Attempting to get settled in

Wow! That is all I can say after these past few days. There have been ups and downs but gotta love Israel! I will start with the apartment hunting experience in Tel Aviv. I knew my standards would have to change because the good apartments here are close to bad apartments back in Atlanta. I have gone to see apartments where someone is looking for a roommate and ones where I would move in with my own roommate. One room I saw didn't even have a real door and the curtains blocking it "would not be here anymore" once I moved in...great! Needless to say, I am not moving in there. The neighborhood you are in is very important. Being in the center of Tel Aviv (I cannot give a description because everyone will tell you that is the center no matter where you are) is the place to be. I saw a few beautiful places with amazing views of the Mediterranean. I also saw some great places that weren't right on the beach. It's a tough decision process and I have to find the place that is right for me. Hopefully that will happen very soon (fingers crossed!).

On another note, I had a little family reunion in Tel Aviv this weekend! I got to spend time with my cousin Marissa who is in Israel doing a volunteer program. She came down to Tel Aviv for the weekend with her entire group. We walked through Nachalat Binyamin which is a street that has an artists market every Tuesday and Friday. We also stopped to grab a real Israeli breakfast featuring shakshuka, eggs, salads and spreads. It was so nice getting to be with family during this time. I am still adjusting to being here and being an Israeli so it's good to be with family and have a piece of home with me.

I was finally able to have my first schnitzel last night! My Israeli friend Einat, who I have known for over ten years, came to meet me for dinner and that is all I wanted to have. The meal was great but it was so nice to reconnect with my friend.

 Today I was with another friend from Atlanta and walked around Shuk HaCarmel where they have so many people selling fresh baked breads, fruit, cheese, meat and candy! I of course had to pick up some fresh pita with za'atar, which is a spice you can really put on just about anything. You can find anything you could imagine at the shuk including household items. It is so much fun walking around and seeing what everyone is selling. It gets very busy on Fridays when people are buying things for Shabbat. It is also crazy in the summer when every Taglit Birthright group comes to visit as well.

I love that this city is always so alive! There is so much to do and so many places to explore. It doesn't matter how many times I have been to the artists market or shuk because every time I discover something new.