We'll call this one: Hello from Israel

Well here I am. So much has happened over the past few days that I am kind of at a loss at where to start all the telling. I guess I will start at the beginning.

I flew to Israel on Sunday. We rose early in the morning and Mom made me some eggs and then Mom, Dad, and I piled in the car to head to the airport. We arrived on time and much to my surprise, Mommy did not cry at all! Actually I think it was pretty surreal saying goodbye for two whole years. This is where the fun started. First we had to meet the woman who sold us our tickets, Anette. She was wonderful; strong accent, fake red hair...etc. Then we went through the baggage/security check where I was asked all kinds of questions like... Why are you going to Israel? Why do you want to learn Hebrew? Do you have a Hebrew name? What holidays do you celebrate at home? Where are you from?... Actually it ended up being pretty interesting because the girl who was asking me had actually worked at the Viewmont Mall for awhile (I am assuming that she was selling lotion from the Dead Sea). After this I was put through the typical "I'm not Jewish" security, which included a nice pat-down, followed by confiscating my carry-ons, and putting me on the plane last with all the other non-Jewish students. I suppose that I don't mind this, it's really nothing personal. The flight was interesting. They fed us almost immediately after boarding, and had us all close the windows and go to sleep. YEAH RIGHT! It was three in the afternoon! After a few hours everyone got restless and the children started to scream. There was no sleep to be had for me on this flight. However, I did have a chance to sit between Abbey, a mother making Aliah with her family, and Will, who was heading to Yeshiva in the Old City. Will and I were the same age and both interested in Ancient Israel, so we had plenty to talk about on the long flight. We arrived in Israel around 7:15am their time. This means I completely missed a whole night of sleep! Luckily, customs was a breeze! They asked no questioned and just stamped my passport and sent me on my way. Unfortunately this "swiftness" was shortlived as the luggage took forever to come around and we basically stood and waited for 45 min.

This started my first day in Israel. Then around 30 of us took a bus to our dorms in the Student Village at Hebrew U. They sat us down and gave us our room assignments, and then sent us on our way to unpack before orientation. What a nice suprise it was to find that I was in the dorm closest to the south gate (aka where we were sitting!). I dropped all of my things in my room and cleaned up alittle before heading to the Boyar building to pick up my new Israeli cell phone! (A note: they told us that the walk from the dorm to our building would be a quick ten min., It's really more like 20. ugh) By this time I was loopy with tiredness. I could not help that I had not slept in 24+ hours! So I decided to take a short nap before our tour at four. This helped a lot. The tour was... eh just an excuse to stay awake and keep my body moving. Orientation followed and needless to say it was pretty boring. Basically it was a reminder to stay out of Palestine or any Arab area. I guess we signed a paper saying that we would, but I was too tired to remember what I signed. They told us that they could not keep us from going to Palestine, but they could not offer us medical coverage if anything should happen. Then came a group trip to the mall to get supplies. Most of the student here taking the classes now are only here for a month, so they did not need much, but I am here for two years! Therefore, I left with my arms loaded with blankets, a pillow, towels, a lamp, etc. By the way, I am no where near finished with all that I need! Luckily there is another shopping trip this weekend.

Classes started three days ago. I am enjoying them so much. I am starting to remember all of the Hebrew I learned last year and I can feel myself getting better already. It is nice to always be speaking Hebrew. I am trying to stop thinking in English all the time and to start my new life as a Hebrew speaker!

I have two very different roomates. The first, Sana, I met on the night of my first day. She is 28 and already has a job as a pharmacist. Right now she is persuing a masters in communications. I am excited because she is Muslim, and I have many questions to ask her about her religion. I am looking forward to living with her.

My other roomate is Anna from Texas. I am so excited about Anna because we both have the same major so we can take our classes together! She is taking biblical Hebrew now so I am excited to help her and refresh myself.

Hmm...there is more to tell, but I am tired and am trying to reach my Mom. So until then...Shalom!

Love you,
Claire