Progress...finally!

This has been an interesting week for me in Israel. I have continued the apartment hunt and realize just how easy we all have it in America. In the US, you find a place you like, the leasing office either has something available or not, and if it is available and you want it, then you sign and you move in. Here, everything is through the owner of the apartment and there are no leasing offices to deal with. It doesn't matter if you were the first person to see the apartment or the last because the owner decides who they like the most and gives it to that person. Apartment hunting here is a popularity contest which is why it takes so long for people to find a place to live. I know people who have searched for one month or two months so I am lucky that it took me only a week and a half. I am moving into an apartment in the center of Tel Aviv with an Israeli roommate! I couldn't be more excited! The other thing I had to get used to was the idea that apartments basically come empty. You have to bring your own refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, etc. You are responsible for getting whatever you want for the apartment. When I was looking at apartments in Atlanta, I made sure to get an apartment with a full-sized washer and dryer and not the stacked ones. Here, that is the last thing I have to think about because the apartment either has the hookups or it doesn't and you have to buy them yourself. I was spoiled in the US but my apartment here will be great too (and close to the beach!).

I am never amazed by the crazy things that may happen in Israel. As I walked down the street the other day, I spotted something interesting. There was a horse parked on the street attached to a little buggy that carried building supplies. People joke that they commute to work on camels here but some still use horse and buggy. Also, in America we are very conscious about using cell phones at the office and using work time to have personal conversations that last a while. As I was checking out in the grocery store (no self-service lines here), the cashier got a call. Of course she didn't think twice before answering the phone because I am sure it was very important.

I spent Shabbat in Herzliya with my Israeli family. I have known my friend Einat for 10 years now and whenever I would come to Israel, we would see each other. I would also stay with her family in Herzliya so I know them well and it is so great to be back with them! We had an amazing Shabbat dinner consisting of just about anything you could think of. Einat and her sister Nofar made fresh sushi, which was amazing! Her mom knows I love schnitzel so she made some special for me. There was also soup, salmon, vegan lasagne, potatoes, cauliflower, salad and pad thai! It was a delicious meal (definitely had to eat the leftovers the next day) and they made a special vegan chocolate cake for dessert that said "brucha haba'ah" (welcome). Einat showed me a beautiful national park, Hof HaSharon, right along the coast with incredible views of the Mediterranean. We stood on top of cliffs overlooking the beach and the sea and it was just breathtaking! We said we will go back one evening for the sunset which is probably even more amazing. It's nice to know that I will get to see her more often than just once a year if I would visit Israel.

Today I had an appointment at the Ministry of Absorption to finalize the rest of my paperwork. You have to make an appointment to go and being the American that I am, I arrived 15 minutes early. Bad idea. The woman I was supposed to meet walked out of her office, asked when my appointment was and was shocked because she couldn't believe I would sit and wait. She was not going to start early, which I expected. She then got her coffee and went to go chat with the woman down the hall in her office. Believe me, I understood what they were saying and it wasn't business. Eventually it was time to meet with her and I did all the paperwork. Even though I already had my Teudat Zehut (Israel ID card), now it was really official that I was here and made Aliyah. I got my voucher for ulpan (intensive Hebrew classes) and will start in April.

Some days have been a little rough since I arrived on the 19th. It has been frustrating at times but I have managed to make it through. There is an adjustment period and I am just starting this new life. I have already met some great people here and I know I will meet many more. I am also starting a list of all the little tiyuls (trips) I want to go on within Israel. There is time to get through that list but let me know if you want to join :)