Wednesday-Friday 1/5-1/7
Tveria
Beautiful city. The weather was amazing--on Thursday I was actually outside in a tank top! Stayed with a friend from camp, Adam, whose there on
Year Course now. Spent some time with the Year Courses, especially Adam and his roommates, Marc & Saul (great kids). Helped them pick out a couch. Man... Couch shopping in Tveria... Awesome.
Went to the
Tveria Marathon, which was pretty cool--runners pretty much took over the city. I loved how wonderful everyone was to the runners, sticking around to cheer them on and all. So great. Spent a lot of time exploring Tveria, walking around, enjoying the gorgeous view of the Kinneret. Went to Kever Rachel (the grave of Rabbi Akiva's wife), where the man outside kept yelling at me for not covering my hair in a holy place until finally he listened to me explaining that I'm not married (why does everyone in this country keep assuming I'm married??). Bought some cool pants--I have spent
way too much money in this country...
Hanging out with the Year Courses reminded me about what I was like at 18, and as much as I love my memories of
Nativ, man, I am so glad I'm past the...pettiness... that comes with that time in your life.
Friday 1/7
Back to Jerusalem for Shabbas. Staying at Samara's with Hannah & Talia, even though Samara's in the States for a wedding (
soo great of her) Walked straight to the shuk, with my pack on and everything. So much randomness while at Marzipan (mmmm..... Marzipan....). First ran into Rabbi Tolwin who was doing his best to find me (and Talia & Hannah) a place for Shabbas dinner. While he was trying to do that, I hear my name so I turn to see a (seemingly) random Israel.
"Shoshanna?" Yes...
"From Pinemere!" Could not believe. Medan, one of the
mishlachat from my summer at
Pinemere. So he ended up inviting all 3 of us for dinner!
Went to Shira Chadasha for services. Nice minyan. Wish I had spent some time there last time I was here... Saw a bunch of people I knew, including Jamie & Josh, and Andy Westle (from my Nativ group). So random... Then Talia, Hannah & I walked up to Nachlaot for dinner. Dinner was insanely random, but awesome. Great chance to practice my Hebrew. It turns out I can hold my own better than I thought. Thank you all those years of day school & Hebrew school... great time.
Saturday 1/8
This morning we went to the egal minyan, Kedem. They gave me the Cohen aliyah. That hasn't happened in years. Not sure how I feel about it, but before I had time to really think about it, I had already told the guy I was a
Bat Cohen. Felt good, and strange at the same time. At some point I really should do some hardcore studying and make up my mind about the whole egal/non-egal, mechitza/no mechitza thing...
Had lunch with Uri Allen at his friend Josh's place. Turns out Josh & Josh are friends from school so Josh & Jamie were staying there and at lunch (did that make sense, or too many Joshs?). Lunch was great. Ended up staying there 'till after Shabbas ended, then went back to Merkaz Hamagshimim.
Got my laptop, and headed down to Emek to use the wireless at one of the coffee places. First stopped at Pizza Meter to say hello (and goodbye) to Michael Simon, a friend from Pardes who was in Israel for a few weeks but left tonight. Then went over to Coffee Shop (creative name, right?). Walked in, and guess who was there? Jamie & Josh, along with tons of camp people (Almog, Uri, Becky, & Lauren). So awesome. The randomness in this country never ceases to amaze me.
In the morning Talia & I head off to Ein Gedi. Should be awesome. :)
I love this place... Can't believe I only have a week left. It's so tempting to just stay...
