Knowing little about her, I asked Yehudah, who would be taking me the following days down to Ramla if she could join. "How will all your luggage fit?" was all he could say. I figured if we managed to squeeze in the luggage, everything would be okay.
The next day, Lindsay and I decided to spend some time getting to know each other and, after we looked at her luggage over where she was staying, we adventured to the mall. Both having little money, we walked around like middle-schoolers, having their parents drop them off at the entrance on a Saturday. We got along great, and quickly became great friends.
And then, as if it couldn't come soon enough, it was finally October 19th. The day I was to begin my 5-month journey. Yehudah, late as most Israelis are, picked both of us up, and drove us the hour drive (well a little bit shorter) south to the northern part of Ramla.
We were only the 2nd to arrive, entering our house at 3 Herzel St. I was shocked, what a big house, though extremely dirty. It seems Oranim (the program I am going through) passes this house on and on through participants, and we assume it has never had a real cleaning.
A nice wall lines the front, where a fire-pit and table/chairs are. It's actually extremely cute for how old it is. Once inside you are greeted by a huge space. To the left is the living room, with 2 couches, a tv, and lots of room! And to the right is a kitchen, dining room table, and more space!
7 people in total live in the house, with 4 more girls living in an apartment a block away. There is one room with 3 girls, (bunk-beds!) and a bathroom for them! There is Erika, Jackie, and Taylor. All 3 very different, but very great girls!
And then, luck would have it, Lindsay and I were sharing the other room! We share a bathroom with the two boys (a 28 year old from Chicago, and a 20 year old from the Netherlands!). The bathroom is already so dirty and gross, that we don't seem to mind sharing it with them (though we are planning on trying to talk to someone to get rid of the horrible smell).
Lindsay and my room is honestly great, we have plenty of room and a giant mirror! We have even turned a bedside shelf into our "office" space. The beds are ripped and turn apart. The blankets that Yehudah gave us (an extra, lucky enough for Lindsay) do not fit on the extra-long twin beds. The air-vent leaks through and we hear all sounds from the outside, along with being extremely cold. But even with the bedding being anything but perfect, everything is pretty nice! (except the fact, i am writing this on 4 hours of sleep because I could not sleep, and I am waiting for people to wake up...) I'll have to go into a store tomorrow and figure out a better sleeping way!
We've spent the past days going through orientation, and soon we will begin Ulpan (intensive hebrew learning). I am 1 of 2 girls who actually knows the language, so Hila and I will be going twice a week, for 3 hours, to an advance class, while the other kids will spend the first 3 weeks going from 8:30 - 1, 4 days a week.
Nir, our city coordinator, has told me I can go to the class with the kids, on days I don't have my own, so I can practice. I am determined to become fluent.
I am actually shocked how little everyone else knows. I guess after going to a jewish day school and camp for so long, plus learning it in school, I really picked it up. Kids here had no idea that Biet was house, or that Achat was one.
We're going to Tel-Aviv on Thursday for a boat ride with other Oranim kids, and also, Lindays birthday! And I'm planning on staying till Saturday, spending time with an old friend, Keren, who will be at her brothers house! I am really excited to get to explore Tel-Aviv.
There has already been tons of talks about trips we all want to take, and we even found out we get the 8 days of Chanukah off! I am sure we will be traveling a great amount! But since this has all yet to come, I will save the rambling for later. Hopefully I'll take pictures soon and be able to show you what I truly mean by all my descriptions!
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