Tour the apartment

Ok, so it's a bit dorky, but if you want to see what my apartment is like...take the video tour! (Sorry for the poor video quality)

Twice in the past week I had a the very cool experience of having a whole conversation in Hebrew with an Israeli. I have little mini conversations in order to get things accomplished like at the grocery store, or with the taxi/bus drivers, etc. But these were real conversations, for the sole purpose of talking. The first one was on the bus with the person next to me on the way back from Eilat. She was very talkative. The second was with a person that pulled over to give me a ride in the rain (I didn't take it of course, but it was cool to talk in Hebrew anyway!)

The only word I can think of to describe this past weekend is an experience. Ben was recently in touch with an organization that helps new immigrants make connections with people in Israel. He got phone calls from 5 different people inviting us for Shabbat dinner. Four of them were Rabbis (all orthodox). We accepted the first invitation from Rabbi Schwartz (from Seattle). We went to services on Friday evening before dinner at the Rabbi's house. Wow...it was orthodox so the men and women were separated. However I was the only woman there and the place for the woman was really just the kitchen/closet! I sat in a chair by myself facing a dirty wall like I was on time out! So weird...I couldn't even really hear the sermon and didn't know when to stand up, when to sit..or what the heck I should be doing. Rather an odd/uncomfortable experience. The dinner at the Rabbi's was actually alright. He has 5 kids from a few months to 15 years old, so that was entertaining. I'm not really a huge fan of this Rabbi though as I think he likes to hear himself talk a bit too much for my taste. I prefer Rabbi Feldman from Bend.

The next day we went to the house next door to the Rabbi's for lunch with another family that recently immigrated from Atlanta, Georgia. They were very friendly (also Orthodox). Lunch was pleasant enough. The couple is actually in an Ulpan class above mine in the same building 4 days a week...I saw the woman (Rebecca) there today, she came to visit me during break. The family has two 9 year olds and a 11 year old. I can't imagine what it must be like to jump right into school all in Hebrew. I know Serge and Irina did that and I worked with kids at home who had recently come to the country and couldn't speak/understand English yet, but it really understand it more now that I am trying to learn Hebrew...yikes!

I was proud that I remembered not to try to shake hands with the men, especially the Rabbi. It always kind of feels a bit rude of me (and of them) not to shake hands, but it's just because that's what I am used to. However, I made two mistakes that I didn't really realize were mistakes until later on Saturday night when we were back home. At the Rabbi's house my alarm went off on my phone even though the phone was turned off! (Don't ask me how it did that). I don't think the Rabbi really noticed since so much was going on in the house at the time....but oops. The second mistake was the next day after lunch. We were walking down the street with another Orthodox couple who was also at lunch at Rebecca's. They wanted Ben's number for future advice about buying a car and I offered to write it down....mistake. I guess (and I actually didn't know this) that writing is considered work and isn't allowed on Shabbat. Of course, for me it would not have mattered, but the guy told me not to write. How do people not do work for a whole day each week!? Imagine that in college...or as a teacher!? Wowwie! What if someone relaxes by writing poetry...is it still considered work? Just curious.

Ben's back at base again, but now he has started Ulpan....army Ulpan that is. I'm not sure what class is like for him, but I think they study for almost 8 hours a day! I bet he will come home having learned a lot...exciting! Maybe we can start teaching each other what we learn in Ulpan, because I'm sure they are very different classes.

See you later! Lehitraot!