Israel is absolutely amazing. You have no idea how perfect it is being here, loving every second of it. It's going to be so hard to leave...
Friday, October 6thLeft Tel Aviv around one, took the bus to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). Once I got to the
tachanat merkazit (central bus station) in Yerushalayim, I set about attempting to buy a charger for my cell. The problem? I bought my cell a couple years ago, and it was old then. In other words, they don't make it anymore, so they don't sell chargers anymore. So the end of all this cell phone drama? Ended up having to buy a new phone for 300 NIS. So frusterating...but at least my new phone is cute, right?
Took a cab the old city, and carrying my massive pack and Julie's suitcase, I made my way to
Heritage House. Let me tell you, that place is a trip... It's the free hostel, right inside the Old City. There's a seperate women's hostel and men's hostel, strict hours when the're open (when they're closed you can't be there at all). Crazy mix of girls, basically 18-early 30s. I slept on a mattress of the floor downstairs, surrounding by girls who clearly never went to summer camp and didn't really understand the whole communal living deal (20 minute showers when there's a long line of girls waiting and Shabbas/Yuntiv was sarting type of deal). I thought it was hysterical, loved it.
Went to the Kotel for services amd joined
Ezra's minyan. They were right next to the
mechitza (partition) so the women could actually be part of it. Amazing, so much ruach, great songs... Afterwards went to dinner at Ezra's. This succah is totally amazing. I'll have to take a picture so you guys can see. It's on his roof, right in the Old City (actually only a couple doors down from Heritage House which was super convinient), so there are tons of other succot around, a great vibe. The walls are tapestries, palm fronds on top for
schach, mattersses on the floor, no shoes allowed, everyone crowds in... Amazing people, hated to leave early but didn't want to get locked out of Heritage House (a little odd having a curfew, let me tell you!)
Well, I'd love to write more, but I'm going to lunch with Eve Posen & she's waiting for me. So, more later!
