I think it's wonderful you've already started exploring and the Geocaching sounds like so much fun. They have it here, too--Michele said the other day they do it at False Cape! The security warnings are super scary. I hope you heed them and are safe and continue to live and laugh--all day, every day!
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